Neuroblastoma diagnosed toddler completes chemotherapy
"From the bottom of our hearts, we just want to thank everyone who has been on this journey with us..."
A neuroblastoma cancer toddler patient completed his chemotherapy with a bell-ringing ceremony at the Steve Biko Academic Hospital on Tuesday.
Teagan van Wyk proudly rang the bell to symbolise the completion of his therapy alongside eight other patients battling other forms of childhood cancers.
“Ringing the bell was such a proud moment for all of the children, it was also such a huge milestone,” the now three-year-old’s mother Maggie van Wyk said.
She explained that the bell-ringing symbolised the end of the biggest part of the children’s treatment.
“It is such a blessing to be able to get to this point and we are truly grateful,” she said.
Van Wyk added that her son was doing very well since his last check-up.
“The doctors are still happy with his progress,” she said.
The toddler was not expected to start maintenance treatment for the next six months.
“He will be taking medication twice a day for 14 days, then 14 days off, and so forth,” van Wyk explained.
She further extended her gratitude to all the staff and doctors who played a role in her son’s road to where he is.
“From the bottom of our hearts, we just want to thank everyone who has been on this journey with us, especially Professor Reynders, doctors Omar, Buccler and Stevens along with all the medical staff.”
The three-year-old started chemotherapy in November last year after he was diagnosed in October.
By March the tumour had shrunk by half and Teagan was able to undergo an 11-hour long surgery in April to remove it.
The toddler celebrated his third birthday earlier this month.
According to Mayoclinic.org, neuroblastoma develops from immature nerve cells in several areas of the body, especially in and around the adrenal glands, which have similar origins to nerve cells and sit atop the kidneys.
It can also develop in other areas of the abdomen, the chest, neck and near the spine, where groups of nerve cells exist.
Symptoms are stomach pain, changes in bowel movement, wheezing, chest pain, lumps of tissue under the skin, back pain, weight loss and dark circles like bruises under the eyes.
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