Kay’s Story
Kay declared, “no more crying! It is what it is and we’ll do what we have to do! God is in control.”
Following the diagnosis Kaylyn experienced her first hospitalization lasting 28 days, which included several surgeries, a bone marrow biopsy (the first of many), chemotherapy and its numerous side effects, the loss of 20 pounds and cruelest of all: Kay lost all of her beautiful long brown hair.
Kaylyn knew God has a plan for her life and she would continue to trust Him no matter what happened. Needless to say, we were very encouraged in early November when she was discharged to home and told the initial induction round of chemotherapy had dropped the leukemia count in her blood to zero. Kay left the hospital with a schedule for the following months to receive different chemotherapies to maintain her preliminary remission that had been achieved. All was well!
Kaylyn had just started her senior year of high school at Red Lion Christian Academy when her leukemia was diagnosed. After that first admission she was unable to complete the year attending classes, so a home study program was developed by her teachers. In between chemotherapy treatments she would study and turn in assignments when she was finally feeling up to it. She was also feeling well enough at times to attend sporting events, sing the opening number for her school musical, Annie Warbucks, and even attend her senior trip to Orlando accompanied by mom to monitor her medications and activities. Yes, All was well!
“No more crying! It is what it is and we’ll do what we have to do! God is in control.”
Then the week we returned from Florida, Kay started having headaches once again. After blood work and a bone marrow aspiration it was determined that Kaylyn had relapsed and the leukemia was back with a vengeance. The chemotherapy regime was changed to induce remission once again and the process for bone marrow or stem cell transplant was implemented. Because no one in our family was a match, the National Bone Marrow Donor Registry was notified to find a compatible donor. Once again, Kay’s doctors had success inducing remission and she was able to attend her senior prom and graduated with honors in June 2006 with her class.
By the end of June a donor had been found and we were off to Seattle, WA to the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, where Kay was due to receive a lifesaving stem cell transplant. One week after arriving and with all the testing completed, we were told Kaylyn had relapsed - the leukemia was back - again.
The doctors in Seattle tried for the next two months to get Kaylyn back into remission advising that the chance of success at this point was only about 30%. We hadn’t realized just how aggressive Kay’s leukemia was and that each time the cancer returned it had mutated. Therefore, the chemotherapy drug she had just received would now be ineffective and a new protocol needed to be found.
Caringbridge Journal Entry 8/25/2006
“God’s lamp shined on my head and I walked through darkness by His light.” Job 29:3
Dearest Friends, our Kaylyn is not in remission. In fact the leukemia is growing stronger everyday. The counts in her blood are very high but the infection in her blood seems to be controlled for now. We have some hard decisions to pray about this evening and time is of the essence. Please pray that God will lead us to “His Perfect Will” concerning Kay."
Don’t be sad, because the joy of the Lord will make you strong. Nehemiah 8:10
On August 28, 2006 we returned to Delaware to the care of Kay’s Hematologist. In the seven months that followed many different protocols were tried, but all failed to induce a complete remission. They did however cause at one time or another liver failure, serious blood infections, repeated fungal infections, dangerously low hemoglobin and platelet counts, bells palsy, hand and foot syndrome and pain that is really indescribable. But there was more that Kay endured during the treatment of her cancer.
Kaylyn almost made it to transplant three times, but it was not to be. So when we were told that the leukemia was taking over faster than could be controlled and there were no more options, Kaylyn made the decision to go home from the hospital with hospice care. It was March 8, 2007.
Caringbridge Journal Entry 3/8/2007
We are taking Kaylyn home today where we will wait for Jesus to come and take her to her real home in Heaven. There isn’t anything left for her to try that would do anything except give her more pain. We have arranged for hospice with one of their nurses, Mary Ellen, whom Kaylyn knows and loves. Her time will be short and Kay is so very tired and weary. She is ready to see Jesus. She is not scared, just concerned about us - that is so Kay! We need nothing and ask for no visitors. Our God has answered all of our prayers in His mercy and grace. He has given Kaylyn a life so full and we are so privileged that He chose to use her to further His Kingdom. We praise the Lord for Kay and her life that was devoted to Him. We love her with all of our hearts and now she will see God! Please pray for peace and rest for our precious child.”
“But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and that He will stand upon the earth at last! I will see Him for myself. Yes! I will see Him with my own eyes.” Job 19:25 & 27.10
Caringbridge Journal Entry 3/13/2007
Jesus came at 1:00am this morning to take Kaylyn home. She is now at peace and dancing with the angels. No more chemo, no more IVs, no more pain, no more cancer. She has been restored! Praise God! Although our hearts are breaking, we can’t help but rejoice because now she is with her Savior. Kaylyn fought so very hard, especially in the past month and now she has won the fight for all eternity. Cancer didn’t beat Kaylyn - God beat the cancer! We believe that life on this earth is only a preparation for eternity. Kaylyn prepared well. Her crown will be heavy with jewels and the Heavenly Choir will now have a special voice. Our hearts will forever beat together as we wait to join her in Paradise. Thank you Jesus for entrusting this precious child to us.
“There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under Heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. God has made everything beautiful for its own time... He has planted eternity in the human heart.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-2,11
Kay's Memorial Service - 3/27/2007
There were over 1000 people in attendance on March 24, 2007 at Red Lion Christian Academy for Kay’s memorial service. This is the video that was shown to honor her young life. Kaylyn sings the first song on the video.
Part 1 - Growing Up: “How Beautiful” sung by Kaylyn Warren
Part 2 - Treatment: "I Wish You Were Here”
Part 3 - Oh, so Kay!: “I Can Only Imagine"