#SouthernStrong
Tuesday, April 16, 2024
BEST NEWS!!!!
Sunday, April 9, 2023
Kaylee's First Annual Appointment 4/7/23
This was the first time since her diagnosis Kaylee has went a year between scans. She had an MRI two weeks ago and we went in to St. Jude Huntsville to find out the results and the game plan going forward. We got great news! Her scan was completely clear! There were no signs of tumors, cysts, or masses of any type. This is what we all thought was going to happen but it is such a relief to hear it in person. They drew Kaylee's blood for tumor markers and consulted with her doctor in Memphis. It was decided that Kaylee will come back in one year for another MRI. As long as everything continues to look good after that they may switch her imaging to ultrasounds. It was fantastic news! They are going to continue to monitor her for a few years but everything is going like we hoped.
Kaylee is doing great. She is still loving soccer. She plays for the Sparkman High School Varsity team. Kaylee was recently inducted into Beta Club and will be inducted into National Honor Society this week. We are so grateful for all of the prayers and positive vibes sent her way. Thank you all so much!
Thursday, October 20, 2022
St. Jude Huntsville Appointment 9/14/22
All in all, it was a great appointment. They gave Kaylee a t-shirt and invited her to an event for St. Jude kids next week at Insanity Skate.
Thursday, March 31, 2022
Wonderful News!
Kaylee went in last week for her 6 month MRI earlier than was planned because she was experiencing a little intermittent abdominal pain. She had her MRI here in Huntsville with a follow up appointment at our local St. Jude affiliate. The scans would also be reviewed by Dr. Murphy and his team at St. Jude in Memphis. We were all very nervous about this because last time they let us know they were watching a spot on Kaylee's reconstructed ovary and she had complained of some pain.
The news we got could not have been any better!!!
The spot they were watching turned out to be a follicular cyst (perfectly normal) and has all but disappeared. She is still cancer free and everything looks good! She will transition from following up in Memphis to follow up here at the St. Jude affiliate in Huntsville. Kaylee won't have to have any more scans for a year.
We are all very relieved and excited about this news! Kaylee was almost giddy when we told her while eating tacos at her favorite taco place, Mi Mexico Comida Casera. You could see the weight lifted off her shoulders. Thanks everyone for your continued thoughts, prayers, and support!!!
Monday, November 15, 2021
Not the Best News/ Not the Worst
We traveled to Memphis Thursday 11/11/21 for a routine scan and visit with Kaylee's doctor at St. Jude. It was Veterans Day so Kaylee didn't have to miss school. We were hoping to not have to come back for a year or possibly get transferred to follow-up at St. Jude Huntsville. Unfortunately, you don't always get what you want. St. Jude found a spot on Kaylee's reconstructed ovary that they want to continue to monitor. It is 2 cm and has grown since the last MRI. Dr. Murphy feels that it is another benign tumor. The new plan is to come back in 6 months for more scans. If it continues to grow, we will have to discuss surgical options.
Needless to say this is not what Kaylee wanted to hear. However, she took the news like a trooper. She continues to amaze us! Don't know how we ended up with such a great and resilient kid!
Kaylee showing off her fancy socks
In other news, Kaylee tried out for high school soccer this week and made the team. She will play on the JV team this year. We are super proud of this kiddo!
Wednesday, July 14, 2021
St. Jude Fundraiser
Kaylee is planning to run in her 1st St. Jude 5k in Memphis on Dec 3rd. She will be running through the very campus where she had surgery and recovery. We are so very grateful to be giving back to St. Jude! She still has a few visits to St. Jude prior to the run; where we are hopeful for continued good progress.
Those of you who know Kaylee, know she loves to people! She loves hanging with her friends. She is looking forward to attending Sparkman High School and playing club soccer this fall.
If you want to donate, here is a link to her page:
Tuesday, April 27, 2021
St. Jude Visit
We made our way to St. Jude last Thursday and Friday. Kaylee had bloodwork Thursday and then several appointments Friday. We got a phone call from St. Jude while we were in route to Memphis and the lady happened to ask if Kaylee had braces (she didn't have them the last time we were there). They said Kaylee had to have the wire removed from her braces before the MRI. Luckily, the St. Jude dentist was available to remove it first thing Friday morning. We stopped and ate lunch in Germantown with Amanda and Jeremy at The Commissary (great BBQ). Then Kaylee had her bloodwork done at St. Jude.
Friday, April 16, 2021
04/16/2021 St. Jude Follow-Up Visit
This April 22nd and 23rd, we will make a short trip to Memphis for Kaylee's 6 month follow-up. She will have some blood work, an MRI, and a visit with her doctor, Dr. Murphy. Only one parent is allowed at a time on campus (due to Covid) but they have given us the go ahead to stay off campus in a local hotel so we can all three go up there together. Kaylee is nervous about this visit. She said every time she gets new scans she has to have another surgery. We have learned that we never know what is going to happen but are very hopeful that she gets the all clear this visit.
Kaylee finished her middle school soccer season recently. Her MMS team came in second in the county. She is looking forward to playing high school soccer for Sparkman High next year. She has her 14th birthday coming up and we have some vacation plans for the summer. We are all looking forward to good things in 2021!
Friday, February 5, 2021
One Year Anniversary
Sunday, October 25, 2020
Life Is Good!
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IV Started on Day 1 |
On the morning of October 6th, we walked over to the hospital to Pre-Op from the Tri Delta Place where we were staying. Kaylee was given a purple warming pad, they call The Hot Dog. Keith and I were able to stay in pre-op with her and then I was able to dress in scrubs and go with Kaylee into the operating room. Soon she was given the "sleepy milk" and I was escorted to the waiting room where Keith and I would spend the next 4 hours.
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Hot Dog warming pad before surgery |
The nurse from the operating room called us every hour to give us updates on the progress. Dr. Murphy came to the waiting room to explain how the surgery was a success. They were unable to do the surgery laparoscopic due to the complexity and size of the mass. Her main incision scar is most similar to that of a C-section. He explained her mass was large and grew directly inside the Right ovary. He described the removal process was like peeling an orange and removing the inside, with the skin peel needing to be sewn back together and formed to resemble an ovary. During surgery they discovered 2 additional abnormal cysts, of which both were removed and biopsied. He felt confident he was able to save her ovary and there was still good blood flow. A six month follow up will be needed in Memphis.
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Surgeon's Drawing of Kaylee's ovaries |
About 1pm they made the final call that welcomed us back to recovery. We were able to see Kaylee as she was coming out of anesthesia. WOW was she funny! She had us laughing and we needed that. Soon we were all escorted to the 5th floor Room 14. This is where we would spend the next few days.
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Being comforted by her soccer quilt |
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Kaylee getting exercise |
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Our view of The Pyramid at Bass Pro Shops |
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Our favorite dining table at St. Jude |
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Clinic visit before heading home! |
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Kaylee spent this Saturday at Lyons Farms with some of her soccer family. |
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Enjoying a turkey leg at Lyons Farms |
The love that has been sent our way has been overwhelming! We couldn’t possibly begin to thank everyone here. We do greatly appreciate all of the prayers, thoughts, kind words, food, cards, and many other things that people have sent our way. The Southerns know we are blessed and we appreciate you all greatly! #southernstrong
Wednesday, September 16, 2020
9/16/2020 Memphis Bound
On Tuesday 09/15/2020, we started the day with an 8AM appointment at Tennessee Valley Gynecologic Oncology with Dr, Kirby. The MRI results noted "the cyst demonstrates and enhancing, mural nodularity within the caudal aspect of the cyst. The nodules demonstrate no evidence of fat signal, calcium or ossification. A representative mural nodule measures approximately 9 mm in greatest dimension. There are thin (1 mm), enhancing septations within the superior aspect of the cyst."
So what does all that really mean? She has a cyst on her right ovary that needs to be surgically removed. Dr. Kirby has been working closely with Dr. Daves at St. Jude Clinic-Huntsville. Together with her team of doctors at St. Jude-Memphis, they have developed a treatment plan. Although we don't have all the answers, we feel confident the doctors will do what is best for Kaylee. They are planning to do the surgery laparoscopic, unless there are complications after they begin. Since she has had two recent surgeries, there is a lot of scar tissue to work around. They will bag the specimen and send for biopsy. The pathology results will then dictate the next step in treatment. This should be an easier recovery than the right hemicolectomy.
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Kaylee being silly! |
Recent changes at the Memphis campus now allow 2 parents to accompany the patient. This news was a relief to all of us. We are scheduled to arrive in Memphis on October 5th at 11AM where we will all three be COVID tested and complete registration. We will have a place to stay there on campus. Surgery will take place October 6th and she will stay the night in the hospital that night. If all goes well, she will be released and stay with us in on campus accommodations Wednesday night. On Thursday, she will have an appointment with the team and if all looks well, she will be discharged home.
Kaylee had a volleyball game Tuesday night and we talked with a representative from St; Jude to confirm the above information while Kaylee warmed up for the game. It wasn't until after the game, that the most amazing thing happened. Sparkman Middle's volleyball Coach, Kayla Jefferson and the entire 8th grade team, approached the MMS girls and they presented Kaylee with gifts and a huge card with the girls' favorite motivational quotes. It was a beautiful, touching moment and the best display of sportsmanship we had ever witnessed. What no one knew, is that day Kaylee was told that she will for sure have a 3rd surgery at St. Jude Hospital in Memphis soon. The love that was expressed to her was priceless.![]() |
Kaylee holding the gifts and card from SMS volleyball team |
As for Kaylee, she is in good spirits overall. Some days are more difficult that others. We often talk openly as a family about our feelings and I believe this helps. During the weeks prior to surgery, Kaylee will be able to finish her school volleyball season and play in a few more club soccer games with her AYSO United team.
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AYSO UNITED 07G |
Thank you all for your support during this journey!
#southernstrong