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Dustin and his dog Taz. We adopted Taz from the Humane shelter, and they are best friends.
Welcome to Dustin's webpage. This page was created to update family and friends of Dustin Kenna about his battle with leukemia.
Dustin was diagnosed on September 15, 2003. He was six years old. He had been having pains in his leg, and in four days he went from pains to not being able to walk. We took him to the doctor who ordered blood work and chest x-rays. After waiting at the doctor's office all afternoon for test results, the doctor said the words that would change our lives "I'm sorry your son has leukemia." He was taken to Riley Hospital in Indianapolis. On September 16, he had a bone marrow asperiation and that evening we got the results that he has Accute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, or ALL. We were told that is the good kind of leukemia as the cure rate is 85% if all goes well. The next morning he was taken into surgery to have a port put in his chest. This will allow the doctors to draw blood and give chemo through a line in his chest. He started his chemo that night. He is considered high risk, and will take treatments for the next three years. He is doing real well, and was in remission in a week. We appreciate all the prayers lifted up for Dustin as they have ment all the difference to us. This will be a long journey but with family, friends, and prayers we will make it through.
On January 5th 2007 Dustin completed his three plus years of chemo, and is a survivor!!!
POEM: THE LITTLEST SOLDIERS
The medals on our chests
Are port-a-caths for meds
Helmets won't stay on
'cause no hair is on our heads.
Our weapons of destruction
We take every day
We fight the battle within us
While we struggle on to play.
We fight with honor and courage
No Marine could do as well
We are only little children
Living in this hell.
So bring on the medals
The Purple Hearts of Wars
The Gold Cross, The Silver Star
To place upon our scars.
For We are the Children of Cancer
No one has fought so hard
But every day we struggle on
Our life is our reward.
Author: Cheryl Jagannathan
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Normal Counts:
Hemoglobin 12.0-15.0
Platelets (Plates) 150,000-450,000
White Blood Cell(WBC) 4,500-13,500
AGC (ANC) 1000 or greater
Dustin's counts at diagnosis
Hemoglobin 10.0
Platelets 92.000
WBC 79,600
AGC 1,592
Blasts 91% (91% of his white blood cells were leukemic cells)
Journal
Sunday, November 16, 2008 6:55 AM CST Friday, November 14, 2008 3:25 PM CST
Dustin continues to do well off treatment. His dad took him for his appointment in September, and his next appointment is in December. Starting next year he will go to the clinic once every six months. Looking back it has been five years since he was diagnosed. Some days it seems so long ago, but the memories will always stay with us. It is something you never forget.
Dustin is doing awsome in school. He is in the middle school this year. He is in the sixth grade, but taking an eighth grade level math class. I can no longer help him with his homework!!! He is learning to play the French horn in band. Our family is musically challenged so we'll see.
Soccer season is over so we are between sports. For once Dustin was on a winning team!!
As we enter into the Thanksgiving season please remember all the children who are still in this battle and keep them in your prayers.
Dustin's cousin David has received deployment orders to Afganistan, so please keep him in prayers as well as all our troops over seas.
Cecelia
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