Posted on: Saturday, August 21, 2004
Liver transplant gives Kamalani, 3, new hope for life
By Anna Weaver
Advertiser Staff Writer
Like many 3-year-olds, Kamalani Quindica loves to swim, run around barefoot and play in the dirt. But unlike most children her age, Kamalani has been fighting a liver cancer that only a few months ago left her with a 10 percent chance of survival.
Photo courtesy Tish Rothwell A fund-raiser to help cover the Kapolei family's medical expenses will be held today during a CD release party by the local Christian band Seven Simple Pieces at Kapono's at Aloha Tower Marketplace.
"She has the most wonderful spirit. She's so full of life and love," said Tish Rothwell, owner of The Pet Depot Ewa Beach and organizer of today's fund-raiser. "People are just amazed at her spirit and her courage."
Kamalani's health problems were detected in February when Carolyn Quindica found two hard lumps the size of a large and a small potato on Kamalani's stomach.
After blood tests and an ultrasound, Kamalani was diagnosed with hepatoblastoma, a form of liver cancer that occurs in 1 in 1.1 million children. Her case was unusual in that most children with the disease are no older than 18 months.
Today, 5 to 9 p.m. Kapono's at Aloha Tower Marketplace $10 entrance fee Money raised from a silent auction and raffle will go toward the "Friends of Kamalani" fund. Sponsored by 95.5 The Fish, The Pet Depot Ewa Beach and Seven Simple Pieces. Donations are also being accepted by the "Friends of Kamalani" Fund at any First Hawaiian Bank branch. For more information, go to www.caringbridge.org/hi/kamalani or call Tish Rothwell at Pet Depot 'Ewa Beach, 689-7387. There were multiple setbacks. When the chemotherapy didn't seem to be working, it was decided to remove the tumor. Both a June 18 surgery in Hawai'i and a June 20 surgery in San Francisco were canceled because surgeons said the tumor was too large. The only thing left to do was wait for a liver transplant.
A donor liver was found on July 29 but it was too big. Five days later another liver became available, and the transplant was a success.
"I left my junky liver in San Francisco," said Kamalani, who also wants to be free of her catheter soon and be able to run and swim again.
Kamalani's father, Kevin Quindica, who is a Kaiser Permanente physical therapist, and 7-year-old brother Kainoa will leave tomorrow to return to work and school. Mom and daughter will continue staying at the Koret Family House for sick children and their families in San Francisco. Kamalani has two or three more months of chemotherapy before she can come home.
"When she goes into chemo, she'll say, 'I don't want to be hooked up. I can't run,'" Carolyn said. "It's hard, she's only 3."
"She just wants to swim, she wants to be a kid again."
The 60 to 90 days after Kamalani's transplant are the most crucial. She has had minor liver rejection problems and is still being closely monitored. Kamalani is taking nine medications several times a day and will be on medication for the rest of her life. Carolyn, who had managed the Pet Depot in 'Ewa Beach, will be her primary caretaker.
"It's a lot to change," said Carolyn. "We have to change our whole lifestyle. But I'm so glad we have her life."
Reach Anna Weaver at aweaver@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2455.
After six months of worrying and waiting by her family, Kamalani received a new liver on Aug. 3 at the University of California San Francisco Hospital. "That was her second birthday, her liver birthday!" said her mother, Carolyn Quindica.
Kamalani Quindica celebrated a "second birthday" on Aug. 3, the day she received a new liver at a California hospital.
Kamalani immediately began chemotherapy at Kaiser Permanente Moanalua. Her initial 50 percent chance of survival dropped to 10 percent when doctors found that the cancer had spread to her lungs.
Kamalani fund-raiser
