New
Pictures
(click to enlarge) |
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added
1/14/05
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to Lauren's Medical Fund |
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| Facts
about JMML |
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Lauren
has been diagnosed with JMML, Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia.
Patients
with JMML respond poorly to most standard chemotherapy regimens
and, whereas stem cell transplantation is the only known curative
approach, even this modality is hampered by high relapse rates.
- BioMed
Central
Unfortunately,
JMML has been resistant to chemotherapy. Improvement in survival
does occur after stem cell transplantation from a compatible
sibling, but a cure is uncommon. A minority of patients will
have a prolonged course for one to three years but, thereafter,
rapidly progress to life threatening complications. - The
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
JMML
is most common in children under four years of age. As with
many types of cancers, we do not yet know the cause of JMML.
As leukemia cells multiply in the bone marrow, fewer normal
blood cells are made. If there are not enough normal blood
cells the body cannot function normally. - Cancer
Research UK
Symptoms
include:
Feeling tired and lethargic
Bruising easily
Nosebleeds
Bleeding gums
Fever
Frequent infections
Enlarged liver and spleen
Swollen lymph nodes
Skin rashes
Small yellowish skin tumours - Cancer
Research UK
Blood
Counts and
Record Keeping
How
Stuff Works:
Donating Blood
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Checks to: |
Lauren's
Medical Fund
AR# 004165042297
Bank of America
17410 E. 24 Highways
Independence, MO 64056 |
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| News and Updates |
THIRD TIMES A CHARM CELEBRATION
posted by
Aunt Kara
Apr 17, 2008 - Come Celebrate Lauren's Third 100 Days Post Transplant April 26th at 6:00pm in Atherton.
Lauren would like to invite everyone to participate in a Pink and Purple Desert PotLuck.
More importantly, come so that we can give back to those who have supported us thru the last five years.
Caution: Come only if you are not sick and have not been around anyone else who is sick. Lauren is still under Quarentine and will need as many safeguards as we can put in place.
Because it is an important milestone, we wanted to take this opportunity to demonstrate how much we value the love and support we've recieved from everyone.
Call, E-mail or PM for directions, if needed.
Love, Lauren's Aunt Karalee
Comments ( 0 )
"I'm Free! I'm Free!" Lauren Says
posted by
Aunt Kara
Mar 05, 2008 - Lauren packed up and went home today. She was beyond jubulent, as only an eight year old girl who's been locked up in a hospital for two months can be. Walking out of the Bone Marrow Unit for the last time was elating! Jason and Katie were just both exhausted, but grateful to get back home. At least they were able to go home to a sparkling clean house.
Getting back to a 'normal' life will not be easy and there will be fewer posts on this site, but don't hesitate to call, write or post. We are already planning a big 100 + day party to celebrate Lauren and Kodi's triumph. Lauren and the rest of the family have some special surprises planned as a thank you to everyone for their love and dedication over the last four years.
Stay tuned for party details. Day 100 is April 25, but that is a Friday and we might plan it for the 26th, day 101, to have more time. So PENCIL the dates in on your calender.
Sieze the Day! Celebrate Life! Live in the Moment! Count Your Blessings! Create your Legacy! "Everyday is a Gift You've Been Given, Make the Most of the Time every Moment your Living!" Life is Good. Spring is full of HOPE!
Love to all, Lauren's Aunt Karalee
Comments ( 1 )
MIRACLE DAY
posted by
Aunt Kara
Jan 16, 2008 - Like a baseball player calling for his shot, today I’ve decided to call for a Miracle. Its D-Day # 3: Lauren’s Third Transplant of Kodi’s cells: Third Times a Charm. They have gotten Kodi’s cells out, frozen and stored from last year’s transplant, and have thawed and prepared it for Lauren. The procedure is planned to begin at 11:00 AM this morning. She’s had three days of radiation and four days of chemo. She’s had more energy than most and has reigned as Princess Lauren with grace and courage, and today is the day that her sick, diseased cancerous cells get the message that they are not allowed to come back, ever 
Lauren is 8 in 2008. Last week, she figured out what year it would be if she lived to be 100 and three months. So she’s got a goal, with lots of hopes and dreams to fill in the time between now and then. She has a childlike faith and a trust that God will take care of her. Today is the beginning of her miracle. She’s got a lot of bases to run and points to rack up, but I believe that she is going to win the game. Please join me in praying for Lauren’s Miracle and cheering her on to victory
Lauren's Aunt Kara
Comments ( 0 )
Quick Note & Link to Picutres.
posted by
Aunt Kara
Jan 08, 2008 - There is a link to New Pictures under the Picture of Lauren and Kodi after the 1st transplant Pic. Enjoy. Lauren's Aunt Karalee
Comments ( 0 )
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Website
created and maintained by James
Newberry. Please contact me if you have
any questions regarding the legitimacy of this site. Personally identifiable
information has been omitted by request of the family. |
Dear Friends, Family, and Visitors |
 I write to you on behalf of my brother, Jason, and his wife, Katie. Their daughter has been afflicted with what her doctors believe to be a rare and particularly virulent form of leukemia called JMML (Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia). The outcome is uncertain at best. Recommended treatment is both intense and extensive, and while doctors from all over the country deliberate about how to treat her, my niece lays in a bed on the Oncology Ward and wonders what she'll get for her birthday.
Her name is Lauren McKenzie, and she was born on September 27th, 1999.
 Her siblings, Cole (6), Kodi (3), and Logan (2), have waited at their new home without seeing their parents for days on end. They are struggling to be good, to do their part to help Lauren get better. They ask about her every day, and make crafts for her to hang in the hospital room, but are fast becoming more emotional the longer they go without needed attention from their parents.
I know the responsibility weighs greatly on my brother. He has been attempting to continue working 50 hours a week and still be at the hospital with Lauren and Katie as much as possible. If he could fit the other children in and do away with sleep he would, but of course that’s unrealistic. As it is, I don’t think he’s been able to sleep more than two or three hours a night. The emotional and physical demands of these sad circumstances are obvious, as are also the financial demands of Lauren’s treatment.
 There are so many of you who have asked how you could help over the last few days and weeks, but there hasn’t been much of an answer as everyone in the family has struggled to get a grasp on this new and terrible trial. Now, with a better understanding of the proscribed chemotherapy and bone marrow treatment, our family has been able to pinpoint some areas where help is need and coordinate a support system.
Your prayers are requested more than anything else, that her life might be spared; but any financial contributions would be appreciated as well, and accepted gratefully. Even a donation of only $5 will go a long way. Thank you in advance for your prayers and the support that you have extended to my family already, just by showing up.
God Bless,
Aunt Kara |
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