|
UPDATE - January 2012
On January 5th, Kyra's MRI showed that the tumor looks slightly smaller than it did in October. YAY!! We have been trying a couple homeopathic methods suggested to us by a friend and we will continue to use them to see if they are making a difference.
So...we continue to wait. We will have MRI's every three months to track change (or lack of change) and will make decisions accordingly.
At this time, we are comfortable not starting treatment and pray that future MRI's will allow us to put off chemo as long as possible.
Thank you for your continued support and prayers!
UPDATE - December 2011
Come meet the Dinkins family and support an amazing little girl!
The Hope for Kyra Benefit Concert will take place on Saturday, January 28, at the Castle Rock Rec Center. Event time is 7:30pm and will feature 2 local bands and a raffle for separate prizes. Ticket prices are $15 per person or $25 per couple. Food and drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) will be by donation.
For ticket information please contact Bonnie Kilman at (720) 849-6162.
UPDATE - November 2011
After consulting with Kyra's doctor, we have decided that it is not necessary to begin chemotherapy immediately. There is a very low risk that it would be detrimental to wait and currently Kyra is not displaying any significant symptoms associated with the tumor. In January, she will have another MRI to see whether the tumor is growing or sustaining. At that time we will decide whether to continue to put off treatment or if we will begin chemo.
We have discussed the type of chemo Kyra will eventually begin. It will be a very aggressive, very high dose given every 6 weeks. It will be very tough on her little body. Most likely her counts will drop significantly, she will probably lose her hair and of course, our favorite, NAUSEA!! The doctor said that she will be extremely fatigued and most kids are only able to make it through a half day of school.
Unfortunately, since we don't truly have a diagnosis, we don't have any information regarding the effectiveness of the treatment. We are hoping for a cure, as our next step would most likely be radiation of the entire brain and spine.
Once again, we ask for your continued prayers!!
UPDATE - October 2011
After more than a year in remission, Kyra had a reoccurrence 8 weeks ago. At that time, we began a chemo regimen typical of those used for returning tumors. After 6 weeks on that regimen, an MRI showed that the chemo was not working and the tumor had actually grown in size to cover much more area in her brain. She showed tumor in both lateral ventricles, as well as the third and fourth ventricles, and in a portion of her spinal cord. Kyra’s oncologist recommended performing a biopsy to determine a new course of action. Last Monday, Kyra had a biopsy at Children’s Hospital. The procedure went well, however the results were inconclusive. Kyra’s tumor has certain characteristics of different tumors but does not fit neatly into any diagnostic category. Unfortunately, this means we don’t have any information regarding treatment or its efficacy with this type of tumor. As of now, the oncologist is recommending a very aggressive chemotherapy treatment. Other options were also presented so, as a family, we have some tough decisions ahead. Another meeting with the doctor next week will provide a definite plan of action and a time frame for treatment. Kyra is doing quite well. She is back at school (luckily all of this conveniently occurred while she was on fall break!) and although she gets pretty tired by the end of the day, she is handling all of this in true Kyra form…with strength and grace! She is a little older and wiser this time around, which is good and bad. Good because she knows how to handle everything and she isn’t scared. Bad because she is asking so many more questions now. It’s all very difficult to explain to an eight year old. Thank you to everyone who has provided us with financial assistance, prayers, dinners or just a sympathetic ear. God has truly given us all the tools to get through this. I read something a few weeks ago that has stayed with me. ”God doesn’t promise a smooth passage, just a safe landing.” He has something amazing in store for her. I just know it. Continue to pray that we are able to make the right decisions for Kyra, and that we have the strength to get her through the very difficult journey ahead. We are blessed to have such a strong support system and so many people praying for her!! | We have also joined a fundraising site to help tell Kyra's story and spread the word about her need. If you get the chance, please visit www.giveforward.com/HopeForKyra. |  |
UPDATE - September 2010
Kyra is doing beautifully! Her last MRI in June showed little to no signs of tumor in her brain and spine. She will have scans every three months for the next year or so and then will switch to once a year MRI's.
Our family just got back from our Make-A-Wish trip to DisneyWorld and had an amazing time! Kyra was treated like a princess the entire time and rode as many roller coasters as she possibly could. She got to meet the Disney Princesses and Fairies and of course, Mickey and Minnie! She had a complete princess makeover at the Bippity Boppity Boutique and was breathtakingly beautiful! We are all exhausted but have wonderful, fond memories of our time together as a family!
Physically and mentally, Kyra is back on track and has started second grade. She loves school and is doing quite well. It's amazing what she can do without all of those nasty medications to cloud her little brain! Finally, our Kyra is a typical happy, HEALTHY little girl!
Please continue to pray that God will keep Kyra healthy. Thanks again for all of your love and support!
UPDATE - February 2010
Kyra is currently in her eleventh month of chemotherapy and is hanging in there! She has had some obstacles along the way and has had to stop taking one of her chemo meds due to severe neuropathy in her hands and feet. She is scheduled for chemo through the month of April unless her body tells us that she has had enough. She has shown some signs that she may have reached her toxicity level. However, in recent months she has gained weight and looks like a healthy, typical 6 year old.
Kyra's most recent MRI in December showed a significant reduction in her tumor size (it is less than 20% of it's original size) and no signs of the metastasis that had "floated" into her ventricles and spinal cord. GREAT NEWS!!!
The doctors informed us that the main mass may never be completely gone but as long as it maintains it's current size, it should calcify when Kyra's bones stop growing and should not cause any problems. There is a 30% chance of reoccurrence and we would simply resume chemotherapy at that time since we know that it is effective.
The Make a Wish Foundation has approved our family for a trip to DisneyWorld in August and we are really looking forward to rewarding Kyra for her strength and for not giving up her fight!!
Thank you to everyone who has prayed for us and supported us. We are so blessed to have such an amazing family and so many wonderful friends!!
UPDATE - 5/19/09
We are happy to announce the launch of a new online auction! The Hope for Kyra online auction will run from May 20, 2009 to June 3, 2009, with proceeds going to Kyra to help with medical bills and other necessary expenses. The more items we have, the more money we can raise, so we're asking for your help! Auction items range from exotic vacation getaways to donated items guaranteed to delight and surprise. So, tell your friends, family, and community. Take me to the auction!
UPDATE - 3/27/09
Kyra is doing beautifully after her surgery in Memphis and is healing nicely. Within a day of being back home in Colorado she was riding her bike and laughing with her family and friends! She will be starting chemotherapy at Children's Hospital in Denver on April 2nd. Her treatment will continue over the next 14 months, at the end of which there is a 50% chance that she will be cured! Her type of tumor requires a very low dose of chemotherapy which means that she should not lose her hair or become nauseous after treatments. Her long term prognosis is very promising as the survival rate from this particular cancer is about 98% over 20 years if it is maintained and does not grow or spread without treatment. She will have regular MRI's to monitor the tumor and we will continue to pray that the tumor shrinks in size or completely dissolves!
Obviously this is WONDERFUL news for Kyra, and the Dinkins family! Candi has said many times that it is the prayers and good thoughts that have made all the difference for Kyra. It will be a long 14 months, but Kyra has taken everything that has come her way with such grace and such courage. So please keep all the good thoughts and prayers coming. We are looking forward to celebrating Kyra's cure in 14 months time!
Blessings!
HopeForKyra.org
UPDATE - 3/1/09
HopeForKyra.org sends all of our love to Kyra, Candi and Eric as they head off to St Jude's Children's Hospital! Kyra will undergo a series of diagnostic tests which will determine the best course of treatment for her.
St. Jude's has long been known as a place where miracles happen, and we are all certain that Kyra will be one of those miracles! We know that the Dinkins family joins us in expressing our gratitude to everyone who donated their time, talent and money to the Hope For Kyra Benefit and Silent Auction held last month. The event was a huge success, raising over $12,000!
Kyra's Mommy has promised to keep us updated as they learn more about Kyra's condition during their time at St. Jude's. In the meantime, please keep Kyra, Candi, Eric and Matthew in your thoughts and prayers. Thank You once again for having Hope For Kyra.
HopeForKyra Benefit and Silent Auction - January 26th
The HopeForKyra Benefit and Silent Auction was a booming success! We'll get some photos up ASAP.
121 people attended the event (Full House!) $9,370 - Revenue from the auction $3,570 - Amount from ticket sales that went to HopeForKyra $12,940 Total RaisedWe had a tremendous turnout and everyone had a great time! Many warm thanks to Jimmy’s Steakhouse and Jammin' DJs for helping make the event such a resounding success. Thanks again!!
We want to give a special thanks to all of the businesses and individuals who have donated items for our silent auction. We are very grateful for your support.
|
