By Alley Neary
Newsprint
Mercy HS
1st Place
Division 4, News Writing
Human Interest Feature
The two inch scar on senior Makena Duval’s arm serves as a constant reminder of her past. At age 8, Duval was diagnosed with a high grade sarcoma. Nine years ago, she faced the harsh reality of multiple surgeries and treatments to rid her body of the cancerous mass. Her childhood was a stark contrast to that of her friends.
Each year, 15,700 kids will hear the words ‘you have cancer,’ as stated by CureSearch For Children’s Cancer.
Duval’s cancer resided in her left bicep. High grade sarcomas, such as hers, are generally distinguished by a “painless lump or swelling in soft tissues of the body,” according to the National Cancer Institute. Although sarcomas are generally hereditary, Duval has no family history of cancer. The mass in Duval’s arm was first misdiagnosed as Cat-scratch Fever. Duval was sent home with nothing more than antibiotics and instructions to rest.
Skeptical of the diagnosis, Duval’s parents went for a second opinion. Duval was taken to a general surgeon at Providence Park Hospital, where she was diagnosed with cancer. Due to the high level of her cancer, it was crucial to remove the entire mass to reduce the chances of regrowth.
“A tumor specialist at Beaumont Hospital lengthened my scar to make sure there was no more growth,” said Duval.
Duval’s, tumor originated near her armpit, where lymph nodes reside. Cancerous cells can travel through the bloodstream in lymph nodes, creating a significantly higher chance of fatality in any patient.
Duval did not go through radiation, chemotherapy or hair loss. However, Duval’s health was heavily impacted by her cancer as she went through dozens of scans and oncology visits.
Parents Brian and Jenny Duval took whatever precautions they could to improve their daughter’s life. They placed Duval on a raw, sugar free diet along with many other food restrictions. Even today, a cold or large bruise warrants her to immediately report to her parents.
Dr. Jeffrey Taub, a pediatric oncologist at the Detroit Medical Center, sees kids in situations similar to Duval nearly every day. Thirty years ago, Dr. Taub was diagnosed with pediatric cancer himself.
According to CureSearch For Children’s Cancer, 43 children are diagnosed with cancer and more than 40,000 children undergo treatment for cancer every year. Dr. Taub now strives to help children, like himself, beat the disease.
“A strong focus is now placed on how treatments can affect the quality of life for patients and their families,” said Dr. Taub. Programs, sleepover camps, clubs and resuming normal activities help improve patient spirit.
While in the hospital, Duval participated in Kids Kicking Cancer, a program geared towards helping children overcome the pain of cancer. Through martial arts and spiritual training, patients are taught stretching, breathing exercises, meditation, and many other concepts created to make recovery easier. Kids Kicking Cancer states that “the overall goal of this program is to help reduce a child’s anxiety, pain and discomfort, and provide a way to make patients feel heroic.”
Cancer has forever left a mark on the lives of Duval, who is now in her seventh year of remission.
From the trials and challenges of childhood cancer, Duval has grown stronger.
“I am thankful to be alive and I am constantly thankful for everything in my life,” said Duval. “Cancer has made me into the strong person I am today.”