Karissa S. - Quilt Finished in 2007

Born: April 20, 2000

Illness: Malignant Mudulloblastoma, Moderate to severe hearing loss, Hypothyroidism, Learning Disablities and Growth Hormone Dificiency

Karissa's Story

Written by Karissa's mom Laurie in March 2007

Karissa was placed with us in May of 2001 at the age of 13 months, for 'short term' foster care.  She was a healthy little girl but, her development was a little behind and she was extremely shy and withdrawn. She cried constantly.  She quickly caught up with her peers and began to open up to us and accept the love we were giving her.  We thought everything was perfect in our little world in December 2003 when our adoption of her and her older brother was final. 

On June 16, 2004 exactly 6 months to the day of our dream coming true, our perfect little world was forever changed. 

It all started with a fever, runny nose, headache, and a stiff neck.  I thought it was Meningitis.  It was on a weekend so we went to an afterhours clinic.  They said it was just a virus.  Two weeks later, again on a weekend, it happened but this time they gave her an antibiotic.  Two and a half weeks later, she did it again, this time on a Tuesday, so we took her to her pediatrician who did not like the way she looked and how she was shaking.  I thought it was from the high fever but he said it was her trying to get her balance. Her left eye was also crossing. 

She did not have the classic symptoms of a brain tumor like vomiting and seizures.  She had a CT scan on Wednesday afternoon, saw the neurosurgeon on Thursday afternoon and was having brain surgery on Friday morning.  She was very weak on her left side after surgery and had cerebellar mutism. From then on she could honestly say the world does revolve around her.

After 6 weeks of radiation, 9 rounds of very toxic chemotherapy and months of physical and speech therapy I am happy to say all is well with no evidence of disease.  She now wears bi-lateral hearing aids because the chemo damaged the nerves in her ears.  She takes daily thyroid medication and is on ADD medication to see if it improves her attention in school.  She has a learning disability they said was due to slow auditory processing.  She will hear what you say but it takes time for her brain to process it and then for her to respond.  You can see it in her face that she knows what to say but it just won't come out.  She takes theraputic horse riding through EASI (Equines Assisting Special Individuals) tap and ballet and was a cheerleader for Upward Baskelball. 

At her last visit to the oncology clinic her doctor was amazed at the improvment in her balance as well as her maturity but she was concerned that she hadn't grown in a while.  After much testing it was determined that she needed growth hormones because the radiation has affected the area of the brain that tells your body to produce them.  It was very hard for me to hold back the tears when I told her that she will be getting a shot 6 days a week for the next 10 years.  Her response was a very direct 'NO'. Well, right now it takes some coxing and 3 people to get it in her but after it's over she says it didn't hurt.  I'm just happy I didn't have to resort to bribery.  That could get expensive especially when she gets into the teen years.  "I'll take the shot but, you WILL buy me that new Mustang on the lot"

These last few years have been difficult enough for us but, my husband was called to active duty in January of 2005.  Thank God for my support system and my 2 teenage foster children, who have now been adopted.  We said no teenagers on our application to become foster parents but I am so glad we were took the chance to make a difference in their lives as well as them in ours.  We are so looking forward to many happy years as a family with 4 healthy children and future grandchildren.