This Was My Cancer

Everyone has vacation memories. A trip to South Dakota is one that Paul, Tiffany and daughter Angelika will not soon forget. While visiting family, Angelika became ill, complaining of stomach pains and a slight cough. It was at the local emergency room that doctors discovered Angelika had two enormous masses in her stomach and fluid in her left lung. Angelika was immediately given oxygen and life-flighted to a larger hospital in Rochester, Minnesota.

The tests performed during their family vacation would change their lives forever. A biopsy of the masses confirmed Angelika had cancer – Burkitt's lymphoma, to be exact. This type of cancer is characterized by a rapid growth rate, and localized tumors can eventually spread to the entire body. Fortunately, the disease had not yet spread to her bones or bone marrow. Remarkably, the tumors had started growing in Angelika's stomach less than 10 days earlier.

The doctors performed surgery on Angelika installing a Hickman, an "instant" IV through the chest directly into the bloodstream for administering medications and IV fluids and drawing blood without continual pricking. The doctors placed a tube through her chest to pump out the excess fluid that collected as a result of the tumors.

Angelika was finally able to travel back home to North Carolina to continue her treatments at Duke Children's Hospital & Health Center. After six months of intensive chemotherapy, long days at Duke's Jim Valvano Day Hospital and some difficult and uncertain times, Angelika's cancer is in remission. She made friends with the nurses and other patients at the hospital, making gifts for them during her treatments.

Angelika shares her smile with everyone, never holding back. She inspires everyone she meets with her positive outlook and warm spirit. Angelika, now 13, is attending school regularly. Her talents have emerged as boundless as her spirit. She wrote and illustrated a book about her experience with cancer, designed a Duke Children's holiday card, crafted jewelry for auctions and is active in tennis, cheerleading and track. She is adored by her brother Axel and sister Astrid, who have supported her through every step of the healing process.

Angelika's story, like those of so many of our young patients, is one of triumph, courage and unrelenting hope. We are so proud of our smiling angel and her generosity in helping others.