It is with great sadness that I must tell you that Dylan lost her battle for life on November 18, 2010. Please keep her family in your thoughts and prayers.
I want to share this with you. I know this young lady and the struggles she has been through.
When Dylan was 16 a series of events began to unfold.
At first, she was diagnosed with lactose intolerance. No big deal just no more dairy products, but then things got worse…and worse.
Dylan began to have bouts of hemorrhaging in her stools. Her weight began to drop, and there were other things that began to cause her difficulties that at the time seemed unrelated.
One medication after another was tried, in fact, series of medications were tried, and for a short time one of them seemed to do the trick…but not for long.
Then her gastroenterologist said that if this one last round of medication did not work there was only one thing left to try…6-MP…CHEMO. This was going to be used to reduce the inflammation in her body which was amazingly high. However, no one could have known it would have a completely opposite affect on her body.
After less than 3 weeks on chemo the inflammation in her body tripled, and a feeding tube had to be placed in her stomach. Still, she could not gain weight and continued to lose weight instead. The chemo was discontinued after 6 weeks, but Dylan’s health continued to decline.
By October 6, 2009, she was admitted to the hospital due to dehydration and malnutrition. SHE WAS STARVING TO DEATH. The next morning a PICC Line was placed in her arm and she was started on intravenous nourishment called TPN. When it became evident that she would need this for long term, a central line was placed into her chest. From October to December she underwent 2 surgeries and 2 bouts of pneumonia.
The hemorrhaging became worse and by the end of January 2010, she needed 2 units of blood. Then she began running a high fever and her lungs began to give way. Her current lung function is now at 30 percent. When she sleeps or when her oxygen sat reaches 92 she is required to go on oxygen.
Dylan was seen by the department head of the Kirkland Clinic (Birmingham, AL), Dr. Charles Elson, upon the request of her surgeon. Dr. Elson’s pulled a team of specialist together to review Dylan’s case and to review the biopsies. Their diagnosis of Dylan is that she is in SEVERE INTESTINAL FAILURE, due to Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis, and gastritis.
Since Dylan does not respond to traditional therapies, we have to look else where. On July 19th, Dylan is scheduled to see Dr. Michelle Inkster, at the Cleveland Clinic, who specializes in cases like Dylan’s.
Dylan who is now 20 years old hopes for the day when she will be given a second chance at life.
YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT WILL ENABLE DYLAN TO HOLD ON TO THAT HOPE…..
Please, if you can help go to http://dylanburson.chipin.com/get-dylan-to-cleveland-clinic-to-save-her-life