Kendall Thomas

I started this blog so that the family and friends of Kendall can join her in her journey. I am new to this "blogging" so please be patient with me as I record her journey. I am Daryl Sutton, Kendall's stepfather. I have had the pleasure of helping to raise her for quite some time now and love her very much. Nothing is more important to me than helping her overcome this so she may continue to have the life of her dreams. With God in our hearts and your prayers and thoughts, I know she will come through this, as it is Gods plan. I will be with her through this entire journey as I know many of you will as well.

On Friday July 31, 2009, Kendall, her mother(Tammy) and myself went to the doctor to speak with them about an MRI that Kendall had the day before. Kendall was having back pain and leg pain for several weeks now. We were initally told that there was a small spot(tissue mass) at or near the base of her spine. Once at the doctors office, we laughed and joked around waiting for the doctor to come in.Kendall was commenting on how good the tie looked that I was wearing. It was the tie that she had given me for Fathers Day. Then the doctor came in and looked at Kendall, checked her out and asked her to go over the symptoms again. The doctor then told us that it was not what they originally expected. There was a large tumor mass tissue in her lower back and pelvis area. The doctor said it was pressing on the nerves and that is what is causing the majority of her pain. He then said he wanted to do surgery to remove part of the tumor from the nerves and then biopsy it to find out what it is. He said it could possibly be Lymphoma and that was about all I heard until Tammy interrupted him. Tammy asked, "Isn't that a form of cancer?" The doctor said yes. He talked for a while longer and showed us some films of the tumor. He asked if we had any questions and I had a million of them but couldn't say anything. He politely excused himself and said his nurse would be in to clear up some details. The very second the door closed behind him, all of us busted out in tears. None of us knew what to say, we just held each other for a while.........So then we make arrangements for surgery......

On August 4, 2009, we show up at the hospital for surgery. Waiting...waiting ..and more waiting for Kendall to come back when we saw the doctor who now tell us that Kendall can not have surgery because her blood is for a lack of better words "out of wack". They admitt her to a room and later that morning they perform a bone marrow biopsy. They said we would not know anything for another 24 hours.....

....On August 5, 2009, around lunch, Kendall was told by her doctor that she has leukemia. AML - Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. They also told us they wanted us to go to MD anderson Hospital in Houston, Texas. They are one of the best leukemia hospitals in the country.....

....On August 7, 2009, Kendalls sister, Bragan, is getting married. Kendall is the maid of honor but she cant leave the hospital. But we were able to get through the wedding with Kendall still here. I set up a web cam so Kendall could watch and the people at the wedding could see her. There was a little delay in the wireless feed but it worked out well. Bragan and Brett even went by the hospital to have pictures with Kendall in her dress. I would also like to add that Bragan, you looked beautiful, Brett, I'm glad to have you in our family...I love you both!

.......So now, August 9, 2009...we wait for a place to open in Houston. They want us out there as soon as possible. We were told that it could be at any time, so to be ready.

I also would like to thank the many family and friends that have came by to see her and called us to check on her. All of your calls and visits mean very much to Kendall, as well as to Tammy and me. You have made us feel very blessed to have the support and love of family and friends.

I will continue to post updates on Kendalls journey and as I become more familiar with this "blog".

I want to say one last thing about Kendall: I have always told Kendall a bible verse that I feel strongly about and hope that it has helped her in good times and in bad. I have always been a little private with her in regards to matters of the heart. But I feel as if I should share with you what I have always told her. The verse is from Philippians 4:13. It states that "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Kendall is one of the strongest people I know and I know her faith is strong as well.