Dakota
Kwiecinski is three years old. Earlier this year the Navajo/Caucasian boy was
diagnosed with Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. HLH is a rare disorder
primarily affecting young children.
A
world-wide call for bone marrow donors began in May, 2003. After months of
prayers, cells were found in an umbilical cord. Although not a perfect match,
the new cells have been transplanted and Dakota is celebrating a healthy
recovery and faces a good chance of survival.
Dakotas mother and
grandmother have honored Native Village by sharing an update and pictures
of this beautiful boy. Please enjoy the information and photo pages, which
have been designed with Dakotas favorite pictures, colors, and sounds.
From Dakota's
mother, Tristan Kwiecinski:
I'm Dakota's
mother and I wanted to give you the good news about Dakota. His prospects for
overcoming HLH are now very good. He was admitted to the Baby and Children's
Hospital of New York on September 7. Her received a stem cell transplant using
cells from an anonymously donated umbilical cord on September 16. Since then, we
have been helping him in the healing process everyday. It would appear that his
new stem cells are doing what they need to in the bone marrow. He is making new
white blood cells and he his spirit is optimistic. He has a little beaded ball
that he holds in the palm of his hand. It is beautifully designed in bright
colors. When he holds it, I tell him to think about making new blood in his body
to "get all better." He understands that he is healing.
The long hospital stay is difficult on us, however. We spend our days playing
with toys and watching cartoons. Dakota is tired of the doctors and nurses
checking up on him. He wants to go outside and play in the park. But he
understands that he has to spend some more time getting better.
We will probably be in the hospital for at least another two weeks while he
heals from some common complications of the transplant. The path to recovery
from this disease is a long one, but we are traveling with beauty and love.
I am very touched by the generosity that we have received. So many people I will
never meet have prayed for my son and have helped us in so many ways. I will
never really be able to say thank you to the individuals, so I thank the Spirit
that unites every one of us in life.
Sincerely,
Tristan Kwiecinski, Dakota's mother
|
Dakota's photo album with comments by his grandmother, Kathleen Holmes. |
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| Dakota Kwiecinski Home | Dakota saying Breakfast Prayers | Dakota At Breakfast | With Miss Indian World | Dakota in Park | Dakota After Transplant |
Dakota' homepage: http://www.dakotakwiecinski.org/
