Thursday, May 11, 2006 we received some very disheartening news. We learned that the granddaughter of our chapter vice-president, Jackie Everitt, a Conroe police officer, had been diagnosed with cancer. This precious baby just starting out in life, now has some huge mountains to climb.
Little Kaitlyn Muckleroy who turned three years old in the next month, began undergoing extensive testing at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston. It has initially been determined that the cancer is affecting her in a hip and in her abdominal area and around her stomach and kidney.
Needless to say her parents and grandparents are distraught but with their heads and eyes upward are climbing the mountain with their cherished Kaitlyn.
Our chapter, Blue Knights of Texas, Chapter XXXIII has taken the lead assisting the family with whatever they need.
Dear Family & Friends,
It has been a while since I've given you an update on Kaitlyn. I am happy to report all is well. The scans she did in April came back clear. The spots on her left clavicle were gone. She looks beautiful inside and out.
For those of you that didn't know, Kaitlyn's hair was falling out on the left side of her head. We didn't know what was causing it. Kaitlyn's pediatrician thought it was a fungus and was giving her medication to treat it. That didn't work and the area got larger. It basically cover the whole left side of her head. Stephanie was cleaning out from under Kaitlyn's bed and found her hair there. It was full of knots. She asked Kaitlyn if she was pulling her hair out. Kaitlyn said when she woke up her fingers were in the knots and she had to pull them out. As we found out, Kaitlyn didn't even know her hair was gone. Stephanie got a mirror out and showed Kaitlyn. Kaitlyn was shocked. Apparently when Kaitlyn was going to sleep, she was twirling her hair. Kaitlyn told her mommy that she would never pull the knots out again. Stephanie said she could wake her up and she would help her get the knots out so her hair would fall out. Stephanie also took Kaitlyn in and had her hair cut very short and in layers so when the bald spot grew out it would look a little more even. In the meantime Kaitlyn had an appt. w/the dermatologist. She confirmed that Kaitlyn didn't have any fungus and that she has seen this happen many times. She told Stephanie she diagnosed it exactly right, that Kaitlyn was pulling her hair out. So all is expected to be well there in time.
We held a 1 yr. remission celebration for Kaitlyn April 27th at Carl Barton park. It was a good day. God gave us sufficient cloud cover and a steady breeze that kept everyone cool. It was so good to see Kaitlyn doing so well. She looks good and healthy and she had fun running and playing with the other children. Kaitlyn will be turning 5 in June. I just can't believe she is that old already. She will be the 1st to tell you that she is getting big. So I will be sure and send you an update of her party. Then at the end of June we will be going to the Frio river (one of Kaitlyn's favorite places) for vacation. So I should have a few more emails to send soon.
Thank you all for keeping us in your prayers. God has certainly blessed all of us.
Love to you all,
Lisa