The Marofke family has shared another difficult update regarding their daughter Greta’s cancer treatment in the U.S.
“This is not the update we were hoping to share. Greta’s tumours in her lungs have grown and multiplied in number,” the family shared through a post on the Greta’s Guardians Facebook page Thursday.
“The chemo she has been on is not working. We are so heartbroken.”
The three-year-old girl has been undergoing chemotherapy treatment for the past several weeks after “spots” believed to be cancerous were discovered on her lungs earlier this year.
READ MORE: Young Calgary cancer patient recovering from liver transplant needs ‘a miracle’
The toddler was diagnosed with cancer just before her second birthday.
The family was told little Greta had hepatablastoma, a rare form of pediatric liver cancer. Although the cancer was initially put into remission, the disease returned.
WATCH: After months of hospital beds and painful procedures, three-year-old Greta Marofke had the rare opportunity to just be a kid this week, thanks to a special day camp organized by the Calgary-based charity, Kids Cancer Care. Heather Yourex-West explains.
Greta’s parents were told their little girl would need a liver transplant in order to have any chance at surviving the cancer, but after reviewing the girl’s case, transplant teams in both Alberta and Ontario refused to do the surgery.
Undeterred, Greta’s mother Lindsey reached out to a cancer specialist in the U.S. this spring. She had transplant surgery at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. She has been undergoing chemotherapy in Cincinnati since then.
READ MORE: Young Alberta cancer patient dances in video posted 2 weeks after liver transplant
The family has been providing regular updates on Greta’s treatment and progress through the Facebook page.
“We are not giving up on our girl but this is a really tough spot to be in. We are doing our best to enjoy all the moments with our family. Our team is also regrouping to see what we might be able to come up with.
“Greta continues to feel well and is full of energy and spunk! Thank you everyone for your continued support.”
WATCH: The Calgary Gymnastics Centre is hosting an open house next week, the cost of admission is a donation to help pay medical costs for 3-year-old Greta, who is currently fighting cancer in the U.S.
Because her transplant was done outside of Canada, the surgery and after-care are not being covered by Alberta Health.
According to Stanford Children’s health, hepatablastoma is a very rare cancerous tumour that starts in the liver. The cancer primarily affects children from infancy to about three years of age. Symptoms include:
A large abdominal mass, or swollen abdomen
Weight loss, decreased appetite
Early puberty in boys
Abdominal pain
Nausea and vomiting
Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin)
Fever
Itching skin
Enlarged veins on the belly that can be seen through the skin
With files from Heather Yourex-West and Erika Tucker
Comments