Karen's battle with illness 3
Departure

Repeated hospitalization and hospitalization.

 

However, about six months after being discharged from the hospital, the disease relapsed.

His health deteriorated and he was forced to be hospitalized again and again.

There is no better way. However, symptoms can be improved to some extent by suppressing brain inflammation and reducing swelling with steroids. However, this is only a symptomatic treatment, and the tumor itself will worsen. Also, steroids have side effects, such as increased appetite, which can lead to extreme weight gain. In particular, the face becomes plump and rounded, resulting in significant changes in appearance. This is a harsh side effect that can be difficult to bear, especially for girls.

 

Once symptoms have improved to some extent, the patient will be sent home temporarily and then discharged from the hospital.

At the time of her final discharge from the hospital, in February, Karen visited the kindergarten and received her graduation certificate.

Although she had gained quite a bit of weight, the kindergarteners welcomed her in a wheelchair and were very happy to see her again.

Karen looked happy too.

However, this was the last time I met my friend.

 

Last hospitalization.

 

After that, his symptoms worsened and he was hospitalized for the third time.

Treatment includes administration of steroids for pain control.

I used narcotic painkillers.

I placed my last hope in anti-cancer treatment with Temodar.

 

At the same time, I was also preparing to enter elementary school.

I went to the school and informed the principal of my daughter's illness and my wishes for admission.

The female principal at that time was very sympathetic and promised support.

This school was right in front of my house, had been renovated in recent years, and was barrier-free, with perfect facilities. Admission to this school was Karen's and our parents' only goal and hope.

At the hospital, she was happily touching and wearing the pink school bag she had bought early.

As arranged by the hospital, it was decided that I would enroll in an in-house class for the time being, and once I was discharged from the hospital, I would move to a local school.

 

Karen's departure

 

However, fate does not go as planned...

Unfortunately, the night before he was to enroll in the in-hospital class, his breathing became abnormal and he had to be intubated on a ventilator.

Although she managed to survive, Karen's consciousness began to fade and her condition deteriorated rapidly.

Blood pressure etc. are not stable. It's a situation where anything can happen at any time.

 

However, the entrance ceremony was moved to the hospital room and was held in a grand manner with many nurses watching. I'm sure the blessings reached Karen's heart as well.

 

The next day, a teacher from a local elementary school visited us and read the textbooks he had ordered aloud at our bedside.

This was Karen's first and last "class".

Also, my close cousin read the textbooks for all the subjects at once,

``Yes, Karen-chan's first grade lessons are complete!!''...

 

A week after the intubation, the fateful day arrived.

Since morning, his blood pressure and breathing numbers were unstable, and nurses were rushing in and out of the hospital room.

 

April 13, 2011, 9:43pm...Karen's breathing slowly stopped, and at just 6 years old, she became an angel and departed.

The struggle between Karen and our family is over.

 

"Karen, you did your best...Thank you...I dared to be happy for you..."

 

At 11 a.m., she was seen off by nurses and doctors and left the hospital where she had spent a significant amount of time in her life.

While being gently held by my mother in the back seat...

 

He is now free from his illness and is probably playing in a far away country.

And I believe that the day will come when we can meet again.

 

After this, the father creates a patient association.

The more I had to do that, the more empty I became.

There, she once again sees the reality of many young children who have suffered the same fate as Karen.

The disease is "pediatric brainstem glioma"

...It is an "incurable disease" for which no cure has been found yet.

The fight is far from over.

Our real battle begins now.

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Karen's fight against illness 2