Kannon
Age: 4
Hometown: Spokane, WA
Diagnosis: Wilm’s tumor
LAST OCTOBER, Kannon’s mom Kellee noticed that his belly was bulging a bit and that he couldn’t seem to get rid of a cold. Kellee took him for a visit to his pediatrician who told her that Kannon had a hernia under his belly button but that they shouldn’t worry until he started playing sports and was a few years older.
However, that April when Kannon’s grandparents visited, they couldn’t help but say how large Kannon’s stomach still looked. That prompted another visit to the pediatrician and this time doctors discovered a large, cancerous tumor in Kannon’s kidney, otherwise known as Wilm’s tumor, which is diagnosed only 500 times nationwide each year.
Three days later, Kannon was at Seattle Children’s for surgery to remove the 5-pound, watermelon-shaped mass, along with his right kidney. The procedure marked the beginning of a long recovery and a seven-month stay at the Ronald McDonald House in Seattle.
Kellee and Kannon are very thankful for the House. “Being able to stay here means one less worry for us – and more time to focus on Kannon’s health,” says Kellee. “When we came here, Kannon was so sick that he couldn’t be in public. The services at the House meant we didn’t need to worry about going anywhere other than his appointments. And here, we live a block from the hospital, so we are always near his medical team. Without the Ronald McDonald House, none of this would be possible.”
Kellee says living at the House and being around fellow patients has made Kannon more compassionate. He enjoys playing with his friends, the computers and being in the kitchen, a gathering place here at the House. His treatment is going well and he hopes to go home soon.
As for his future, he has big plans. He looks forward to being a doctor and if that doesn’t work out, a tow truck driver! He has swept many of the nurses at Seattle Children’s off their feet with his cuteness and charm. In fact, he’s already determined that he will marry his charge nurse someday.