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Kelli Has Defeated Cancer! In support of Kelli Inouye

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Kelli Inouye was seventeen years old when she was a victim of cancer. After graduating Mid-Pacific Institute with Honors Recognition in the class of 2009, she continued to work at Domenico's Motorcycles, and had aspirations of attending school at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, majoring in Electrical Engineering. However, in the middle of the summer of 2009, Kelli faced an unfortunate situation. After experiencing some discomfort and "sharp" pain in the lower side of her stomach (near the left ovary), she went to see her doctor, Dr. Jana Morisada. After a few weeks, a mass-like structure was noticed where the site of the pain was. Kelli was unable to take deep breaths because of the pressure and pain caused by this mass. Eventually, she was sent to Pali Momi Medical Center where she received an ultrasound. The ultrasound detected that the mass measured about 14 centimeters wide. Within a few days of the ultrasound, Kelli scheduled an appointment to meet with Dr. Michael Carney, a specialist at the Women's Cancer Center at Kapiolani Hospital. At this specific appointment, she discovered that she would have to remove the mass through surgery. After her surgery on September 17, 2009, the large mass was taken out. Kelli received an incision of about 8cm long under her bikini line (similar to, but smaller than, a C-section). The mass was full of liquid, and contained brain tissue and hair. The mass appeared to be benign at first sight, but it still had to be sent away for biopsy. After a two-week follow-up appointment, the journey awaited. Kelli was told she had cancer. She was diagnosed with a rarer form of cancer called an immature teratoma. Although the removed mass appeared to be benign, the liquid around it was malignant. She would have to have anywhere from 4-6 sessions (one session is 5 days) of chemotherapy. The chemotherapy involved an IV and three drugs, where five days a week would be one session. She would lose all of her hair, and be nauseous because of the chemotherapy. She has successfully finished the recommended four sessions of chemotherapy, and has had her left ovary removed through surgery on January 12, 2010. She is now a cancer survivor and is working full-time until fall 2010, where she will go back to school and "pick-up" where she left off. Kelli would specifically like to thank all of her family (especially mom and dad) and friends who have helped pull through this very tough time. She would also like to give special recognition to her family at Domenico's Motorcycles and the Windward Harley Owner's Group for being supportive through all that she has gone through. Thank you to all who have donated and bought Tribe Tags and have contributed to supporting Kelli through this time.