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Kevin's Cure Welcome to our Child Web Page. It has been provided to keep people updated about our Child.
When Kevin was 7 years old, he was diagnosed with "Common Variable Immunodeficiency" and restrictive lung disease. He was not thriving. A recommendation was made by his Pediatrician, Dr. Peter Januzzi, to see Dr. Paul Martin, director of the Pediatric Bone-Marrow Transplant Unit of Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. Kevin had a splenectomy at Duke followed by a bone-marrow transplant on August 12, 2003. Kevin's brother, Kyle was a perfect matched donor! Kevin is now 14 years old!
Journal
Friday, June 23, 2006 8:39 AM CDT Hello Everyone,
Kevin is doing well. He began his 2005-2006 - 8th Grade school year by taking a break and going to Disney World in October. This was his "Make-A-Wish." Kevin was the superstar! We will always be grateful to "CrossRoads Motorcyle Club" for sponsoring Kevin, The people at "Make-A-Wish", and to "Give Kids the World" for giving us a magical place to stay during our visit.
Kevin's school year was interupted by weeks of absenses due to his feeling "wiped out." We are not sure why he feels this way from time to time. It could be due to viruses, low thyroid function, or low blood counts. His platelet counts drop sometimes. We know when this happens when Kevin gets bruises on his arms and legs. He is still monitored by Dr. Gillan at Children's Medical Center. Other than that, Kevin seems pretty normal. He came down with the same amount of cold viruses as the rest of the family this year.
We wish Kevin had more energy - like his brother, Kyle. We were hoping that because Kevin received Kyle's bone-marrow, Kevin would get some of Kyle's energy. I guess it was not meant to be. Kevin has created his own "Video Gaming" website. He has many "computer friends" visit it. He spends hours working on his computer. We try to get him away from it, to go outside and ride his bike or play basketball with Kyle. Kevin would rather be a computer geek/couch potato. Kyle is the basketball player, tennis player, bowler, swimmer, heelie-skater and scooter rider.
Kevin enjoyed his 14th birthday with about twenty or more CrossRoads Motorcyle members, who rode to our home on their beautiful motorcyles bearing pizza galore along with a birthday gift for Kevin and Kyle and a wild motorcyle ride for Kevin's Grandma! This is the third year these amazing guys and gals have done this! They are true friends with big hearts! It is a sight to behold when they rumble up the road and later ride off into the sunset. Kevin should never feel that "he has no friends!"
Kevin was able to go on his 8th grade field trip this month. The class traveled in three buses to Cape Cod, Mass. They explored salt marshes, sand dunes, and went on a whale watch! Kevin saw many whales including Humpbacks. A week later he went on another field trip to an outdoor resort. (At least he got some excerise!)
Kevin graduated with his 8th grade class this week. He graduated with Honors! Way to go, Kevin! I know he worked hard to catch up, but still, I don't know how he does it - with so many missed weeks from school and missed assignments.
In a few days, we will be traveling to Durham, North Carolina to Duke University for Kevin's yearly check-up with Dr. Martin. It has been a long, difficult journey to recovery, but Kevin seems to be on the right track. He has grown in height and weight and has begun his re-vaccinations. Now we are hoping that the extensive testing Dr. Martin orders for Kevin will come back with flying colors. We will never be quite relaxed about Kevin's health. He will probably be monitored for the rest of his life.
Wish Kevin luck and keep him in your prayers.
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Hospital Information: Duke University Medical Center
Room 5207
Durham,N.C. 27710
919-681-5207
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