Monday, January 24, 2011

A letter by Trenton's Aunt Kelli

In June 2007, my 17-year-old nephew was diagnosed with malignant melanoma (a form of skin cancer).    Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer; it develops in the cells that produce melanin.  While it is not the most common of the skin cancers, it causes the most deaths.  The American Cancer Society estimates that at present, about 120,000 new cases of melanoma in the US are diagnosed each year.  More than one person dies each hour from melanoma and advanced stages of melanoma have no effective treatment.
Trenton is an only child that has spent the last 3 ½ years battling this horrible disease, a disease that no young adult deserves to deal with.  Trenton has hopes and dreams similar to every other kid his age, such as, beginning a life of adulthood, going to college, joining the service, and starting a career.  He loves to fish, camp, ride dirt bikes and hang with friends just like any other young man does, but having melanoma in his leg and abdomen has put a halt on his life.  Trenton has spent long days and weeks in the hospitals, endured surgeries that caused every complication and side effect known and nearly lost his leg.  He has been unable to do the things he enjoys most because of the constant pain and treatments that make him so ill he does not want to get out of bed.   
When melanoma cancer has spread beyond the original tumor site, such as, Trenton’s, it becomes hard to treat and can be fatal.  Trenton is doing everything possible to fight this.
He has had surgery to remove the affected lymph nodes.  He has had Chemotherapy that was administered into a vein in his leg to destroy the cancer cells.  It is a procedure called isolated limb perfusion.  During the procedure, blood in his leg is not allowed to travel to other areas of the body for a short time, so that the chemotherapy drugs travel directly to the area around the melanoma and won’t affect other parts of the body.  He has gone through biological therapy (immunotherapy).  This helps boost the immune system by using a drug called Alpha-interferon.  It is the only drug currently approved by the FDA for melanoma patients.  (The side effects are awful).  He currently just finished his final round of another clinical trial drug for immunotherapy.  Unfortunately, these treatments have not worked as we all hoped they would. 
Melanoma/skin cancer is the most underfunded and least screened cancer.  People find their own melanomas more frequently than doctors do, just as Trenton did.  The emotional and physical costs are incalculable.  Trenton wishes to go to Disneyland this spring with all his family, to have fun and forget about this cancer for a few days.  We want to help raise money to pay for Trenton and his parents so his wish will come true.  It is the very least we can do for such an awesome, deserving kid.

 SOURCE:  National Cancer Institute
American Cancer Society's Facts and Figures, The Skin Cancer Foundation, The American Academy of Dermatology





Wednesday, January 19, 2011

"Trenton's Wish" {Mini} Photo Shoot

Photo Drive for "Trenton's Wish"



In June of 2007, my nephew Trenton was diagnosed with Melanoma just after his 17th birthday.  Since then, they have tried everything possible to fight off this horrible disease.  He even spent Months in Utah in a hospital and in the Burn Unit in Washington after a treatment they only do there because he had a horrible reaction and almost lost his leg.  Since then trials and treatment after treatment, unfortunately they aren't working.  He only has a couple options left and they are for pain management only.  We pray for a miracle each day but know that not everyone is blessed with a miracle.  Trenton has a wish, and his wish is to go to Disneyland, one last time, with all of his family.  That's at least 20 people, between his Parents, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and Cousins.  We are a very tight family and want to provide this wish for him.  He does not know we are raising money to make "Trenton's Wish" come true!

We are asking for Donations to get Trenton, and his Parents to Disneyland.  I do understand that we all are having difficulty times with the economy so it is difficult for me to ask you to give him money.  I had to come up with something.  I am having a "Photo Drive for Trenton's Wish".  50% of Session fees during the photo drive will go to help sending Trenton and his family to Disneyland and for other Medical expenses.



PHOTO DRIVE FOR "TRENTON'S WISH"
When:  
Sunday, January 30th
and 
Sunday, February 13th

Where: Sweetpea Memories Photography Studio
{address will be given}

Times:  By appointment only
email us for an appointment

COST:  $50.00
{due at scheduling}
You will receive a 30 minute session and 
6 of your favorite images from your session for downloading.
Pay for your session here:  {SESSION}

We've all heard to hug and tell your loved ones how much you love them everyday, because 
you never know when they will be gone. 

Now's the time to 
"Capture your Memories, with or of your LOVED ones, 
to Last a Lifetime"

Please contact me if you have any further questions, or have other ways to help. . . 
To Trenton, anything is EVERYTHING!


To Pay for your Session click here: {SESSION}

To Donate, click here:  {DONATE}  You may donate any amount desired!
My name is Shannon Meadows and I've put this blog together to provide information regarding "Trenton's Wish".  Trenton Inabnit is my nephew and is fighting Melanoma.  His wish, is to go to Disneyland, one last time with his whole family.  His parents don't have the funds to take him and it is our families goal to get him there.  Can you help make "Trenton's Wish" come true??

"Trenton' Story"





Trenton is 20 years old and lives in Sedro Woolley, WA. A mole was discovered on the back of his calf and was diagnosed with melanoma in June of 2007. He went through 9 months of treatment with it returning June 2008.  Since then, he has tried different medications and trials.  Unfortunately, nothing is working as we would like.  Now we are hoping for a Miracle for Trenton.