Why was 2-year-old Zoya suddenly so sick? She was throwing up and not herself. Her parents took her to their local ER multiple times. Doctors weren’t sure if she had the flu, an ear infection, severe dehydration, or something else. But when she had a seizure in the waiting room, they knew something was very wrong. Doctors performed a CT scan. The results weren’t good, so an ambulance rushed her to Boston Children’s Hospital.
A scary diagnosis
Once here, Zoya was intubated in the ICU, and doctors revealed that she had a large, aggressive brain tumor. More tumors had already spread to other parts of her brain and to her spine. For kids her age, the survival rate is low. Her brain tumor needed to be removed quickly, so doctors could begin chemotherapy and start radiation on her spinal tumors before they did more damage. Boston Children’s specialized care offered her the best chance. Here, kids with even the rarest and most challenging diseases can get answers.
Zoya battles on
With her brain tumor out, Zoya was able to leave the ICU. Still, she had a long road ahead. She needed time to heal in the hospital before starting chemotherapy and radiation. Two weeks after her surgery, another MRI showed shocking results: Zoya’s brain tumor had already grown back to half its original size.
Over the next few months, Zoya underwent chemotherapy, radiation and stem cell transplants at Boston Children’s. She was in the hospital for seven months. The treatments shrunk her tumors and saved her life. But, there were serious side effects, like inflammation in her spinal cord that caused Zoya to need a wheelchair.
Hope on the horizon
The good news: Zoya’s latest MRI showed no tumors. Doctors will keep monitoring her health as she grows. The goal is to keep Zoya healthy and tumor-free until she is older and stronger, and fit for more aggressive treatments if she needs them. Now 4, Zoya inspires her parents and care team with her sassy, curious personality—and her determination. She’s working on strength and movement with weekly physical therapy sessions.
