Monday, May 12, 2008

Courageous Kelly

Kelly was invited by her neurosurgeon, Dr. Muhonen, to a fundraising dinner last Saturday night.  It was put on by the Glass Slipper Guild to raise money for the CHOC Neuroscience Institute.  The dinner was held at the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach. After dinner, Dr. Muhonen took Kelly up on stage and told her story with slides.  Then Kelly talked about what CHOC meant to her, and how she appreciated her doctors and nurses.  She received a standing ovation.  I was very impressed with how well she did in such a large ballroom full of a lot of adults.  


Today was chemo day.   Let's just say she is glad it is over.  She is not tolerating the Irinotecan very well.  Hopefully she'll feel better tomorrow.  

We mentioned how we attended a teen oncology event a few weeks ago called It Can't Own Me at Dave and Busters.  Kelly made a video that night that has now been posted on their website (Shannon got in on it too!)  Here is the website where you can find the video.  When you get to the website, click on Videos and then look for Kelly Laude.  She is also in a few photos under Photos.  There is one of all of us (except Megan who wasn't with us that night)

Kevin is in Thailand the rest of the month.  They are helping the relief effort for Burma.  

Thanks for all the birthday wishes for Shannon.  She turned 11 last Thursday, the day after we came home.  

11 comments:

Tracy said...

Hi Kathy & Kelly!
We knew Kelly was courageous - but your story of the dinner Kelly spoke at and the video on the web are great shining examples of it! Sounds like getting through chemo took some courage too - hope it's lots better today.

Lots lof love & hugs,
Aunt Tracy

Hi, I'm Hannah! said...

Well courageous Kelly is for sure! I watched the video of Kelly and Shannon and wow is all I can say. What a giving and inspirational young lady Kelly is. And her sister too, very uplifting to hear both of them. You rock girls!
Love from NY
Kim and team Hannah
www.hannahpro.blogspot.com

Gabby's Mom said...

Good morning Kelly!

I hope you are feeling much better today from your chemo yesterday.

Pat

Anonymous said...

Way to go Kelly! Awesome as always!! Hope you are feeling better today. Happy Belated Birthday Shannon!

XOXOXO

The Diemer's :)

Catalina Eddy said...

I'm not surprised that Kelly charmed the audience. I would have been surprised if she hadn't. I hate that chemo makes you feel so cruddy. I hope all the love that people send you helps get you through it.
I was thinking that your new red beret will look great on you the next time we go skiing.
Love you!

Laurie Martin said...

Hi Kelly!

The video is wonderful! You truly are an inspiration. Tell Shannon I thought she did really well in it and happy belated birthday.

We went up to the cabin over the weekend and it looks so different without snow. Sometime this summer you and the family will have to come up again. We got new carpeting, a new roof and this week the outside is getting painted. (Little by little it's getting there). Our summer project is putting on a new deck. Jim and his girlfriend came up and we did a hike on Mother's Day. It was so fun...and such a beautiful day. Hope your Momma had a good day on Sunday. Give her my best.

Sorry your Dad is gone for the rest of the month, but what a great thing he is doing.

Hope you're feeling better today. My students continue to pray for you every day. Take care!

Love,
Laurie

Laurie Martin said...

Hi Kelly!

The video is wonderful! You truly are an inspiration. Tell Shannon I thought she did really well in it and happy belated birthday.

We went up to the cabin over the weekend and it looks so different without snow. Sometime this summer you and the family will have to come up again. We got new carpeting, a new roof and this week the outside is getting painted. (Little by little it's getting there). Our summer project is putting on a new deck. Jim and his girlfriend came up and we did a hike on Mother's Day. It was so fun...and such a beautiful day. Hope your Momma had a good day on Sunday. Give her my best.

Sorry your Dad is gone for the rest of the month, but what a great thing he is doing.

Hope you're feeling better today. My students continue to pray for you every day. Take care!

Love,
Laurie

Gabby's Mom said...

I googled today and learned that Irinotecan comes from camptotheca acuminata, which is called the "happy tree." I wish that thinking of a happy tree would make you feel better Kelly!

Hugs,

Pat

Anonymous said...

Hi Kelly and Laude Family,
I hope you are feeling better today! I just watched the video and you did a great job! Please tell Shannon she did great too, and also a Happy Belated Birthday last Thursday. My dad's bd was May 1st! Yay for May b-days.... Take care, all of you....
Sent with Love and Prayers,
Patty J.

Anonymous said...

Kathy,

What an amazing young lady Kelly is. I am continually awed at the strength and wisdom these kids have among such difficult circumstances. We can learn so much from Kelly and others like her. You should be very proud!

With Hope,
Kathleen Gettinger
www.caringbridge.org/visit/taylorgettinger

Anonymous said...

Dear Kelly,

I saw the video from the dinner. You were fantastic!

I'm sorry your chemo session was so bad. I've heard from others that irinotecan is particularly nasty. I hope that science will find something less toxic that is just as effective.

I had an idea that might make your life simpler, if California law allows it. I've heard that the GED exam takes just a couple of hours. Some states require GED candidates to be over 18, others don't. If California is among those that don't, why not sign up for the test? Clearly, you're more mature and articulate than most 18-year-olds. If you pass, you wouldn't have to be bothered with your tutors any more. Talk it over with your mother.

By the way, you're a very effective public speaker. That's rare, believe me.

Have a great day!

Henry