Kendall’s January 2025 Update: Strength, Progress, and Gratitude

We’ve received some truly positive updates this month—Kendall’s chemotherapy is working! 🙌🏽 Her scans show significant improvement compared to last month, and because of this progress, her chemo schedule has shifted from weekly to every three weeks. 🎉 She’ll still have weekly bloodwork to track her levels and manage medications, but overall, this is a major win. #Winning #TeamKendall

Chemotherapy & Clinical Visits

Each chemo day includes:

• Blood draw

• Doctor’s visit

• Premeds (Tylenol, Benadryl, steroids)

• Infusion time (which Kendall handles like a champ)

She remains calm, enjoys snacks, watches videos, and even naps during her sessions. She's had little to no major side effects and continues to inspire us with her strength, joy, and resilience. ❤️

Why We Haven’t Said “Cancer”

Though her diagnosis includes lymphoma and PTLD, we’ve chosen not to say the word “cancer” around Kendall. She knows the names of the medications and treatments, but since she hasn’t asked and isn’t Googling yet, we’re protecting her peace of mind. If or when she asks, we’ll explain. Until then, we focus on what she can handle emotionally and mentally.

Medical Milestones

• Medication: Down to 10–12 pills per day 🙌🏽

• Blood Pressure Meds: Reduced—no more water pills, and only 1 tadalafil instead of 2!

• Steroids: Still necessary, but causing high blood sugar. She’ll be meeting with an endocrinologist to rule out steroid-induced diabetes (a common side effect—not worried!).

• EBV levels: Way down—almost undetectable!

• Upcoming: Another heart catheterization and biopsy in 2 weeks to check for rejection. PET scan will determine how much longer treatment will continue.

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Support & Wellness

• Her home health nurse continues to monitor her progress.

• Physical therapy and psychologist Zoom visits are happening weekly.

• She’s easing back into virtual schoolwork and being met with so much grace and support from her teachers. No pressure—just encouragement. 🙏🏽

• Math tutor shoutout to Heather Rampenthal Weaver—thank you for saving us from “foreign language” math! 😂❤️

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Setbacks & Solutions

We had a little hiccup with her PICC line at the Northville lab—it wouldn’t draw blood. After two pokes and a trip to the infusion clinic, they used a clot-busting med (TPA), and it worked! No further issues. 🙏🏽

Gratitude

From medical teams to coworkers, family, and friends—thank you. Your prayers, support, and holiday generosity have carried us. 💝

A special shoutout to my Maternal Fetal Medicine team—you’ve been so flexible, empathetic, and understanding. I couldn’t ask for a better work family. I love you all. ❤️

Kendall continues to teach us how to be strong, joyful, and grateful no matter the circumstances. She is our warrior, and we’re walking this journey with faith, love, and hope. Keep lifting her up. #BeKendallStrong #TeamKendall 💪🏽❤️🙏🏽