McKenna's story

When McKenna was 9, a week before Christmas 2006, her mom noticed some unexplained bruises on McKenna’s legs, arms, and back. Then one night her nose started to bleed. They couldn’t get it to stop bleeding so they took her to the emergency room. They cauterized her nose and did some blood tests. Her blood cell counts were off so they immediately sent her up to Primary Children’s Hospital. They did test after test and tested her bone marrow and found out that she has a rare type of leukemia.

They immediately started her on chemo which she received 24 hours a day non stop for 7 days. She spent time in the ICU, she was on oxygen, and receiving blood transfusions, she was sicker than you could ever imagine. This all happened over Christmas and New Years. She was at Primary Children’s for about 6 weeks. One of the most memorable nights was the night we realized her hair was falling out so much that it was time to just shave it. This was one of the most difficult parts since she had such thick beautiful straight hair. Although after we shaved it she was just as, if not more, beautiful than before with her gorgeous skin, knockout smile and sparkly eyes. McKenna’s attitude was amazing throughout this whole process. She never complained, she stayed positive and optimistic even when everyone around her was breaking down.

The day she finally got to come home was one of the happiest days. She continued with chemo but on an outpatient basis. She was on chemo meds and having test after test for another year. But after that year was over and she was cancer free…we partied!

Her hair grew back over time and is now curly, curly, curly and down to the middle of her back. Looking back at that difficult year there were some very positive things that came out of it. McKenna was able to be a part of the Make a Wish Foundation. Her wish was for a Yorkie puppy. The morning news show Studio 5 did a story on Mckenna and surprised her on TV with her wish…her little Yorkie puppy, JoJo. Holmes Homes also chose McKenna and her wish to decorate a bedroom for the Parade of Homes. They also surprised her with a little friend for JoJo, a Yorkie she named Harley. McKenna loves animals. She takes care of these dogs like they are her kids, and the dogs love her and are lost when she’s not around.

McKenna spent this last summer camping with her family, getting ready for 7th grade and being a mom to JoJo and her four new puppies. Things seemed to be going great and she was feeling quite well. She goes in for routine blood tests every 2-3 months, but on her last check-up, July 28, 2009; it showed that the cancer has come back, just one year after being cancer free.

They admitted her and started the chemo again. Because of the high doses of chemo she received the first time, and because it is a rare form of leukemia, they are trying a fairly new treatment and giving her arsenic. It made her very sick, and it was about a week before she felt well enough to come home. She travels to Primary Children’s five days a week for blood tests, tests on her heart, and her chemo treatments. The trip takes about 5 hours a day and is “very boring” but you’ll never hear McKenna complain about it. She is always smiling and optimistic even when she’s not feeling well.

We have high hopes that this treatment will work and get rid of those cancer cells, but she will still need a bone marrow transplant this fall. Luckily her sister Madison is a match for her bone marrow and she doesn’t have to go on a waiting list for a donor.

When we found out the cancer was back it was devastating for all of us. It is harder to beat the second time and we know it’s going to be a long road. But sweet McKenna’s initial reaction wasn’t for herself but for her brothers and sisters and how it will affect them. She is staying positive and happy. She is excited they are letting her go to school for a half day as long as her immune system and blood counts stay up.

We are thankful to a wonderful ward family, neighborhood, and friends who support us and take good care of us. We are thankful to Heavenly Father for His tender mercies and the ways he has blessed our family. We are thankful to Heavenly Father for McKenna and for the joy she brings to our lives, for her example, and for her sweet spirit.

Thank you to all and we know…

McKenna can!