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I Support Kelli Inouye. In support of Kelli Inouye

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Kelli-Alyssa Kaori Inouye was seventeen years old when she found out she was a victim of cancer. After graduating Mid-Pacific Institute with Honors Recognition in May of 2009, she continued to work at Domenico's Motorcycles, and would soon be attending school at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, majoring in Electrical Engineering. As summer of 2009 approached, her life was changed. After experiencing some discomfort and unexplainable pain in the lower side of her stomach (near the left ovary), she went to see her pediatrician Jana Morisada. After a few weeks, a mass-like structure began to become noticeable where the site of the pain was. Kelli was unable to take deep breaths because of the mass-like structure. Eventually, she was sent to Pali Momi Medical Center where she received an ultrasound. The result was a mass that measured about 14cm wide in her stomach, but it wasn't clear what it was. Soon after, Kelli scheduled an appointment 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 have (her first) surgery. After many tears and panicking, she was ready to overcome this new journey. 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 a C-section). The mass was full of liquid, and contained brain tissue and hair. The mass appeared to be benign, but it still had to be sent away for biopsy. After a two-week follow-up appointment, the next journey awaited. Kelli was told she had cancer. She was diagnosed with a type 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. She has currently finished four sessions of chemotherapy, and now has to have surgery to remove the rest of her left ovary. Please continue to pray for her and support her as she overcomes this journey! Kelli would specifically like to thank all of her family and friends who have helped pull through this very tough time. She would also like to give special recognition to the staff at Domenico's Motorcycles and the Windward Harley Owner's Group for being such a supportive family 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.