Aloha ‘Ohana and friends!
As many of you know, our beautiful daughter Kiana was diagnosed with a low grade Glioma (a type of brain tumor) back in 2020 at the age of 20. Kiana had an Awake Craniotomy done at the time, in California, to remove the tumor and was monitored for the last few years to make sure the tumor would not grow back. However…..
Jumping forward to October 2024, after noticing Kiana struggling with mobility on the left side of her body, she was taken to see her doctor who then sent her to the ER where they discovered she had another tumor growing on the frontal lobe of her brain. This tumor is 4.7cm and located in the same area as her first tumor from 2020. She had a biopsy done in Honolulu and the results have revealed a Grade 2 SUPRATENTORIAL EPENDYMOMA (a rare, aggressive primary glial tumor arising from ependymal cells).
This rare brain cancer can be treated with chemotherapy and/or radiation which will only slow down the growth but not destroy the tumor. As many of us know Chemotherapy and Radiation can also reduce her quality of life as well as reduce her chances to become a mother one day. This tumor has affected her in worse ways than the first tumor. She has focal seizures, intense anxiety attacks and has lost her mobility and strength on the left side of her body. Her ability to move around puts a lot of stress on the rest of her body which increases her headaches and causes exhaustion throughout the day. She is unable to work, drive or travel anywhere without assistance of a wheelchair, cane or another person for support. We want her to get the best care she can possibly get and we have researched many options.
Kiana and her fiancé Tua have found a doctor who is willing to treat Kiana, as he has done with many other cancer patients, using a personalized and precision targeted immunotherapy approach. His name is Dr. Burzynski and he established the Burzynski Clinic in 1977 which is located in Houston, Texas. He caught our attention because his treatments are personalized to each patient and their cancers. He found a way to specifically attack cancer cells in the body without doing harm to healthy cells. His treatments may involve the combination of targeted therapies and immunotherapy with conventional therapy as well as involving the use of Antineoplastons. He has been treating and has cured many patients for over the last 40 years and his treatments have had a more positive impact on people’s lives.
Unfortunately, insurance companies do not cover these services. After doing our research and looking at all of our options we know that The Burzynski Clinic is where we need to be. Kiana and I will be flying to Houston in February for her consultation and to begin her treatments. We will be there for approximately one month while the doctors get her on her personalized treatment plan and make sure she is able to tolerate the prescribed medications. Once she is discharged from the clinic we will return home where she will be able to receive and continue her treatments using a Central Venous Catheter Line and pump. We are trying to raise enough funds to help pay for Kiana’s medical expenses which will cost approximately $17,000.00 per month for one year. Plus additional costs for necessary medical equipment.
We humbly ask you, if you are able to, please donate if you can. Every contribution, no matter how big or small, will help us get Kiana the treatments she needs and it will allow us to focus on supporting her along the way. #KōkuaForKiki If you are unable to donate at this time we ask that you please share this post and continue to pray for Kiana and our ‘ohana. Prayers are Powerful and we will need them to help carry us through this journey. Your support is greatly appreciated and will never go unnoticed!
Mahalo Nui Loa
