Kevin Minkkinen

Kevin saying "YES! I'm DONE!"
March 11, 2006

Kevin was 10 years old and in 4th grade when he was diagnosed with Medulloblastoma on January 26, 2005. A tumor was removed from his brain on January 25th. This page has been created for friends and family to follow Kevin's progress as we journey through the days ahead to treat and cure this disease.

Here is a timeline of Kevin's journey so far:
Physical to determine why Kevin is having trouble with balance: 1/19/05
MRI at Unity Hosp. where tumor is discovered: 1/20/05
Admit to Mpls Children's to take care of Kevin and MRI to spine (no tumors found in spine): 1/20-1/21
Home to accept all of this and prepare for surgery: 1/21-1/24
Surgery to remove tumor: 1/25/05
Medulloblastoma diagnosis: 1/26/05
Home from hospital: 1/29/05
Spinal Tap (all clear!) and Port Placement: 2/11/05
30 rounds of radiation begins: 2/17/05
6 doses of Vincristine (chemo): 2/23, 3/3, 3/10, 3/18, 3/24, 3/30
Radiation ends with round 30: 3/30/05
Make A Wish Trip to Legoland San Diego: 4/16/05 - 4/20/05
First 3 month MRI (ALL CLEAR): 4/27/05
Chemo Round 1 In Hospital (Cycle A-Cisplatin, Lomustine, Vincristine): 4/29/05
Chemo Round 2 In Hospital (Cycle A): 6/10/05
Chemo Round 3 In Hospital (Cycle B-Cyclophosphamide/Cytoxan, Vincristine, MESNA): 7/22/05
Second 3 month MRI (ALL CLEAR): 7/29/05
Chemo Round 4 In Hospital (Cycle A): 8/19/05
Chemo Round 5 In Hospital (Cycle A): 9/30/05
Chemo Round 6 In Hospital (Cycle B): 11/11/05
Third 3 month MRI (ALL CLEAR): 12/2/05
Chemo Round 7 In Hospital (Cycle A): 12/9/05
Chemo Round 8 In Hospital (one week delay) (Cycle A): 1/27/06
Fourth 3 month MRI (ALL CLEAR): 3/8/06
Chemo Round 9 In Hospital (LAST ONE!!!)(Cycle B): 3/10/06
Last and FINAL dose of Chemo (vincristine): 3/16/06
Day surgery to remove port: 4/11/06
First MRI Post Treatment (ALL CLEAR): 5/8/06
Comprehensive Clinic: 5/9/06
Seizure/Stroke Like Episode: 5/26/06
EEG followup for seizure (Normal): 6/1/06
2nd EEG Followup for seizure (Normal): 6/16/06
Post Treatment MRI (#2)(ALL CLEAR): 8/23/06
Post Treatment MRI (#3) (ALL CLEAR): 11/22/06
Growth Hormone Stimulation Test: 1/24/07
Post Treatment MRI (#4) (ALL CLEAR): 3/1/07
Growth Hormone Trial: 4/2/07-4/6/07
Post Treatment MRI (#5) (ALL CLEAR): 8/21/07



Kevin's picture is on the Wolves website!

Click here to view photo albums from along the way (UPDATED JULY 2006)



Our God is a God of justice and surprises. Faithful, yet not predictable other than the fact that He is true to Himself and His Word and His people.

The greatest surprise is also the greatest certainty: His grace. So I do not doubt for a moment I will be in Heaven. For it is dependent on Him, not on me. If on me, I would have no doubt either—because I know Hell would await me. I thank Him for His assurance that what He has done for me is far greater even than what I have done against Him (and that is far greater than I grasp).~~~~Randy Alcorn


KEVIN'S FAVORITE SHOE






Click Here to Check out Kevin's Quilt of Love



LAST DAY OF CHEMO MARCH 16, 2006

Kevin and Dan playing the usual round of Pac Man while waiting.

Can't help but smile knowing this is the LAST ONE!!!!

Kevin's favorite Dr. Bostrom.

What a team! Best nurse Sarah and Dr. Bostrom.
We will always be grateful to them.


"Your righteousness is eternally right, your revelation is the only truth. Even though troubles came down on me hard, your commands always gave me delight. The way you tell me to live is always right; help me understand it so I can live to the fullest."
Psalm 119:142-144
The Message

Cancer is so limited . . .
It cannot cripple love. It cannot shatter hope. It cannot corrode faith.
It cannot eat away peace. It cannot destroy confidence.
It cannot kill friendship. It cannot shut out memories.
It cannot silence courage. It cannot invade the soul.
It cannot reduce eternal life. It cannot quench the Spirit.
It cannot lessen the power of the resurrection.

Journal

Saturday, March 9, 2013 2:35 PM CST

It has been a very long time since I've posted here. Kevin is doing fine and had his latest MRI and check ups on February 12, 2013. I'm thankful to report that the results are all clear! There is no evidence of any tumor recurrence. He also saw all the specialists that day at the clinic. It was a time for everyone who has followed his care to check in with Kevin. The theme of the questions everyone asked was what Kevin plans to do after high school. He graduates this year! He has come so far since cancer and all those long months of treatment. In some ways it seems so long ago and some ways it was just yesterday. Kevin's last school year is going fast. He is probably going to go to Tech college, maybe in Anoka. He is interesed in computer aided drafting (CAD) at this point in time. Whatever he does will be fine. Life is good. Thankful for every day.

Love to all,
Deb

Hospital Information:

Patient Room: 8th Floor

Mpls Childrens (currently at home)
2525 Chicago Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55404
763-506-0791 (home)

Links:

E-mail Author: takvek@yahoo.com

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