“Kennedy has overcome so much and is now living her best life, every single day.” – Kim, Four Diamonds mom
Discovering Your Child Has Cancer
In early 2019, Kennedy had been vomiting and complaining of headaches for a few weeks. However, it was flu season and common for three-year olds to catch a stomach bug, so extended family members told Kennedy’s parents, Kim and Nathan, not to panic. On Sunday, March 31, 2019, Kennedy and her family were getting ready to head out for their weekly grocery run. As they were leaving, Kennedy was walking along some stones bordering their front garden area pretending it was a balance beam, as she often did. Kim noticed that Kennedy was unsteady as she walked and had a feeling this was more serious than a typical illness. Kim was persistent with doctors at a local hospital and advocated for them to order an MRI.
The MRI results showed a golf ball sized tumor growing in the back of Kennedy’s brain, later to be diagnosed as medulloblastoma. Kim, Nathan and Kennedy were immediately transferred to Penn State Health Children’s Hospital.
Cancer: A Family Affair
Kennedy’s entire extended family poured into the inpatient room once Kennedy had arrived in Hershey.
“There was never an occasion we didn’t all gather for, so I was taken off guard when a nurse said to me, ‘Wow, I have never seen so many supporting family members.’ I told her, ‘This is what we do.’ Every single one of us, from the oldest to the youngest, did our part – no hesitation.” – Carol, Kennedy’s grandmother.
The next morning, Kennedy was having vision problems. Due to the location of the tumor, it was putting pressure on her brainstem and blocking the cerebral spinal fluid from cycling through as normal. This was causing a buildup, especially around her eyes. A drain was placed in Kennedy’s brain to relieve this pressure before continuing with the plan of surgery to remove her tumor. Doctors warned Kim and Nathan that the location of Kennedy’s tumor was very dangerous and there was a chance that after surgery, Kennedy would lose the ability to see or speak.
Once another MRI was obtained, Kennedy was cleared for surgery, which lasted around eight hours. Kennedy’s family nervously waited in the waiting area, but were relieved and grateful to receive some good news. Kennedy’s surgeon was able to remove the entire tumor and believed that it was localized, meaning it had not spread to her spine. She would need to have multiple spinal taps throughout her journey to confirm that no cancerous cells had spread, but for now, a much needed victory!
Moving Forward Together
Kennedy was able to return home for a week before heading back to Hershey for inpatient chemotherapy. She explained to family, “Guess what? I’m going to the hospital again. I have to be there a long time. The doctors and nurses are going to make me better. And guess what? All my hair is going to fall out!”
Kim and Kennedy spent the next four months inpatient at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital, while Kennedy endured multiple rounds of chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant. The first two months were rough; Kennedy endured a lot of pain and went through a period where she was scared of anyone hugging or touching her. However, in between her last chemo cycle and her transplant, she started to feel more like herself again and welcomed all of her family with open arms.
Family would visit Kennedy every day, as long as her doctors approved visitors. Kim stayed with Kennedy in her hospital room for the entire four months of her inpatient treatment. Nathan traveled back and forth, as he had to continue to work, take care of their home and try to keep some normalcy in the life of their oldest daughter, Kassidy. For the four of them, not being able to navigate this part of their journey together was difficult. The constant support of their extended family helped get them through.
Kennedy was cleared to return home and declared cancer free on July 24, 2019, just one day before her fourth birthday! She got to celebrate with her family, who were finally all back under the same roof again.
The Impact of Four Diamonds and Penn State THON™
Four Diamonds’ funded care specialists were a huge highlight of Kennedy’s journey. She loved participating in art and music therapy, but her favorite visitor was Becky, one of Penn State Health Children’s Hospital facility dogs. Becky was a huge motivator for Kennedy when she was working on walking or when she needed medicine, and she even continued to visit Kennedy during some of her clinic visits.
Another highlight was Penn State THON and being paired with an organization. Kennedy started her journey with Penn State New Kensington, but this past year was adopted by a special interest organization called, Hershey Kisses.
“For those who have danced. For those that aren’t sure if they’ve made a difference. For those that fight for children, like ours. You’ve made a difference. You’ve allowed more hugs. More kisses. More memories. More growing up.” – Kim, Four Diamonds mom.
Living Life Five Years Cancer Free
This past July, Kennedy was able to celebrate a huge milestone in her journey – five years cancer free! The support of family, friends, community members, doctors, specialty care professionals, her THON organization, Hershey Kisses, the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation, Penn State Women’s Soccer, Penn State Women’s Gymnastics and Four Diamonds is what has allowed Kennedy to reach this milestone. While there were ups and downs throughout Kennedy’s cancer journey – some setbacks and side effects of her treatments – the support her family felt was unwavering. There aren’t enough words to describe the gratitude Kennedy’s family has for everyone who helped care and pray for her throughout the past five years.
To celebrate her ninth birthday and five years cancer free milestone, Kennedy went to the beach with her parents and sister...and she loved every moment! She is now getting ready to start fourth grade. Her smile lights up the room. She is a wild child, incredibly smart and sweet, but with the perfect touch of sass! She loves swimming, spending time with her friends and family and playing with her dog, Cheyenne, and three guinea pigs, Mocha, Brookie and Squeakers.
Congratulations on five years cancer free, Kennedy! We are so proud of you!
To learn more about how Four Diamonds helps families like Kennedy’s while facing childhood cancer, click here.