Streamwood girl battles cancer -- with lots of help and support

Darleen Felten began senior year at Streamwood High School being crowned homecoming queen.

She ended the year worrying whether she'd have a full head of hair under her graduation cap.

Just two weeks before commencement, Felten began chemotherapy treatments for Ewing's sarcoma, a rare pediatric bone cancer.

It's a twist of fate the now-20-year-old never expected, but one she continues to fight despite a barrage of debilitating treatments.

"There are no guarantees it'll work, so that's hard," she says. "It's out of my control."

Felten was riding high as a popular senior involved in drama, sports, student government and clubs when he first noticed the pain in her leg in April 2006.

Though the diagnosis was scary, doctors said she'd have an 85 to 95 percent chance of complete recovery after her surgery that August and the 10 more rounds of chemotherapy that followed.

On March 2, Felten finished treatment at 1:11 a.m. -- her favorite number -- and says she was told she'd be cancer-free. But two months later, doctors discovered the cancer spread to her lungs.

"It was a complete shock how fast it came back and how fast it was growing," Felten said. "You're thinking, 'This is it, I'm going to die.' "

Now, six months later, Felten is thriving with the help of a new course of treatment -- as well as a community that's embraced her.

The most recent show of support came Nov. 17 when New Hope Community, a new Streamwood church, hosted the Fight for Felten 5K Run-Walk with support from many area businesses.

The turnout was more than event organizers ever imagined. Nearly 350 people registered, and there weren't enough T-shirts to go around.

"An army of people showed up," said Pastor Matt Armstrong. "Darleen's obviously a very special person with a magnetic personality."

Friend Katie Davidson, who met Felten junior year on the Streamwood High track team, helped spearhead the event. The pair had recently reconnected, and it was Davidson who introduced Felten to the church last August.

"I hadn't gone to church in a while," Felten said. "I still believed in God, but I'd definitely lost my faith a little."

She felt at home right away, so much so that she now volunteers weekly at the church's after-school Crossroads Kids Club in Hanover Park.

For that couple of hours, Felten says she forgets she's sick.

"If I'm ever feeling tired or having a bad day, I just come here and see the kids and their energy," Felten says. "There's something about the innocence of a child. It's nice to forget about things once in a while."

When Felten had to miss a few weeks for treatment, Davidson said the kids were "freaking out."

"That's because I sneak them candy," Felten joked.

Last Thursday's club was an especially good day. Felten kept up with the kids, helped read a Christmas story and even played Frisbee.

Other days aren't so good.

The new chemo produces less severe, but more drawn out, side effects. She typically doesn't feel well until day 18 of her 21-day treatment cycle.

Aside from the hair loss, Felten gets mouth sores and bloody noses. She's fatigued. Her fingertips and feet get numb to the point she can't walk. Low hemoglobin counts necessitate regular blood transfusions.

So far, it's well worth it.

Since surgery in May to remove tumors on her lungs, the 30 cancerous nodules have been reduced to less than 10. Monday she begins more chemo, the 23rd round since that first pain in her leg.

Felten's mother, Debbie Kirkman, doesn't give full credit to the chemo.

"It's her determination and new-found faith," Kirkman says. "She's so stoic."

It's people like those who took part in the Streamwood race who also help Felten fight.

The event netted nearly $15,000, of which 25 percent went to a charity. Felten got more than $10,500 and plans to split her share with a family whose son succumbed to a similar disease.

The expenses that come with an illness like Felten's add up quickly.

There's the gas to drive downtown to Rush Presbyterian hospital, parking garage fees, food at the hospital, repairs to her jalopy of a car.

Then there's the prescriptions. A medicine for her mouth sores runs $178 a week.

"I stopped taking it," Felten said, annoyed. "It's this teeny little bottle. I'll go without because we're not paying for that."

Since the treatment is now done on an outpatient basis, her insurance might stop covering the $6,000 serum she receives at her weekly chemo sessions.

"They can cut off your medication at any time," she said. "You don't know what'll happen."

One organization wanted Felten to forget about those kinds of harsh life lessons.

Neighbors for Neighbors in Bartlett surprised her with a $2,500 gift -- but on one condition: She must spend it on herself.

Felten can't help but think of presents for other patients she's met. It's no secret she loves to talk, and chemo sessions last hours.

"There's an instant bond formed when you're going through the same thing as someone else," she says.

"We're vulnerable and scared and we can share that with each other. There's an automatic trust. They help me get through this."

How to help

• Donations to help Felten's family offset her medical expenses can be sent to Fight for Felten, New Hope Community, 1584 Buttitta Drive, #335, Streamwood, IL 60107.

• To learn more, go to fightforfelten.com.