Heaven is a happier place!
^Angel^ Sicily Evelyn Zeka has arrived.
April 15, 2005 - March 21, 2010
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWdHq5UDXbo&feature=related (
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWdHq5UDXbo&feature=related)
Sicily Evelyn Zeka, our vibrant, precious 4-year-old daughter was diagnosed with bi-lateral Wilm's tumor, cancer of both kidneys, on Aug. 22, 2008, at the age of three.
This all began when I took Sicily to a new pediatrician for a preschool physical in July 2008, after just moving to Broken Arrow, OK from Wellington, KS. The doctor found a mass on Sicily's right side as she performed a routine abdominal exam. It concerned her enough to send us for an x-ray and blood work, both of which were inconclusive. It was decided to treat Sicily for just being full of "poop." We went back again in two weeks but the doctor thought the mass was shrinking or moving and still assumed it to be a bowel situation. She decided to schedule Sicily for an appointment with a GI doctor, but wanted to do a barium enema first. I asked for an ultrasound, but was told the enema was the next step (the ultrasound would have helped to diagnose the actual situation). The tech who performed the enema flat out said this was nothing to do with Sicily's bowels. After six weeks of our doctor not being very pro-active, we were finally scheduled a CT scan...which delivered the worst and most unbearable news I thought my ears could ever hear. Our daughter has cancer of the kidneys. Not just one kidney, but both. Bi-lateral Wilm's tumor. We decided to seek treatment in Oklahoma City with a doctor who spent fourteen years at St. Jude's in solid tumors. Sicily is also being cared for by a wonderful team of doctors here in the Tulsa area so we can stay close to home whenever possible. *Update March 2009 - Found a new pediatrician.
Sicily underwent ten weeks of pre-operative chemo to try and shrink the tumors before surgery. She had surgery on November 19, 2008 to remove both tumors. The surgeons removed 1/2 of the right kidney and 1/3 of the left kidney. Tests performed on the tumors showed her right kidney contained diffuse anaplasia (unfavorable histology) which indicated it should be removed as soon as possible. On November 30th, they removed her entire remaining right kidney as well as removed part of her small bowel due to an interseseption and some of her peritoneum that had covered the pylorus valve in her stomach, which were complications her little body did to itself trying to recover from the first surgery. She spent a total of twenty-two consecutive days in the hospital on the surgery recovery floor and the PICU. The doctors are fairly confident she can function near normal with 2/3 of the left kidney; at least until her teenage years, when her body begins to possibly grow rapidly. Because of the diffuse anaplasia, Sicily underwent 11 radiation treatments and will be on a 6-months protocol of chemotherapy. Every third week of chemo will require a 3-to-5 day hospital stay to receive treatment. She has done remarkably well with her chemo and we hope this will continue!
Sicily has completed her chemo treatment on Regimen i on June 6th. First OT (off treatment) scans scheduled for Tuesday, July 7th. Pray for NED (No Evidence of Disease)!
First OT scans in July produced a NED!!!
Next scans - Friday, October 9, 2009
Recurrance to right kidney bed on 10/12/09.
On October 28, 2009, Sicily had her fourth surgery and the new tumor growth was removed. She is not cancer free as a small amount was left on the vena cava as it was not possible to surgically remove it. Pathology came back anaplastic Wilm's, again. We will soon be making plans for her treatment and continue to ask for prayers for her and her family!
Feb. 25, 2010 Sicily's cancer has metastisized to liver, lungs and intestines.
March 21, 2010 Sicily passed away in her mommy's arms.
Please help us support pediatric cancer research by making a donation to the Pablove Foundation www.pablove.org (
http://www.pablove.org) Under special notes write, "In Honor of Sicily Zeka." Thank you!
