The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by Bonnie Johnson, Quill Staff
Yes, Dani Sartorius is dynamite in a small package! She is almost 20 years old and she is one courageous and gutsy young lady.
Danielle (Dani) Sartorius, was born in New York, City, October 1, 1984. She is the daughter of Bob and Kim Miller, Burlington, IA, and Michael and Bernie Sartorius, Flower Mount, TX.
When she was just eighteen months old, she became very ill. Her mother, Kim Keever Miller, took her to specialists in New York City and surrounding areas. They couldn't diagnose the illness even though they took blood tests; so they just called it a "bug".
Kim said, "She was getting so thin because she couldn't quit vomiting, and my family encouraged me to bring her back to the University Hospitals in Iowa City, Iowa, and we did.
The University Hospitals put Dani through some horrible tests and forced her to eat so they could study her reactions. I was so frustrated at the way they were treating her. Finally Dr. Menzesse took charge of her situation and ordered an MRI. The results confirmed an inoperable brain tumor."
"I didn't like that first hospital, but Dr. Menzesse was great", said Dani.
She then started radiation treatments every day for six weeks and for six weeks daily, they would travel from Burlington, IA to Iowa City, IA.
For five years, they traveled to the University Hospitals regularly for check-ups and each time her tests would come back that she was doing fine. But when she was seven, they went for a routine check-up and this time, things were not fine.
They found 5 more tumors in the cerebellum, down the neck. The biopsy showed they were astrocytoma tumors. The doctors removed one, but had to leave the rest because they were inoperable. "The doctors told us there could be a chance that there would be a recurrence and tumors could show up on the spine," Kim said. What a blow to the family, but Dani kept her spirits up.
On Christmas Eve, 1994, Dani began having terrible headaches. They took her to the local hospital where she stayed for three days, but she began having seizures. She was rushed to the University Hospitals and they found that the original tumor was hemorrhaging.
Before surgery, the doctors told Kim "that there might be a chance Dani would never speak again".
But it was needed, and the family spent a tense time waiting for Dani to come out from surgery.
When the doctor came to get the family, Kim walked in the room not knowing what to expect. But she heard the most precious words she had ever heard. "Hi Mom", said Dani with a big smile.
Through the next 8 1/2 years, Dani did well in school, graduating in May, 2003 with honors. Dani is a Southeastern Community College BlackHawk basketball fan and attends many of their games. She's very social and enjoys people and having fun.
In September 2003, Dani began having neck pains and was again taken to the University Hospitals where she was given morphine to help endure the pain while they performed an MRI. They found that Dani's cancer had spread down through her spinal column.
She began seeing a pediatric oncologist, Dr. Susan O'diorisis who started her on a chemotherapy program with 4 days of oral chemo, wait 2 weeks and then have a chemo injection, 2 weeks later another chemo injection and then the program begins again. It made her very ill and it bothered her joints to the point she could hardly walk. Kim said, "Dani was so brave and just kept doing what she needed to do". Dani was losing weight, from 134 lbs down to 92 lbs, so they stopped the chemo.
A lump then appeared behind her right ear. A needle biopsy was taken to find another tumor. This tumor was a secondary tumor, caused by the radiation she had when she was two years old. This was removed but "Dynamite Dani" wouldn't take pain pills". She endured what needed to be endured and kept on going.
Kim said, "She is a very brave, tough young women". And Mom is so right.
In fact Kim had knee surgery and Dani told her mom to toughen up and not be a wimp!!
When Dani was in the hospital in October of 2003, Joyce, a social worker at the University Hospitals, helped Kim with paperwork and suggested that she fill out papers so they might receive Medicaid. Kim did this and now Medicaid is helping with the hospital bills.
Kim called Joyce "a Godsend". She also told her about a foundation called Sunshine Foundation that grants wishes to certain cancer patients.
Dani has always wanted to go back to New York City, NY to see where she was born. Kim filled out the papers and that wish was granted.
Dani's family, stepdad Bob Miller, mother, Kim Miller, brother, Klay and sister, Ali and Dani left on June 22 from Moline to fly to New York City, NY to spend 4 days in the "Big Apple".
They stayed at the Plaza Hotel that overlooks Central Park and, "What a beautiful hotel with chandeliers and flowers and we stayed on the 33rd floor," Dani said, with a big smile and brown eyes that sparkled.
While there, Kim and Dani unexpectedly saw former Mayor Guiliani standing on the sidewalk with his body guard. Kim asked the body guard if they could have a picture with Mayor Guiliani, and immediately the former mayor came forward to shake hands and pose with Dani.
What a thrill for both. Later on they saw Kareem Abdul Jabar at a drugstore. Dani said, "he was so tall". They went on the NBC tour, seeing many of the great sights in New York City. Dani even got to sit at the desk of Tom Brokaw!
Early one morning Kim and Dani went down to stand outside of the NBC studio to watch the "Today" show with Matt Lauer and Katie Kuric.
Little did they know that they would be able to meet them, get their autographs and pose with them for pictures. Dani thinks "Matt is so handsome and Katie is such a nice lady". Both stars made Dani and Kim feel so comfortable.
Dani returned home and was to begin chemo again on July 22 but they want to talk with the doctors before they begin. Dani has gained ground and Kim doesn't want her to lose what she has gained.
Her grandparents are Betty and Jim White and the late Don and Margery Keever.
Dani is so grateful to her grandparents, relatives and friends for the prayers and concerns and for everything everyone has done for her and her family.
This young lady is truly a remarkable person and she is certainly dynamite!
Matt Lauer signing Dani's "Burlington, IA" sign that she held up during the show.
Kim, Dani, and Katie Kuric while visiting the "Today" show.
Dani poses with former New York Mayor, Rudolph W. Guiliana as she visits New York City.
Katie Kuric from the TODAY SHOW told Dani Sartorius "to pose".