Ever hear of visits from a princess?

[shefor24]

Don't know where to start with this thread, but I will probably ramble, but please- keep reading! I was wondering if anyone has ever heard of a visit from a princess of some kind.... my best friend's neice Kaylen was first diagnosed with Stage IV Neuroblastoma in March of 2000 at the age of 17 months. This all came on very quickly. She underwent 6 rounds of Intensive Chemotherapy, surgery to remove her Adrenal Gland and several local Lymph Nodes(tumor involvement), she received a Stem Cell Transplant. and then she received 20 Radiation treatments to her abdomen (twice a day under anesthesia). Kaylen fought the cancer and was in remission until May of 2002. The Make a Wish Foundation sent them to Florida for a wonderful trip! They had royal treatment and they all so deserved it! Just two months after her wish trip to Florida she began to limp and had left sided weakness. Sure enough the MRI showed her cancer had spread to her Brain. A very heartbreaking find. At this time of relapse Kaylen was 3 1/2. She underwent surgery to remove the tumor, then received 5 more aggressive rounds of Chemotherapy. She also received 20 rounds of Radiation to the tumor site. They told the parents that if it came back- (which the chances were incredibly great) that she her chance for survival is slim. Sure enough the MRI showed her cancer had spread to her Brain. A very heartbreaking find. At this time of relapse Kaylen was 3 1/2. She underwent surgery to remove the tumor, then received 5 more aggressive rounds of Chemotherapy. She also received 20 rounds of Radiation to the tumor site. I can't imagine how terribly rough this is on the parents-- and of course Kaylen.
The doctors are saying it's really getting near now. Kaylen is not awake much and on alot of pain meds, and is hanging in there like such a trooper! Please take a minute and visit her website:
http://www.caringbridge.org/in/kaylen/
and feel free to sign the guest book and just tell Julie and Rick you're praying for them. They need a lot of support in prayer right now.
Anyway, I was just wondering if there's anyone who knows anything about Snow White or a princess visiting terminally ill kids like this on site???? If not I think it would be a great way of making a kids day! Kaylen LOVES the princesses and I would love to just have someone go visit her dressed up like Snow White or one of them. It would mean so much to her!! Anyone with any suggestions or ideas on this??

 

[Fantasmic303]

Shefor24,

I would contact your local Make-A-Wish chapter (that granted Kaylen's wish) IMMEDIATELY and explain the situation and ask if there is anything they can do. I volunteer (and worked for) our local chapter, and I know that we've had similar cases where volunteers would dress up like Barbie or Elmo to visit a child. In most cases it's been to deliver a wish, but I do remember a few rare cases where it's been "post-wish", just to get a child's spirits up.


I visited Kaylen's site, and it's heartbreaking for such a beautiful little girl and her family to have to go through so much. If she was in CT, I would locate "a princess" to visit her - I would not be surprised to find that your MAW chapter would feel the same way. If you can find out the names of her wish-granters, you may want to give them a call, too - sometimes the volunteers can pull strings or make miracles happen. In the meantime, our prayers are definitely with all of you. Good luck!

 

[kmr]

I have added Kaylen to my prayer list. I am so sorry. I can't even begin to imagine the agony that they are all going through.

Please post this thread again on the community board. I know a lot of people over there will have some great ideas for you. If nothing else, Kaylen will get a lot of prayers. DISers are a great comfort in times like this.

 

[ducklite]

There are Disney Princess costumes in adult sizes in the Disney catalogue and Disney Store online. Perhaps you could purchase one and have a young adult from a local drama group or a student from a local college with a drama dept., etc. wear it and visit her?

Good luck!

Anne

 

[shefor24]

Very SAD Update...
Kaylen passed away on Sept 10 at 1:00 pm in the arms of her mom and dad at home in her own bed. She is now pain free and with Jesus, happy and running and having the life she so deserved. You are welcome to get on the site and still sign the guestbook- they would sure appreciate the support right now. Thanks for your support and prayers for this family.

 

[epcotfan]

I'm so sorry. My sincere condolences.

 

[beattyfamily]

I just found this thread and was so sad to get to the updated post...through tears I'm writing this...

I also visited the website which just makes it so much more real to have a cute little face to the story.

I'm truly sorry for their loss and very sad indeed. I have a 3 1/2 year old, almost 4, and she got very ill last Summer and we almost lost her so this story really hit me hard.

God bless your friends and my prayers are with you all to get through this tragedy, and I pray that Kaylen is finally at peace.

 

[seastar]

I am so sorry. What a gorgeous little girl!! Praise the Lord she is pain free now. My prayers to you and the entire family.

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Oh, what a heartbreaking story. I will certainly add Kaylen's family to my prayers.

 

[SueM in MN]

I was also very sad to read the update on this thread. My thoughts and prayers are with this little girl's family and everyone who loved her.