Three-year-old in need of funds with stage three cancer
"We were devastated as the size of the fight was revealed in an instant."
Three-year-old “warrior princess” Skylar Meyer, who was diagnosed with neuroblastoma cancer last year, needs assistance in raising funds for medical costs and other expenses. The little girl went for several operations and treatment for seven months and was clear for remission and cancer-free February this year. The Meyer family moved to Equestria in Pretoria East at the start of the year.
Her ordeal started on 27 June 2019 when her parents took her into Margate hospital to get her belly button checked out due to it changing colour. After about five hours of scans and blood tests, they discovered a mass in her abdomen. ALSO READ: Woman battling incurable disease pens book detailing her struggle She was transferred to Ethekwini hospital and heart centre in Durban for specialist medical attention, and she was admitted in the paediatric intensive care unit a day later.
The next morning their world fell apart as they were informed that Skylar has a tumour located inside her kidney, basically confirming she has cancer. She was then sent for scan after scan, and tests after tests, to determine what kind of tumour it was. A biopsy, bone marrow and Iobenguane test confirmed that it was stage 2 neuroblastoma cancer where the tumour was actually located outside her kidney and that it was a more aggressive kind of cancer, which will be more difficult to treat.
They decided to do surgery on the tumour on 13 July to try remove it before chemotherapy would start. However, due to the size of the tumour and because it was too close to her main artery, they had to cancel the procedure and close up to do chemotherapy first to try shrink the tumour as the risk was just too high. “We were devastated as the size of the fight was revealed in an instant,” said mother Chantal. In October 2019 they did another scan to see if the tumour has shrunk. It was found that the tumour had shrunk to a quarter of its original size and they removed it. 
“She went through two more sessions of chemo after the surgery to kill anything that might have been left. Then she went for the dreaded Iobenguane scan to see if the cancer was gone.
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“She was declared being in remission in February 2020. We thought the big fight was won and it was all over. “She can do everything a normal three-year-old does. She was so happy to have beaten cancer,” she said.
On the 12 May, they received the devastating news that Skylar’s cancer was back. Now with stage 3 neuroblastoma cancer. Three days later, she went into theatre where they did a biopsy and bone marrow test.
They, however, could not remove the tumour as it had grown around blood vessels, and it was not safe to remove it.
“The tumour is the size of a tennis ball. A massive battle again in front of us, but we as a family will stand by Skylar as she beats this again.”
Three months later Skylar had her surgery and was out of theatre and stable.
“The operation went very well. They were able to remove the tumour. It was a little tricky as it was hidden behind her liver. The doctors and surgeons are happy how Skylar handled it.
“She is on a ventilator as it was a very big operation and she needed time to heal. Such a small body going through so much. Six surgeries and 10 chemo sessions all in one year. She is such an amazing warrior.”
Skylar had her last chemo session at the end of September. “Unfortunately, for the last day or so she was not feeling well and had to be taken to the hospital again to help her raise her white blood levels.
“Doctors were afraid that she could pick up an infection. It would be difficult as she would be suspected of having Covid-19 first if she had to come in with a fever of any kind.”
“Financially it is very difficult thus far. I had to stop working to take care of Skylar. In a minute we went from a two-income family to a one-income family, with a lot more expenses this time around.”
Skylar still has to go for radiation treatment, which she has never experienced before. The family took to Backabuddy to raise funds for her medical expenses, special diets and travelling costs.
They hope and pray to raise R50 000 for her next radiation therapy which will start soon. At this stage, they have raised R11 207.
For anyone who wishes to play a role in Skylar’s road to recovery, make a donation by following this link: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/champion/project/skylar
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