Wilms' Tumor also called Nephroblastoma

Just the 3 of us on a normal regular busy day with mom and dad.  We are an active family that makes every day count.

We go places and do many things with family and friends.

I am the oldest and then Nova and then Milo.

One day after having painful headaches for months and upset tummies for months and I also had been throwing up for a while, mommy took me to the doctor.  The Doctor first said I had an infection then she said I had food allergies to gluten and dairy and processed foods. That diagnosis didn't last long because soon I was having a lot of blood in my urine but no pain at all.  Finally I had to have a dreaded blood test and after a physical exam on my tummy along with an MRI the Doctors told my mommy what they were pretty sure was a Wilms Tumor in my left kidney.

Child Life Specialist Brianna was with me during some really hard moments. 

 On December 7, 2020 I had my left kidney removed and there was a Wilm's Tumor inside the kidney just like they figured.

It was pretty big but fully intact.  I had a port put in so that the chemo can be given to me that way.  I had to have 6 months of treatment.  I was scared but I knew it was going to save me. 

After about 3 chemo treatments my hair began to fall out. 

I had clinic every Monday and in clinic I would have to be accessed and my port would be flushed and then I would get my chemo medicines. It was tough in the beginning but the nurses all made me feel safe and calm. I got this! 

My hair is totally gone and so are my eye brows and lashes.

After 6 chemo treatments the 6 spots on my lungs showed no change so we all agreed to surgically remove them. Pathology report showed no cancer in those spots. That was a tough surgery. Also, I have to take an antibiotic and anti-nausea medicine plus pain relievers and sometimes a sleep gummy because I would get a little bit anxious when I would think too much.

When my scans showed 6 spots on my lungs I had a surgery to remove them. I had two tubes coming out of each side of my ribs and it was so painful. I couldn't move much for a few days but eventually I healed and pathology reported no cancer on the spots that were removed. The anxiety I had during this time was a lot and I was able to talk to a really nice Dr. that helped me get through those rough mental attacks.  It was not good to sit and think and think.  Sundays were my worst thinking days. 

Chemotherapy was on Mondays and sometimes I would have to go to the hospital because the chemo is poison and it would make me very sick.  I lost a lot of weight and all of my hair and I would have bone pain and mouth sores so bad I wasn't able to eat.  Dr. Morimoto suggested a feeding tube and I didn't want that so I really did my best and I didn't have to get that.

I had a total of 24 chemotherapy treatments. 

June 28, 2021 was my last day of chemotherapy. Even though I was not considered officially cancer free, or NED (no evidence of disease), I chose to ring the bell.

I was soooooo sooo super excited!!  

There is a sweet video on "Avahs Favs" page.

On November 12, 2021 We got the final MRI and CT scan results that we prayed so hard for!  I have no cancer cells in my healthy kidney and no cancer cells in my lungs and no cancer cells in my lymph nodes. I am officially CANCER FREE!

You all really helped me stay so positive. 

At Curefest I met so many special forever friends.  There are so many foundations and organizations plus families and advocates that all join together to have the best weekend ever! 

 At Curefest I speak and share about my fight and my mission to always find the good and to make a difference in my childhood cancer community.

Go to the next page of my website and watch the videos of the best weekend ever!!!!!

CUREFEST 2021 changed my life with cancer.