Little_Warrior_Anniversary_Book

Little Warrior | 110
111 | Little Warrior
ZOË
Age 2 | Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumor.
Little Warrior Zoë is wo years old and battling a unique brain tumor. Her fight
started when she was just 15 months old and her doctors spoke one word - cancer!
At the time her family lived in Honolulu, Hawaii where her father was stationed
with the US Army. Because Zoë was/is so young and her case so unique, her family
requested to be moved closer to family and to be seen at a specialty children’s
hospital - in the military this is called “compassion reassignment.” This was criticaly
for them, as Zoë’s mom was well into her third pregnancy and expecting twin boys!
“Not only was compassionate reassignment a blessing, so was the unit my husband
was attached to. They have been more than understanding and willing to help
us out in ways I didn’t even know were possibilities for us. Zoë’s father is able to
be with her at the hospital while I am home with our other children. Having the
flexibility and opportunity to be there for your sick child is a must, and I feel a
huge part of this being available to us is due to Zoë’s father serving in the United
States Army” shares Zoë’s mom.
With their arrival at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital in Tennessee, Zoë’s doctors
literally worked around the clock on her very unique case. Her diagnosis has
changed at least three times since September 2015. In October her tumor was
diagnosed as a brain tumor: “ATRT” Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumor.
Zoë underwent six rounds of chemotherapy where she was admitted to the
hospital, and each round lasted two to three weeks. Zoë was also seen at St. Louis
Children’s Hospital, were she underwent 26 radiation treatments called Proton
Therapy. Even though Zoë will still be recovering and has check ups every three
months for the first year, she has been officially declared in remission.
“Zoë is a beautiful ray of sunshine in this dark storm and when we hear the words
“‘cancer free’ the skies will clear and a perfect rainbow will appear showing us the
promise for a better tomorrow,” shares Zoë’s mom. “Though Zoë be but little, she
is fierce!“
Follow Zoë’s journey on Facebook at facebook.com/fightingforzoe