"Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile, kindness in your warm greeting."
Mother Teresa
Cancer stripped her of everything including her life but it could not steal away God's LOVE, PEACE and the JOY that radiated through her. Korrine never stopped SMILING!
Korrine Lannie Croghan
Korrine Croghan was a vivacious 14-year-old girl who lived all of her life in Livermore, CA. She had a love for animals, sports, and most of all, family. Korrine was a straight “A” student while attending Mendenhall Middle School and was working hard in her first trimester at Granada High. She was a great friend to many and was everything that a brother, mother and father could ask for in a daughter. Korrine was the type of girl who would greet you with a wide smile and look into your eyes and truly would want to know how you were doing
Korrine & Cancer
On December 20th, 2007, Korrine was diagnosed with Choriocarcinoma with a germ cell element. Choriocarcinoma is a very rare type of cancer in teenage girls and inflicts less than 200 nationwide each year. Although the cancer started in her left ovary, the cancer had spread to her right ovary, lungs and liver. After the removal of a cantaloupe sized tumor in her left ovary on December 21st of 2007, Korrine, endured 10 months of intense chemotherapy designed for adult men.
During the course of her treatment, Korrine suffered many complications. In early April of 2007, her liver began to bleed. After staying at Kaiser Oakland for almost two weeks, Korrine was transfered to UCSF and spent a month in the intensive care unit. The doctors at UCSF Medical Center were finally able to stop her bleeding liver, but, not before it filled her abdomen with 5 liters of blood that had to be drained via a tube inserted into her stomach. On top of that, both of Korrines’ lungs collapsed while undergoing a CT scan that almost took her life. Because of that, 2 liters of fluid needed to be drained off of her lungs with the use of another drainage tube. Throughout her treatment Korrine needed numerous blood and platelet transfusions. She had nosebleeds that lasted an hour on several occasions. At one point, she had 18 intravenous tubes running through her body filled with anti-bacterials, anti-fungals, nutrition, painkillers and chemotherapy. Korrine miraculously made it through those tough days at UCSF and returned to Kaiser Hospital in Oakland. She was finally stable and was released to go home in late June. Just as things were starting to look up for her, she suffered septic shock in July that forced her to go back into intensive care at Kaiser in Santa Clara for 2 weeks.
Korrine returned home in late July and went through imaging scans to see if the cancer had disappeared. The scans always came back good, but not great. In an effort to kill and stop the remaining cancer cells, she underwent an emergency round of chemotherapy in early September. Unfortunately, it did kill the remaining cancer and her doctors had run out of options.
Korrine spent her last days at home with her family reading books and loving on her cats and dog. She passed away quietly, at home, on October 27th, 2008. Through it all, Korrine had a positive attitude and never gave up or complained. Many consider Korrine a hero.
Team KC
The Team KC website was originally started as a way to encourage, educate, raise awareness, and keep friends and family informed with accurate information on Korrine's treatment and progress. Family, classmates, friends, community members, and complete strangers rallied to support Korrine and her family through her fight against Choriocarcinoma. We were amazed by the amount of support we received, and it is now our desire to give back. In March, 2009, Team KC became an official nonprofit by joining forces with Kaiser Foundation Hospital. All monies raised by Team KC will directly benefit pediatric cancer patients and their families. All monetary contributions are tax deductible.
Our Mission: To help improve the quality of life of pediatric cancer patients and their families. We wish to supply children with fun activities, toys and anything else that will brighten and better their lives. Monies will also be used to help parents pay for bills and defray the costs of gas, food and lodging that go along with caring for a child with cancer.
Stay Positive, LIVESTRONG & Welcome to Team KC!
*This is the official Team KC website and the only website approved by the Croghan family. Please do not use content, images, or video from this site without permission. This is an effort to respect the family's privacy and ensure that all content is accurate and approved. Thank you for your cooperation.
A Note From Korrine (written after her 4th round of Chemo)...
Hello everyone! It's me, Korrine. I just wanted to take a
moment to thank each and every one of you for supporting me through emails,
visits, food, gifts, and most importantly, prayer. Without it, I probably
wouldn't have made it this far. Anyways, on a happier note, I am happy to
announce that I am feeling very good. This last round of chemo hit me pretty
hard, but I think that it is more exiting to end things with a big BANG! I will
try to start writing things for the blog now that my chemo therapy is over, but
until then, just know that I love every single one of you and I am always
thinking about my family, friends, and even the people who I've never met
before. Thanks for joining my battle and for making this experience "The
Experience of a Lifetime." LIVESTRONG! And stay positive.
Korrine Lannie Croghan
Korrine underwent her liver biopsy this afternoon and the doctors
who performed the procedure are confident that they got a
good sample. Tomorrow her doctors will take a sample of
her bone marrow and examine it. Korrine's pain is being
controlled by the awesome staff at Kaiser Oakland where she will
remain in their care until they can get to the bottom of her
pain and low platelet counts.
It's time to pass the word and pray for our fearless leader. We all know how tough Korrine is both mentally and physically but she can always use a few warriors on her side. Please pray that the doctors will get
to the bottom of what pains Korrine. Also pray that this diagnosis will be one that can be treated
with medicine, prayer and the power of positive thought.
With Love
The Croghans
28 comments:
Korrine,
We are thinking of you all the time! I know the plan for your birthday week did not include a hospital stay... but as your blog reminds us, you are getting excellent care from the best doctors and nurses!
Sending lots of hugs and positive thoughts your way.
hugs and love, kathy t.
We're with you all the way!!!!Our love prayers and blessings are with you this evening and every minute of our days.
Keeping the Faith,
The Shulls
We are praying, praying, praying like crazy. Our High School Youth Group at Cornerstone is praying, everyone I know and email is praying too. We are praying and believing with you. We love you Korrine.
Dear Croghan Family,
I am praying for all of you and especially Korrine several times a day. I have told your story at my school and have asked for prayers and support for Team KC. I am praying hard that the doctors will be able to help Korrine and that the Lord will continue to make you all strong in love.
Hang in there Korrine and know that you are loved!
Cindy Vance (your kindergarten teacher)
Hi Korrine,
It sounds like you finally have your pain under control, thankfully and I hope this treatment continues to work for you.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all the time. I know people all over the United States who are praying for you too.
You have inspired so many with your positive attitude. Most of all we pray for your recovery so you can get back to enjoying life and all that you love to do.
Keep fighting, Korrine. We love you and hope to see you very soon.
Lots of love,
Maureen
Korrine,
I am so sorry that you are in so much pain, but know that so many people are thinking of you and praying for you. Keep being strong and faithful! Myself and all your loving friends and family are all praying for your pain to be eased so that you can recover quickly!
God Bless you,
Mary Rosa
Korrine,
I am so sorry that you are in so much pain, but know that so many people are thinking of you and praying for you. Keep being strong and faithful! Myself and all your loving friends and family are all praying for your pain to be eased so that you can recover quickly!
God Bless you,
Mary Rosa
Hi Korrine, I check your website every few days, and you and your family are always in my prayers. I so look forward to hearing good news soon that you are feeling better and back home! Sending you love from Southern California, your neighbors from years ago,
The Johnsons,
Candy, Mark, Sam and Molly
Korrine,
So sorry to hear that you are in so much pain. We are praying that you get well very soon! Continue to smile, stay positive, and know that we are all pulling for you! You are an amazing young girl with an amazing spirit. God has big plans for you. LIVESTRONG TEAM KC! :)
Hugs to you and your family,
The Moreau Family (Carrie, Scott, Trevor, & Evan)
ps- Just wanted to wish you a Happy Birthday or Happy Belated Birthday if it already passed!
Thanks for the update about Korrine. I just got the update in time to say many prayers before retiring
for the day.If we all stay strong for you Korrine, I believe that your wonderful army of angels will come through for you and everyone.
We love you and your family.
Ian and Debby
Hello, Korrine!
You don't know me but I know you because Glen Biggs is my son - I'm Jessica's grandmother. Judy requested prayer for you when you first started treatment.
I passed on that prayer request to a group of women who are committed prayer warriors, they live all over the US.
Please be assured of our continued prayer as you and your family have requested.
God loves you Korrine!
Hello, Korrine!
You don't know me but I know you because Glen Biggs is my son - I'm Jessica's grandmother. Judy requested prayer for you when you first started treatment.
I passed on a prayer request on your behalf to a group of women who are committed prayer warriors living all over the US. Please be assured of our continued prayer as you and your family have requested.
God loves you Korrine!
Korrine is receiving blood transfusions today. April 17, 2008.
We walk by FAITH . . .
What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see. Hebrews 11:1 (NLT)
“Faith is not simply believing that God can. It is knowing that He will.” “Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith.” Heb. 10:22
Trusting in Faith,
Auntie Denise
Korrine,
I just said a massive prayer for you in the Spirit, that He will heal you and your body of this cancer. I know that Our God is More that Able to do it! That He guide you and your family to His joy, peace, love and totally surround you in His arms today and every day. That you feel His presence and give it all to Him (your pain, your healing, your cancer), Korrine. I am a friend of a friend of friend to you in the Holy Spirit and was sent to pray for you today. Praise our God forever, He is the Master Healer!
God Bless you and your family!!!!
Tammy Romaguera, Oakley, CA, Cornerstone Christian Center/Antioch, CA
Korrine.
You are so strong and so loved! You are such a blessing and inspiration to all of us following your progress.
I hope that you have a great 14th birthday tomorrow! You will be on my mind all day.
Always hope and have faith. Praying for your strength, spirit, and health.
Miss you!
Paula Dreifuerst
We're praying for you and your family. I'm asking God to make His presence known to you as you live through this difficult time. He is using you and your family in a mighty way uniting people together. I have group of women who know how to pray coming over tonight. We will be praying for you.
The Terpstra Family
Dear Croghan Family,
We were so sad to hear that Korrine is back in the hospital. We are including her in our prayers, of course, but we have also asked our extended family to keep her in their prayers as well. You are all such special people who have touched so many others. We look forward to seeing your smiling face back at Smith School Korrine!
God Bless all of you,
The Muzzall Family,
Shane, Jenn, Kylie, Katie & Caroline
Korrine,
I am a friend of your Dad's from high school, and have been checking you blog at least weekely since January. My family has been praying so much for you, and we will step it up a notch to help you overcome your current battle. You are amazing, truly you are!!!
What a small world...a good freind of mine is doing your swim-a-thon Sunday because your Dad coaches her neighbor. I am telling you girlfriend...the Bay Area (and beyond) are uniting to pray for you!
Trusting in Him,
Julie (Rice) Thall
hi korrine!
you're birthday is tomorrow!
yay!
i hope you have at least one day free of pain. :)
we are all praying for you and know you will overcome this attack.
i love you, midget (ahh. when did we make that up? 2nd grade or something? :D )
-love katie morgan
This hurdle you are jumping over will make the VICTORY that much greater
Hi Korrine and family,
Know you are all in my thoughts and prayers today and every day.
CutiePie, you especially touch my heart. Your smile, your kindness and your strength constantly remind me how He has worked in you and how you are His princess.
Hug each other and know that we are with you -- praying, believing and trusting that you will be healed.
Love~
Sue Bakalar
Korrine,
I am thinking of your birthday, and know it is so hard to go through the pain and everything else you are enduring to get better. I can't believe you are 14 years old tomorrow. I work at your dad's school, and when I saw you in the parking lot a few years ago,you so much impressed me with your way of speaking, sweetness, and how pretty you are! I can't believe what a beautiful young lady you are, and how fast time goes. Someday, when you are enjoying a fabulous, fun filled birthday, you will look back on this birthday as a memory of the hardest time of your life, when you turned 14. So I won't even say "Happy Birthday". Only that I never stop praying for you, ever, and you have an unbelievable army of people loving and praying for you with supernatural power, going up with a strong voice. My prayer is when you are older, and looking back on all this, you will see the strength of character that was forged through the hardest, most painful time of your life, and the blessing you will be to so many in the future. The healthy, happy future.
Love, Yolanda
Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday dear Korrinieeeeeee! Happy birthday to you!
You are OH so great and you are OH so loved! The sun will shine again and you will celebrate your birthday!
Dana I am also loving you and praying for you. He is here. He has you all in the palm of His hand. He was there then, and He is here now. We love all of you and live in hope and expectation.
Love and hugs to all of you!
Happy Birthday, Korrine! I hope you're feeling better. How does it feel to be 14?
Just think that you have all the years of love and strength of all of these people behind you. You inspire us all so much!
Amanda Johnston
Quoting from "Christ the Healer", by F.F. Bosworth, p. 122-123:
"God has already given us all things.
The Bible tell us there is not Word of God without power. Psalm 107:20 tells us: 'He sent his word, and healed them.' This is His way of healing both our souls and our bodies. I have known of many who have been healed after reading the words in Isaiah 53:5, 'With his stripes we are healed.' They then said 'God says I am healed, and I am going to believe God and not my feelings.' By saying and repeating what He says and acting accordingly, even cancers have disappeared. When we steadfastly believe and act our faith in God's Word, nothing can keep the power in the Word from making all things to become exactly as the Word says. All we have to do is firmly believe what the Word says. We need to resolutely refuse to see, believe or think of the things that contradict the Word. We are to take sides with God and believe that all need for spirit, soul, and body is already ours."
All sin and sickness was taken from us at the Cross. Believe healing IS here, right now. In Jesus' Name.
Happy 14th birthday Korrine!! Our prayers and love are with you today and everyday. You are an inspiration to us all.
With love,
Kim, Will, and Allie
Hi Korrine, Matt, Dana & Sean,
Today we SwimStrong for YOU!
You are with us in spirit today and in our hearts, thoughts and prayers.
We love you and miss you and most of all we pray that you are feeling better today.
I sent you pictures and will continue sending them throughout the day so you can be here too, with us!
Lots of love,
Maureen
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