When you bring your beautiful newborn home from the hospital, you imagine nothing but wonderful things for her. You dream of the amazing young woman your daughter will be, the good she’ll do, and the fun she will have. You never imagine that she will spend her first Christmas in the hospital, recovering from surgery, and being treated for stage II cancer. This is the nightmare Gary Chase and Tessa Mosser-Chase faced this year with their beautiful baby, Lyla.
When Lyla was born on April 19th 2011, she had a small, abnormal curvature of her tail bone. Doctors said she would most likely grow out of it. She didn't. As time passed the curve turned to swelling, and later painful constipation. After many doctor visits, in which Tessa and Gary were told to give her fruit juice, more fruit juice, assorted baby food (fruits & vegetables), and finally a stool softener/laxative, they sought a second opinion. By this time the swelling and bruising so alarmed the pediatrician they saw, he notified the hospital and they were on their way.
Tessa and Gary were sent home to pack, for what they were told would be at least weekend stay, and that Lyla would be getting an MRI right away. Tessa posted a beautiful picture of Lyla on facebook, and asked for the prayers and positive thoughts of all who knew them, as she knew, they were in for a rough journey.
She had no idea how rough it would be. They were admitted on the spot to Rady’s Childrens Hospital. After a CT scan and MRI it was there they were diagnosed. She didn't need prune juice, she wasn't constipated, she had a malignant, softball sized, yolk sac tumor that consumed her entire pelvic region and was rapidly increasing in size. The tumor was beginning to grow into her abdomen and dangerously up against her spine. Lyla was scheduled immediately for surgery.
Waiting. That’s what they did. Waiting for the MRI with a baby who is in pain, and can’t be fed for hours prior, and has been poked too many times to count trying to find a vein to administer anesthesia. Waiting, only to hear that they got as much of the tumor as they could and that it is malignant. Cancer. Waiting as they do brain scans, and bone scans, because blood tests show that the cancer my be else where in her tiny body. Waiting, for her breathing to be strong enough so she can be off the ventilator, and you can once again be in the same room with your baby, and hold her, and nurse her, and love her.
After a trying 30 day stay at the hospital Lyla is now undergoing chemotherapy to fight the cancer. The surgeon was able to remove most of the tumor but, it was considerably large in size. The tumor had attached to other areas inside her pelvic region, mainly her colon and therefor he was unable to remove it entirely.
Lyla is amazing. She is always smiling, happy, entertaining everyone around her with her comical personality, coos, and giggles. Chemo will take its toll on her. She will most likely loose the soft fuzz on her sweet smelling head, her expressive brows, and her long beautiful lashes. She will feel sick, sad and lethargic. Her parents will feel sick and sad, that they cannot change things for their baby. But, the odds are good for Lyla. The recovery rate for her is high, and her family is staying positive, and strong as they deal with something NO ONE should ever have to deal with.
Tessa and Gary are not angry at the Doctors who overlooked the seriousness of Lyla’s symptoms. They say they don’t have room in their hearts for anger. They are focusing their energy on love, on hope, on living for the moment. Tessa and Gary are extremely appreciative of your donations to help with medical expenses, and all the other cost that occur when taking care of a baby with cancer. Please click on the big yellow "give" box at the top right of the page to help! I realize times are tight, but every little bit helps. Please share this link on Facebook, using the "promote on Facebook" link on the top left of the screen and via email with anyone you know who would like to help make a difference in this family's life. If you would like to help in another way, please consider a donation to Rady Childrens Hospital at www.helpsdkids.org, Ronald McDonald House Charities at www.rmhc.org.