I can hardly believe it was one year ago today that Kimball received his first chemotherapy treatment at Primary Children's Medical Center. Here is what he looked like on that day, sweet, precious thing:
With time, his tumor has shrunk. Usually, it seems so gradual to me that I can't tell from one month to the next how much it's changed, but when I see pictures of him at this age and compare them to how he looks now, it really is quite dramatic.To sum up for anyone wondering if Kimball is done with treatments: yes, he is. He had his last chemotherapy in June, and his last dose of steroids (hallelujah!) in September, which is also when he had his last MRI. At that point, the Dr. B said he didn't see a lot of shrinkage of the hemangioma yet, but that in nearly all cases shrinkage begins around one year of age.
To us, it looks like either the tumor has shrunk, or Kimball has grown into it a little bit. The redness is about the same, but we know that should fade within a few years. Dr. B recommended another MRI at the beginning of the year, but told us he wouldn't resume treatment, regardless of the results. We feel that Kimball is doing well and don't want to put him through the trauma of sedation needlessly (and heaven knows we don't need anymore medical bills), so I think we are done at Primary Children's. But we will always love and be indebted to all of those who worked with us there.
When Kimball was initially misdiagnosed with lymphoma, Jordan and I wondered how any of this could be for our good, especially poor little Kimball's. The year of 2009 was a hard one for us, but we were grateful to see the end of the treatments so soon. And now we can see that this experience has blessed our lives immensely. Among many blessings, we are stronger as a family and love and appreciate Kimball with more love and appreciation than our hearts can contain. 2010 promises to be an amazing and eventful year, and with things looking up, we are so thrilled to have our little toddler along for the ride, healthy and full of sparkle and pizzazz!
Thank you friends and family who loved and supported us through that scary time. You meant more to us than you will know!
13 comments:
He sure is growing up fast. And a handsome little guy at that.
Thanks for the wonderful post sweet heart. It brightens my day to see Kimball, even if I can't be home. I love the pictures on Grandma B.'s porch. He looks like a little boy/little man.
Love you!
Wow! I can not believe how big this little boy is getting. I am so glad that you are starting to see shrinkage in his tumor. Eventually, this will all be so far in the past that you will have to look at old outdated pictures to see if it was really true. (At least that is my hope for you and your too cute family!)
Love you guys!!!
I can't believe it's been a year since Kimball started his treatment. Time has flown by! I'm just so thankful that he is doing well now.
Give Kimball a big hug from me for being such a brave boy this last year, and have him give you both a big hug for being such wonderful and loving parents. :)
My heart is bursting with happiness for our family! And I'm so glad that you are able to look back on this past year with a sense of relief, yes, but also with a sense of having weather a horrendous storm and now you (and me too) are all stronger for it and more grateful than ever for the blessing that is our sweet Kimball. I love you all more than I can say.
Oh! Your November pictures couldn't be cuter!!! I think my favorite of the bunch is the one of Kimball giving his mommy a GREAT, BIG open-mouthed kiss!!! Kiss, kiss to you!
Wow, can't believe Kimball has grown up so much! The outfit also makes him look so mature! I'm so happy that he is done with treatments, and that you will have less stress in 2010.
I can't believe it's been a year already. I'm so glad that everything turned out okay and that Kimball is able to have a full and healthy life! He's so cute and I would've missed watching him grow up via your blog.
PS - As always, I love your pictures!
Christine, that will be our motto: "Less Stress in 2010!"
Wow, so much has changed in a year! And Kimball handled it all like a Champ (you guys did too). He is such a cute kid. I think in your situation I would also opt not to do another MRI- we've been there too and it is hard on the baby and on the parents. Anyway, it is obvious that Kimball is happy and doing great- thanks for sharing your experiences and pictures with us!
He is just growing up way too fast! He doesn't have that baby look anymore! He's a big kid now! Sending lots of love and best wishes for 2010!
I’m glad to hear that Kimball is healthy and I love the green flannel jacket! It makes him look so grown up.
i cant believe he's walking and everything! Time really does fly! it's been a while since i've seen ya'll. miss ya lots!
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