Conner’s Story
Conner just turned 3 years old a few weeks ago. He hadn’t been feeling well for several months. His parents, Aaron and Karrie, kept taking him to the doctor. It took months to get the diagnosis. On Friday, March 27th, he was just diagnosed with Leukemia. The exact diagnosis is AML subtype M0, monosomy 7. With the monosomy 7 comes additional challenges. This is a rare and serious diagnosis with very little statistics on prognosis in children. Conner is currently undergoing chemotherapy and is expected to need bone marrow.
Conner is an energetic 3 year old who’s now living in a hospital and needs all the love and support he can get. His family includes a 7 year old sister, Taylor and parents, Aaron and Karrie, who are going through this right with Conner. They are relying heavily on the strength of their faith and the overwhelming love and support so many have shown. Thank you all so much from Aaron, Karrie and all their friends and family!
Information on the diagnosis and medical treatment:
March 28, 2009: From Aaron Stell -As many already know my families life was dramatically changed on Friday. My 3 yr old baby boy has been diagnosed with leukemia. How life changes in the blink of an eye. The final stage/level has not been determined but it is AML. Thank god he is the toughest little kid I have ever seen and I know he is gonna fight through this and WIN. We appreciate your thoughts and prayers.
March 28th update: From Aaron Stell- After 5 days of waiting we have received the final diagnosis. They explained this wait to me as “We have to get it right the first time and we will get it right the first time” The diagnosis: Acute Myeloid Leukemia Monosomy 7, subtype M0, HIGH RISK So what does all this mean Monosomy 7 means that the leukemia cells have lost 1 of the copies of chromosome 7. It is a chromosomal defect and has a worse prognosis.
THIS JUST IN: So the treatment/chemotherapy will begin yet today, and a bone marrow tansplant will most likely happen.(One of you may get to be my son’s savior and my hero) The doc said without treatment he might have 2 months left. So we will be considering everyday after that a miracle/blessing. DADDY’S advice to all, hug your kids tight, have patience with your kids, and ? everything with your pediatrician.
April 1, 2009: Some what of an update for anyone interested……..April 1st
Conner was having a great morning probably the best he’s had since broviac was put in, spinal tap, and bone marrow extraction. Then they decided to do an MRI for some headaches he has been having, and to double check a lump/bruise in his cheek. They had to put him out for this procedure since there can be no movement. This MRI was done at 1:30 and he is still sleeping now at 5:00 (THE GOOD STUFF). So he only got to enjoy half of his best day. At 6:00 will be another round of chemotherapy that will last for 4 hrs.
Keep in mind everyone, donating blood is very important……especially platelets and don’t forget to sign up on the registery for bone marrow transplant
Good Day
Daddy
April 1, 2009: People are asking how they can get tested to donate to conner and let everyone know the only ones that will be tested here are me 5% chance, karrie 5% chance, and Taylor 25% of being matchs…..everyone else is very very low %…….so what they need to do is register for the national database……and you never know who they may save, I can promise them one thing no matter if its my son or someone elses son/daughter……..it will end up being the greatest thing a person could ever do for someone….give them a second chance at life.
Here is some information regarding donation – It should help those who are interested in becoming donors. There is a fee of $52 to join the registry (for tissue typing) – however, if you hold a drive, the donor program will pick up $27 of that, leaving a $25 fee for the person to pay. (FYI – there is no fee for minority donors).
Based on the comments about Connor, it sounds like this needs to be done as quickly as possible – you may consider fundraising to cover the 25 dollar fee – or you might want to just ask the friends of this family to pay it when they register. I can help you with the drive, getting information out, etc. Just let me know if you would like to do this. If you want to post my contact information please do.
Every year, thousands of men, women and children get life-threatening disesases like leukemia and lymphoma. Many of them will die unless they get a bone marrow transplant from a genetically matched donor.
If you have any questions, let me know.
-Caroline
April 2, 2009:
Quick update
Conner had the MRI yesterday April 1st. The results were good, brain looks good. So not sure what the headaches are from. First good news we have gotten (Yeah).
He had to receive platelet and red blood cell transfusions today and chemo began again at 6:00. Today is the long day so, first is an IV push, then 6 hrs of another drug, and finally 4 hrs of another.
I was home trying to help move to the new house, but heard he finally got to go upstairs to the play room.. Boy were they in for a shock, Conner is still just as wild as he used to be. And faster than the person pushing the IV cart. Luckily the broviac lived thru play time
So considering everything farely happy day
Daddy
Note: The website went live on April 4, 2009 so information after that date is located in the blog. Please visit and comment! Conner and his family really enjoy reading the comments of love and support.
