A little girl with Down syndrome beat a rare kind of blood cancer just in time to go home for Christmas.
23-month-old Hope Kedziorski was diagnosed with myelodysplasia in October of 2020. Myelodysplastic cancers are a group of cancers that occur when immature blood cells in the bone marrow do not mature or become healthy blood cells. For little Hope, it was a long battle to good health again; the tiny toddler underwent 10 surgeries, 19 blood transfusions, rounds of chemotherapy, and even fought sepsis.
“Last Christmas was tainted because we knew it wasn’t long until she was going to start treatment,” her mom, Kirsty Wilkie, told Metro. “We were heavy-hearted, apprehensive, and scared in case we were going to lose our little girl to cancer or the side effects of chemotherapy. But despite being poorly, Hope took it in her stride and she was still happy all of the time.”
READ: Tiny preemie born over 100 days early is home for Christmas
Understandably, seeing Hope go through so much was hard for the entire family; the diagnosis began with nothing more than a small rash. It was after a blood test and then a bone marrow biopsy that doctors realized Hope had cancer. “Tomasz and I were heartbroken and worried sick,” Wilkie said. Because of Hope’s young age, they had to wait to begin treatment, too, which only made the situation even more difficult.
“The side effects of chemotherapy can be life-threatening and for babies so young this risk is even higher which is why we had to wait until April,” she explained. “We spent every day by her side in the hospital, and we went home for a week here and there. The scariest moment was when she had sepsis as her oxygen levels dramatically dropped. The whole summer was terrifying, but Hope continued to amaze us.”
And there was no shortage of difficult experiences for Hope. “She had a total of six bone marrow biopsies, three central lines fitted and removed, and several blood and platelet transfusions, yet she would still get up every day with a smile on her face and play,” Wilkie recalled. “Our end goal was to ring that bell as we knew the nightmare would finally be over. She is developing really well and even learnt how to walk on the ward.”
What helped Hope survive were treatments derived from blood donations, which Wilkie encourages everyone to do now. “It is so important for children and adults who are having chemotherapy as it wipes out all of their healthy blood cells,” she said. “I have donated blood since Hope’s diagnosis and I hope others do too.”
And now, over a year after receiving the terrible diagnosis, Hope has been able to ring the bell indicating she is cancer-free and will be going home for Christmas. “This Christmas is going to be extra special,” Wilkie said. “Hope has been amazing and anyone that has met her is in awe of her. We are so proud of her.”
“Like” Live Action News on Facebook for more pro-life news and commentary!
