WJXT Channel 4

 January 21, 2016

Jacksonville, FL

Kellisa reminding me to look at the camera while we're interviewed on live TV 
to share some of Kellisa's story and support for Wolfson Children's Hospital

Follow Kellisa's Path by email

Taxslayer.com Gator Bowl Parade

December 31, 2013

Jacksonville, FL

(More Pictures)

Bilateral VDRO

Wolfsons Children's Hospital

Jacksonville, FL

Sept. 2003 - Jan. 2005 - Feb. 2006 - Jan. 2011

Kellisa was a little beyond her 4th birthday when she had her 13th surgery. Heading into her first surgery on her hips, Kellisa already had seven brain (including two for an infected shunt), one heart, (Read More)

Health Scare

Back in November, Kellisa had some routine blood work done. Not thinking too much about it, we lost track until the doctor called with some alarming news. A couple of Kellisa's hormones were off the charts, almost 5 times higher than her previous tests. The doctor suspected a tumor on her adrenal gland and recommended a CT Scan. When the doctor's office called back and told us the CT Scan was scheduled in only two days at Wolfson's Children's Hospital, we knew it wasn't good. Kellisa has had many CT Scans for her hydrocephalus and shunt. CT Scans scheduled that quickly can only mean that the doctor is very concerned and wants the results as soon as possible.

The CT Scan was scheduled for Tuesday, December 4, 2012. As always, Kellisa was a trooper and it went well. We were told to expect the results from the doctor in a week. Not that you would want any tumor, but a quick google search told us that a functioning tumor on the adrenal gland was definitely a tumor you DO NOT want! During this waiting period, I couldn't focus or sleep as my mind was constantly racing with horrible thoughts no matter how hard I tried to block those thoughts.

Kellisa has overcome many difficult medical issues over the years and I can say that it does not get any easier with all that we've been through as parents. If anything, it gets harder to deal with because you know that sooner or later...

Kellisa went to see Holiday Pops with The Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra on Friday, December 7, 2012. I can say with 100% certainty that Kellisa was the only attendee wearing a spider shirt:

A huge thank you: Glenn and Rick for the amazing seats!

On Sunday, we went to the beach with Kellisa's new Freedom Push Chair:

One week had finally passed and we were anxious to hear the results and start dealing with the diagnosis. The doctor called Lisa in the morning with the unbelievable news- the CT Scan was negative! No sign of a tumor! Kellisa had many people thinking about her and praying for her and we can't thank them enough! We were hoping for the best, but this was even better! The worst case was avoided! 

With the positive CT Scan and no other symptoms, the doctor doesn't want to do anything else at this time. It still hasn't really settled in yet, but it's going to be a great holiday season for Kellisa! 

Christmas 2005

Christmas 2005

The picture below might be shocking, but it's nothing compared to how Kellisa looked when she was wheeled back to her hospital room on December 16, 2005, following her shunt replacement surgery. Even though it was her 18th surgery (as of 12.25.05), I was not prepared to see her shaved and heavily bandaged head. This would be Kellisa's 3rd surgery in as many months. Kellisa had two shunt repair surgeries, one on October 6th and one on November 15th. When the repairs did not work, a complete shunt replacement was necessary.

 Like usual, even though Kellisa was only nine days removed from a major surgery, she was back to her usual self as she enjoyed Christmas:

All dressed up for a traditional Christmas dinner:

You can see hints of a scar on her neck (left side) in several of the above pictures. However, we don't have a clear picture of the scar. The neurosurgeon had to open Kellisa's neck to help the shunt's drainage tube down to her stomach.