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June 11, 1996

My 13-year old brother, Kyle Fleming, was diagnosed with Burkitt's Lymphoma on February 23, 1996.

A little background info: lymphoma is a tumor of the lymph system which can start in almost any part of the body. The cause is related to genetic or chromosomal abnormality developing in a single normal lymphocyte in the body. The unchecked production of abnormal or cancerous lymphoma cells results. Malignant lymphocytes multiply uncontrollably; excessive production impairs normal cell function and the body's ability to fight infection. The malignant cells overcrowd the bone marrow (somewhat like leukemia) and prevent normal production of red cells, white cells and platelets. The bad cells infiltrate major organs of the body causing malfunction or failure. Kyle's lymphoma started in the gastrointestinal tract, and immediately filtered into his blood and bone marrow, classifying his cancer as Stage IV (as bad as cancer can get). An accurate diagnosis is Burkitt's Lymphoma/Leukemia. Burkitt's is prevalent in tropical Africa (nearly 50-60% of all children have the disorder); it is rare here in the U.S. Between October 31, 1995, and February 23, 1996, Kyle was twice misdiagnosed, first, as constipation, then, as Crohn's Disease. Four months elapsed between the first symptom and the correct diagnosis. Had he not been treated when he was, his prognosis would have been zilch. Now he has a near 85% chance of total recovery. Relapse is rare within the first year of treatment and if it does occur, he will be a candidate for another round of chemotherapy (if his system can tolerate it) or a bone marrow transplant. If my bone marrow is a match, I'll be happy to be his donor!

He is undergoing a regimen of heavy chemotherapy (5 to date). He has been admitted to All Children's Hospital 8 times and as many trips to the clinic for blood work. He has received 9 blood transfusions (in addition to platelets). He has had 5 lumbar punctures (fluid withdrawn for pathology, then chemo injected); he has had 2 cat scans, barrels of medications; has lost his hair, eyelashes, brows, fingernails (which are re-growing, as well as new skin on the pads of his feet, where blisters broke out) and he has lost 42 pounds in the process. He looks like a little peanut to me, but he does have a giant up-beat attitude. He can still smile through all this, and give you the "thumbs up" sign. He is not out of the woods yet, he has one or two more treatments to go, then a year of close monitoring.

July 14, 1996
 

Kyle just completed 4-1/2 months of intensive chemotherapy for cancer and is home now in full remission.
Thank God for big favors! As you may have already read on my Web Page, Kyle (13) was diagnosed 2/23/96 with Burkitt's Lymphoma, which metastasized into Leukemia. He lost nearly 50 pounds and had some rough days on heavy doses of chemo. He bounced back following each session in record time. Now he can concentrate on recovering, eating well, and growing his hair back!! We call him "The Bald Eagle" -- Eagle, in the sense that they are regarded as a symbol of courage and power!!

Our entire family appreciates your kind thoughts, your concern, and your prayers. Your support was a major factor in his positive attitude and his recovery. Thank you so much!

7-19-96

Just when we thought that my brother was well into his way on recovery he was re admitted this morning for chest pains If could be a number of things, an infection, pneumonia, or just chest pains. Whatever it is my brother is now going to miss his summer camp where he would of been away from all the hospital for a week and be with other kids with cancer. Ill keep you informed on what occurs.

7-28-96

The chest pains turned out to be pleurtis which is an inflammation of the pleura caused by excess fluid. This although serious was treated with a 5 day stay in the hospital. He was able to go to R.O.C.K (reaching out to cancer kids) camp for the last 3 out of the 6 days. During this time Kyle did numerous activities including a 35 foot high ropes course, bowling, swimming, a carnival where he got cool drawing, and archery. During the final night he even got to go to a dance at the camp. He had a fun time and it seemed that he was gone more than 3 days. This should be the end to Kyle's hospital stays but if anything should occur ill keep you posted.

8-21-96

Today my Brother and I started high school at Osceola High. My brother is in the 9th grade and I'm the 11th. My brothers hair just stared growing back and it is a shade darker this what it was before his treatment. The is still no trace of any cancer cells or new ones returning but he is returning to the hospital once a month just to be sure. I will of course keep you updated on his progress and will have a picture of his returning hair within a few days.
 

Kevin Fleming

9-21-96

Kyle's hair is now a half inch long and is multi shaded. He had a checkup last week and there are still no cancer cells returning, which is of course good to hear. We went to Disney World a week b4 school started and everything was A-O-K. Mostly because I had the "privalge" of pushing him in a wheelchair! It did have its advantages because we got to cut in line! Kyle had his 14th birthday on August 30th and he invited many of his friends that he met at All Childrens Hospital. Everything Is going great at school and so far my brother has only missed one day because of the checkup. As always I'll keep you posted on any new developments.

Kevin Fleming

12-8-96

Once again, Kyle was given a clean bill of health by his Oncologist on November 12th. He looks and feels wonderful. He has gained 20 of the 52 ponds he lost and has put himself on a low-fat diet. My family and I are grateful for his present condition.

On December 19th, he will have the Mediport, which was put in February 23rd, will be surgically removed from his chest. He will receive a general anesthetic and will stay at the hospital for only a day. His follow-up exams and lab work will be scheduled every 3 months thereafter for the next year. He is currently only one medication (Septra) which prevents infection.

As a Family we went to Bush Gardens of Tampa Bay Courtesy of the Cancer foundation. My brother made it through the day walking on his own two feet (as you may recall I had to push him when we went to Disney World). He even had enough guts to ride the Kumba and the Montu with yours truly.
 

Kevin Fleming

1-15-97
 

On December 19, 196 Kyle Flemings Mediport was removed without incident. Five months had elapsed since his last chemotherapy, and ports are routinely removed when not used for a length of time.

Less than a month later, January 6, 1997, My brother apparently contracted a virus, and was perspiring throughout the night and was unusually tired. Three days later, he had a low grade fever. The Oncologist's Office as All Childrens Hospital was notified and as expected, they advised us to bring Kyle in "before he's in trouble." Late on January 10th Kyle's temperature continued to rise to over 102F so he was admitted to All Childrens Hospital at 2 in the morning on the 11th. At the hospital Kyle received a throat culture and a CBC, in addition to an examination to check for possible tumors. He has developed a persistent cough that sounded like a croup or whooping cough.

Several antibiotics were administered (Zinacef, Timentin, Tobramycin) in addition to several doses of Ibuprofen. By Sunday, January 12th, his temperature rose to 104.2. A second culture was sent to the lab and the doctors scheduled a chest x-ray and a Cat Scan.

As it turned out, none of the tests revealed and abscess, tumors, or anything abnormal. The final diagnosis was "a bad cold." Thank God for big favors!
 

Kevin Fleming

3-29-97
On March 17th Kyle had his monthly checkup. A CBC was taken and his blood counts were high and there was no indication of a tumor. His next appointment is April 17th. Kyle is doing great in school taking a foods class since he loves to cook at home. He is even swimming in our backyard pool.
 

Kyle's next regularly scheduled appointment for a CBC is in April. Look for the next update then

. Kevin Fleming

Memo 9/27/97

Update on Kyle's Remission

Kyle has been in remission for a year and six months. His last chemotherapy occurred in July 1996. Throughout the past year, he has been examined every month, and given blood tests in an effort to detect if any cancer cells or tumors are present. Each time he has been given a clean bill of health. We're all great full and thank God for big favors. He has greatly matured in the past Eighteen months and has physically grown twelve inches. His former light brown straight hair was replaced with almost black hair with small tight waves. He keeps it cut very short because he thinks he would die if he had curly hair. There are two negatives since his remission. First, he does not have the energy he once had. When he gets home from school (especially after P.E.) he heads for the couch and sometimes sleeps for an hour or two. Who knows what damage the chemo did to his "good" cells and how long it will take to totally recover them? He is, however, conscientious about good nutrition. The second thing is he can get as grumpy as a bear in a split second. Even though he has returned several times to All Children's Hospital to visit cancer-kids (at the request of his Oncology doctors, nurses and Mom) he is stirred by the illness itself, and to the reaction, and sometimes demise of some of his former "roommates." He apparently doesn't want to remember or particularly talk about these incidents. We understand.

Kyle met another 13 year old boy, Andrew, who was first diagnosed with Burkitt's Lymphoma in October in Pennsylvania. He was in remission for a little over a month before they found more tumors on December 1st. He has moved here Temporarily to be closer to all Children's Hospital. He lives with his mother, father and 3 little sisters and is staying at his grandmothers house in Belleair who lives one block over from Kyles and my Grandmother. Andrew is receiving more chemo and is doing well at this time. I will keep you informed on both my brothers and Andrew's progress.

Kevin Fleming

5-10-98

I am sad to report that on May 3, 1998 at 0720, Kyle's friend, Andrew Wasco, died at his home in Belleair Florida. He was only 13-1/2 years old. Andrew was diagnosed seven months ago with Burkitt's Lymphoma (the same disease Kyle suffered) but the manner in which Andrew was initially treated, was different from the way Kyle was handled.

Andrew's diagnosis was made in a little "hick" town, Hone, in Pennsylvania. When he first complained of abdominal pain, his doctor thought he had appendicitis. During surgery, his appendix was removed along with a good-size tumor. In comparison, when Kyle was cut open, his 17cm tumor was identified but because it was surrounded by a watery sac and found to be leaking, he was closed up immediately and rushed to ICU for heavy chemotherapy. Cancer cells had leaked into his blood stream and bone marrow. His cancer was classified as Stage IV, as bad as cancer can get, but within a month, the tumor had shrunk 90%.

Andrew's temporary recovery was slow. Another tumor surfaced on the side of his kidney. He received a blood stem transplant but his progress was unsteady. Fluid appeared in his lungs which was another setback. The oncologists suggested another round of chemo, but his Mom and Dad felt that it was more than his little body could tolerate.

Andrew felt that he was going to die, and he talked readily to his Mom about death, and convinced her he was ready. The night before, he stayed awake talking mostly to his Dad, then fell asleep about 4:00 a.m. About three hours later, he awakened vomiting pure blood, his breathing was loud and heavy, and his folks detected the "death rattle." Karen described it as "fast and peaceful." Their hearts are forever broken but they know they have three little girls (5, 7,& 9) who need them so they're ready to carry on. And they're being strong and brave. Kyle has lost several friends to cancer already in his short life (15-1/2). He has a neat philosophy of life however....."to be positive live every day to the fullest, and by all means, don't wait until you come head-on with a life-threatening disease." He wrote an interesting paper on this subject in his freshman year.

Worthy of mention is that Kyle appeared on TV Channel 13 Fox News 2 weeks ago, on a show that depicted Pro Hockey Player, John McCullen, Bay Area Lightning Team, as having this same positive attitude about life. John was diagnosed exactly one year ago with non-Hodgkin's disease as Kyle had, but after chemo and a bone marrow transplant, he is planning to re-join his team this fall. Spare a prayer for John!!!

Kyle has had regular bi-monthly examinations this past year. It will be two years in July since his last chemo. One of his oncologists told him that he is doing extremely well -- they feel that he's 90% out of the woods. Prayers are still "in" until he's ALL the way out!!!

Kevin Fleming

February 23rd 1999

Ive had many, many requests on an update on my brother Kyle Fleming. He is still in remission...It is three years to this date, February 23rd that Kyle was diagnosed with Burkitt's Lymphoma. His last exam at All Children's Hospital, St. Petersburg, FL was in November 1998. His physicals with an oncologist are scheduled every four months. They really take good care of their "kids." Kyle feels good, is still uplifted; he got his driver's license when he was 16 (August 30) and works part time at Target as a cashier. He remains on the Honor Roll at Osceola High School where is in his Junior year. He has gained 100 lbs. (plus) since his days of chemotherapy, but the doctors haven't beat him over the head yet about going on a diet. Will add a paragraph in March, after his next physical.

December 5th 2001

I want to thank all who has written in with good wishes for my Brother Kyle Fleming. I am sorry I have not had the time to answer every letter in individually but I still have time to read all the emails, and all the good wishes and prayers all well appreciated. Please continue to send them in. Kyle is doing well. He just celebrated his 19th Birthday on August 30th. He continuers to be in remission going on almost 6 years now. In continues to see his Oncologist on his annual checkup in the Fall. In the past update I mentioned how Kyle had gained much of his weight and now I am glad to report that Kyle has lost 70 pounds through diet and exercise at a local gym. He now weighs around 170 which is average weight for his age and height. My family and I wish you and yours Happy Holidays for this Christmas season. Thanks again for witting we wish you all well.

I now finally figured out how to add a message board to the site so PLEASE make use of it.

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kevin@kevinsdomain,com

Last updated on July 13, 2004