A living miracle

In the spring of 2016, two-year-old Kori Patterson of Randallstown, MD began to experience frequent, often daily, high fevers. Mom Diona Harrington could tell something was wrong. However, every visit to the pediatrician’s office was met with the same reply, “It is a virus.” Time after time, they were sent home– no bloodwork tested or scans suggested. Kori began to have seizures and developed a distended belly. The pediatrician still dismissed Diona and Kori. After ten months of high fevers and then seeing the whites of Kori’s eyes change color, Diona knew she must do something drastic.

As an R.N., Diona took matters into her own hands – literally- by drawing Kori’s blood at home and having it tested at a lab where she worked. No sooner had the labs returned, when Diona and a colleague could read the results, it was clear that Kori was very sick. Kori was now lethargic as she was battling a large tumor the size of a grapefruit, unbeknownst to anyone. Diona, making decisions without the support of a pediatrician, took Kori to Johns Hopkins Hospital, where she was admitted immediately. Diona suspected Kori could have cancer, but the type and extent of the cancer would come as a shock.

On October 18, 2017, while they were prepping Kori for surgery, Diona was informed that Kori had a Wilms tumor (a rare kidney cancer) so large that it had metastasized and would require the removal of one kidney, and part of her pancreas and diaphragm. This resulted in a very complicated 17-hour surgery. Following surgery, it was determined that Kori had nearly a stage IV Wilms tumor.

On October 22, the medical team proposed a treatment plan of chemotherapy and radiation, but Diona recognized that Kori was too weak and frail to handle such aggressive treatment. First, her nutrition had to be addressed. Kori had lost so much weight that she could only tolerate baby food and was so weak that she could barely sit up on her own. Diona never left Kori’s side, advocating on her behalf, both as Mom and as her nurse. Kori, now three, was wearing 12- month-old infant clothing. She was nearly unrecognizable.

Kori remained inpatient at Hopkins for nearly a year, during which there were frequent scares. Once she began to gain strength, thanks to baby food feedings, Kori began a chemotherapy and radiation treatment. However, Diona had to ensure treatments were properly dosed as Kori was still underweight and only had one kidney.

Diona spent every day by Kori’s side. Thanks to the help of her mother, great aunt, and grandmother, Diona ensured that Kori’s younger sister, Kannon (age one at the time), was cared for at home. But living at your inpatient daughter’s bedside is hardly ideal for anyone. Devoting herself to Kori’s care cost Diona her job, losing not only a salary, but also benefits. The family also incurred enormous medical bills for Kori’s extensive care.

In September 2018, 4-year-old Kori, was finally discharged. Caring for Kori at home had its own challenges as Kori was still using a feeding tube. It remained difficult for her to keep food down and typically could manage one jar of baby food each day. Diona did all she could to nourish Kori, hand feeding her. Kori would make frequent returns to the ER during this time of adjustment. It was difficult to fight off any infection being so underweight.

The trauma of the diagnosis, surgery and year-long treatment has impacted the family in so many ways, common for too many cancer families. In addition to the loss of her job and financial strains, Kannon and Kori were separated for long stretches. Kori remains impacted by many latent effects, both from treatment as well as the extensive surgery. Kori is working hard to gain her independence and feel comfortable doing “normal” kid things again.

In 2024, Kori is nine (she turns ten on November 1) and in the third grade. Kannon, now seven, loves to be with her big sister, but still remembers the long stretches at home without her sister or mom.

Kori, always with a smile, is truly an inspiration. Diona remains committed to ensure that Kori’s recovery path to health is as smooth as can be.

CCF is thrilled that Kori will represent CCF in 2024 as one of the Giant Food pediatric cancer ambassadors.