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Hi, my name is Kelly, but folks call me KELLBELL!
 I am five years old now, and I've had my first ever birthday party. I have always been too sick to have a party before! But not now! Mom says that I'm one tough cookie!
Mom and dad found out that I would have Down syndrome before I was even born! Isn't that cool? I was born with a problem in my tummy, so I didn't get to come home till I had an operation, when I was only one day old! I don't really remember that. My right foot was born stuck in one place, so I had another operation to fix it. Don't remember that either! I finally learned how to walk though and now I run and dance and jump, jump, jump! I have some ear problems, so I get to have lots of ear operations, but they aren't too bad. I have been in intensive care a lot. There are lots of loud noises and buzzers and bells and they don't let you sleep much. I don't like all the tubes - I like to pull those puppies right out! I can even pull them out with my feet! Yep, I am a pretty smart cookie! I have had two abdominal surgeries (whatever that is!), one foot surgery, open heart surgery, lots of ear surgeries, a liver biopsy; they even looked into my tummy with a tiny camera! When I had my heart operation, I had a seizure and had to start taking medicine. Now the doctors think that I am all better and I don’t have to take that medicine anymore!
 I got sick in May of 2004, but wasn’t diagnosed till June 9th, 2004. The doctor said it was Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia or ALL. ALL is lots easier to say.
I don't like ALL because I had to get tons of ouchies and lots of yucky tasting medicine. Sometimes I’d just spit that yucky stuff out! I used to go to St Vincent's Children's Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases in Indianapolis. I love all my friends, Dr. Smith and Dr. Hock, Anita, Paula (who always tried to steal my chicken nuggets), Cindy, Deb and Linda! Now I go to Children's Hospital of Wisconsin. Deb, Kristin, Janette and Dr. Kasper take good care of me. I finished my treatment last October, right after my birthday! I still get a few ouchies for though. Bummer. I plan to be cancer free forever. I am a survivor!
Now the doctors say that I also have Celiac disease. It means that I have to eat a special diet, but it is OK.
The most important thing to know about me is that I love everyone! I also love to blow kisses, sing all day, and dance, dance, dance. I also love to talk on the phone. My favorite food is turkey. My favorite candy is M&M's. I love vanilla ice cream for dessert! My favorite toy is my dolly and I have a cat named Zak, who thinks he is a dog and a puppy named Chester, who eats the cat’s food! I also love to ride a horse at my therapy each week!
I think all grandparents are great, especially mine! Mom and Dad also say that I am a little stinker. I swear that I am innocent!
I love to make people laugh. Thanks checking up on me! And please help all my friends, who have cancer and Down syndrome, by giving to the ball!
Love,
Kelly! |
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