TEAGAN'S FUND

Teagan was born on May 21, 2003 weighing at 6 lbs 1oz.  Aside from an ear infection and a couple colds she was a pretty normal healthy baby and toddler up until she was 2.5 years old.  At 2.5 she attended preschool and was constantly getting ill.  We didn’t think much of it since that’s the price you pay when you place your child in preschool. 

In November 2006 she complained that the bottoms of her feet were hurting.  I took one look and I gasped.  Both of her feet were lumpy, bruised and tender.  I took her to the pediatrician and the pediatrician didn’t seem too concerned at the bruising.  She went on to say that at this age kids are pretty active that bumps and bruises just part this stage.  I told her that I don’t think that was the case because she had been sick with a cold and that her energy level was pretty low. I will never forget what she said after “well, it is not leukemia if that’s what you think”.  I remember thinking to my self “whoa, I’m not thinking that at all”.  I then asked her what she thought it was.  She reluctantly said that if I wanted to see if something was wrong we should do a blood test.  We had the blood test on Friday November 21, 2006 and the next day we got the call.  Myhusband Phil was the one who answered the call.  It was the pediatrician and he could tell by her voice something was wrong.  She apologized for saying it was not leukemia at the office visit but the tests had shown that in fact it was.  She went on to say that we needed to head straight for the emergency room at Stanford University Hospital where a team was waiting to perform more tests. 

Teagan was diagnosed with JMML (Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia) on November 22, 2007 (day before thanksgiving) at 3 ½ years old.  JMML is a virulent type of blood cancer that accounts for 1% of all childhood leukemia’s. The only treatment resulting in a cure for JMML is a Bone Marrow Transplant, with about a 50% survival rate. Teagan’s treatment protocol will follow that of the EWOG-MDS, the European Protocol.  Here is a brief summary of Teagan’s journey after diagnosis:

• 2- 06 -07 Donor is found!! Unrelated 8/10 match
• 3-11-07 Scheduled BMT (Never happened, Teagan develops an infection on her central line and is treated 5 days in the hospital.)
• 3-24-07 - Another infection on her central line, and this time it is removed.
• 4-09-07 - New Central line is placed. Complications arise. A punctured artery results in Hemathorax (blood in chest cavity) and later develops into a Pneumothorax (collapsed lung). Teagan spent 21 days hospitalized.
• 4-10-07 – Rescheduled BMT (this never happened due to complications on the 9th)
• 5-22-07 Re-rescheduled BMT (and we are finally here!!)
  

Teagan will remain in the hospital for 30-60 days during her transplant.  When her blood counts improve to acceptable levels we will move her to the Ronald McDonald house here next to the hospital.  She will remain at the Ronald McDonald house for 3-9 months as her immune system continues to develop.  When we are finally able to return home she will be quarantined for about one year. 

Teagan and Aidan

Teagan has a big brother named Aidan and he is 7 ½ years old.  He is very supportive of Teagan’s care and misses her very much.  He enjoys soccer, skateboarding, Heelys shoes, reading and YMCA Adventure Guides.

This has been a tough road for us and it will no doubt continue to be so.  We are extremely grateful for the outpouring of support we have received from our community, friends and family.  Without their help I’m not sure how we would have made it this far. 


A friend has put us in touch with the Talbert Family Foundation and they have graciously accepted Teagan as one of their own.  Although we were reluctant to accept financial support we just do not know what lies ahead. 
We thank you for your continued prayers and support.

THE TALBERT FAMILY FOUNDATION WILL DONATE 100% OF THE
MONIES RECEIVED ON TEAGEN'S BEHALF TO HER AND HER FAMILY