Help Kinley Heal- Battling Leukemia
Our niece Kinley, 7 years old began having swollen lymph nodes with no other symptoms. The tests the doctors ran showed no signs of infection. It seemed like an average every day cold or virus, until an increased pattern of nodules on her neck and behind her ear kept showing up. Last week, with her parents increased concern, the next step was to remove some of the lymph nodes and have them biopsied, just to be safe.
The worst news imaginable as a parent; the biopsy came back positive for cancer, Kinley’s parents rushed her to PCMC. The following day, a bone marrow biopsy revealed acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common form of childhood cancer. Within 24 hours of diagnosis, Kinley got a port placed in her chest as an access point for chemotherapy, which they started right away.
The treatment road over the next several months will be a bumpy ride for Kinley, who used to spend her time excited to go to 1st grade, riding her bike, playing outside with her friends, playing with her siblings and cousins, playing baseball and doing gymnastics, Kinley’s first inpatient stay, so far, has included several doses of steroids and chemo. We are told by her doctors she will likely not be able to return to school for at least two months, something she has thoroughly loved.
All in all, her parents are doing their best to stay positive as they have a four-year-old son and a one-year old daughter who misses their sister greatly. They will be missing a ton of work and have to pay 20% of the medical bills.
Kinley has been super-heroic and brave. She has a ton of energy and such a positive personality and outlook on life. Life for the next six to nine months will include a long drive to PCMC from their home in Spanish Fork for weekly Chemotherapy treatment. We are hoping to help make life more bearable for her parents so they don’t have to worry about the finances while being there to support their daughter and take care of their two younger children. We are hoping and praying Kinley will grow up to be happy and healthy for years to come.
