A Monster Hat for Kellan

We received this wonderful picture from Mighty Kellan, wearing his Monster Hat. Thank you Kellan for sending us this wonderful picture. We met Mighty Kellan from our friend Liam whom we made an identical hat for (see original story here). Kellan has been fighting an unknown disease as described from his facebook page:

He began experiencing issues shortly after birth. Unable to keep down feedings and loosing weight at 2 weeks old Mighty Kellan was admitted to the hospital for testing and the placement of an NJ tube (feeding tube from nose to the intestines). We made slow progress with weight gain after several admissions to the hospital and the continued bulking up on calories but we still had no answers. A second opinioin lead us to the decision of a g tube (feeding tube button place into his stomach) at 4 months of age. Again progress was slow and soon Kellan’s development began to lag behind. He was started with PT, OT, ST around 7 months of age. He still to this days struggles with developmental delays but has recently started walking. Around his first birthday Kellan underwent surgery for a benign palatal tumor. Some results from genetic testing lead us to see a second opinion endocrinologist who started Kellan on growth hormone at 15 months of age, Kellan was at this time diagnosed with growth hormone deficency. In late April of 2012 Kellan experienced his first seizure and was placed on antiseizure medication. Then in June 2012 suffering from what we thought was a stomach virus Kellan was admitted to the hospital where he would spend the entire summer and fall. After many failed attempts at restarting feeds through various types of feeding tubes (g tube, gj tube, nj tube, j tube) it was determined that Kellan would remain on TPN (IV nutrition) for the forseeable future. With the start of IV nutrition we saw Kellan put on weight, grow and make progress developmentally, all things that were huge issues prior to TPN. We still have a long way to go and no answers but our Mighty Kellan keeps battling and smiling every day. We appreciate your prayers, thoughts, kind words, questions, and thoughts.

Kellan truly is a Mighty boy. He has been fighting since birth and still manages to maintain a beautiful smile. I can see it shining through his pacifier. Please stop by his facebook page (link) to show him some love and support. Be sure to mention that Knitting Rays of Hope sent you. Kellan, we hope that you keep up the fighting and pray that you are healed of all problems and live a full and healthy life.
~Vanessa