The 23rd of December 2016, seemed like any other ordinary day. Going shopping for the holiday, wrapping up gifts, and doing the last-minute plans for Christmas Day. My little son Zitel seemed a bit tired and had complained of sharp pain in the top right-hand part of his chest for the last 7 months. This unpeculiar pain usually lasted for barely two minutes, occurring at irregular intervals which had led to numerous visits to the local GP and A&E. The doctors could not diagnose anything as he was never in pain when we eventually got to the clinic or hospital.

On this faithful day, Zitel had complained about this pain consistently and was not his usual self. I monitored him all day but by the evening he had a slight fever so I gave him a bath, fed him his dinner, and administered some Capol before putting him to sleep. I left him with my mum to attend a friend’s charity event the night and when she called me at about 12 midnight, stating that Zitel was in tears and he could not sleep. I hurriedly drove back home, upon seeing him I knew something was wrong. I immediately called the paramedics who came and did all the necessary checks but they could not figure out what the problem was. One of the paramedics soon suggested to check his blood pressure which was alarming and scary; 143 – for a child aged 5 years old?

Then our journey began…..

Swiftly we were taken into the ambulance and rushed to Barnet Hospital for further checks. It all seemed so unreal as I had so much to finish up before Christmas Day. With numerous scans and tests carried out at the hospital on the 24th of December 2016, I was called to a room by a team of doctors explaining that I had to be transferred to Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) immediately as they had found a growth in his abdominal region and feared I would be admitted to the oncology department. This came as a shock but hey there I was with my little warrior in the ambulance on our way to GOSH. Upon arrival, Zitel had a room which was already labeled and they immediately began tests and scans. He had a biopsy and numerous tests done yet again. On the 3rd of January 2017, Zitel was diagnosed with Cancer Neuroblastoma and was scheduled to commence Chemotherapy immediately on the 12th of January.

It all seemed so unreal but this was now our reality and a daunting way to start the new year. The consultant had prepared a care plan which was a treatment that would last for 18 months. I read and studied every document I was given, and researched the internet but I quickly soon retraced and held onto the promises of God and His Words of Healing. We prayed, we fasted, we praised and we worshipped the One Who had the final say. Zitel reclined to prayers and he finished his 80-day cycle of high-dose chemotherapy without much complications which marvelled both his consultants and medical team.

Post Zitel’s chemotherapy he had another biopsy done and a stem cell transplant. To determine the next treatment protocol as his case was actually a rare type. The results came out and again not very good. The chemotherapy was meant to shrink the size of the tumor to prepare him for surgery but instead, the chemotherapy had no effect on the size which concerned the consultants. But God was working it out. The Surgeon at GOSH had concerns about the size and location and had requested for a cardiothoracic surgeon to assist with the surgery which she feared was a 50/50 chance but God had other plans for His son.

His initial surgery date was scheduled for the 18th of April but was moved three times. The final date given for the 12th of June was canceled due to the cardiothoracic surgeon being ill and being away indefinitely. As GOSH did not have an immediate replacement, they had to go out to the wider NHS for assistance, and Zitel’s case was then referred to Birmingham Children and Women’s Hospital (BCWH). Their proposed approach for the surgery was very different from GOSH’s and less risky (Thank God for the referral). We had our initial consultations and on the 14th of August Zitel was admitted to BCWH where he had his big operation on the 16th of August.

After 13 hours of surgery, the tumour was successfully taken out with no complications but he sadly lost a kidney. My little boy was signed off cancer-free weeks later. Remembering our journey and meeting all the wonderful children who are going through and have gone through this has been a big part of our lives. Zitel’s wish is to make an impact in the lives of children and help parents/families through these times. Hence the “Young Lives Trust” was birthed!