Update: Two-year old Valley patient improves

by Della Batts, Daily Herald Staff Writer
Published/Last Modified on Tuesday, April 7, 2009 2:49 PM EDT

ROANOKE RAPIDS — In December the Daily Herald reported two-year old Kevin Clark Jr., “KJ,” was suffering from a painful and debilitating condition called astrocytoma, a tumor in his spinal column. The public rallied to help, holding fundraisers and sending prayers.
Advertisement
Since then KJ has been undergoing chemotherapy and has had to endure the ups and downs the medicine brings. In an e-mail from his mother, Angela, she shared, “KJ's tumor is shrinking!”

In KJ’s last checkup the MRI showed that he is much improved and hopefully the chemotherapy will completely dissolve the tumor and he will be able to live a normal life.

“He is still trying to run and do everything he sees my older two children do, but when he falls or can't do something that they do, he gets very frustrated. He is still going to physical therapy twice a week because the chemo may cause muscle weakness. He will have to continue going until he completes chemotherapy. He is learning how to walk up and down stairs and to jump and walk sideways and backwards. We take the little things for granted when we see a child that can do them on their own.”

It was Sept. 19 when the diagnosis was handed down. According to the Mayo Clinic, astrocytomas originates from cells called astrocytes and are most commonly found in the main part of the brain, the cerebrum. People can develop astrocytomas at any age, though they are more common in adults. It is a painful condition.

Comments

Write a Comment

Comment posters are responsible for the opinions they express and the accuracy of the information they provide. We urge comment writers to treat this as a public forum where manners matter. We encourage a collegial, non-insulting tone. All readers comments must be approved by our staff before posting to the Web site. They review submitted comments periodically during the day for offensive or off-topic content before posting. Be aware, in accordance with the Communications Decency Act and provisions upheld in judicial appeal, that you are responsible for comments posted on this Web site. The Daily Herald is not liable for messages from third parties.

DO NOT POST:
* Potentially libelous statements or damaging innuendo.
* Obscene, explicit, or racist language.
* Personal attacks, insults or threats.
* The use of another person's real name to disguise your identity.
* Comments unrelated to the story.
* Personal Information (phone numbers, addresses, etc.)

Opinions, advice and all other information expressed in rrdailyherald.com's reader comments represent the individual's own views and not necessarily those of the Daily Herald. The Daily Herald does not endorse and is not responsible for statements, advice or opinions offered by anyone other than authorized Daily Herald spokespersons.

Your thoughtful contribution to the online discussion is appreciated.

(optional)
   
 

Contact Us

Contact Us
(252) 537-2505