At the vibrant and young age of 20 months old, Reagan was diagnosed with Clear Cell Sarcoma of the Kidney.
While on Spring Break vacation at Walt Disney World, Reagan's dad noticed her left side protruding. He immediately called the family pediatrician and an appointment was made upon the return of the family's vacation. It was at that appointment that Dr. Joe Kappes would refer Reagan to the best surgeon in Augusta, Dr. Walter Pipkin at Children's Hospital of Georgia (CHOG) who would confirm his suspicions of a Wilms Tumor.
The very next day, Reagan was seen by Dr. Pipkin who did an ultrasound and CT scan where he confirmed the possible Wilms Tumor. Reagan was admitted that afternoon for surgery the next day. This surgery was for the removal of her left kidney which the tumor was attached to and 8 surrounding lymph nodes.
While Reagan recovered, her tumor was sent to the Children's Oncology Group (COG) where Dr. Elizabeth Perlman at Northwestern University reviewed her case and diagnosed Reagan with Stage 2 Clear Cell Sarcoma.
Immediately after receiving the final report from Dr. Perlman, Reagan was seen by her pediatric oncologist Dr. McDonough at CHOG. Dr. McDonough referred Reagan to the Winship Cancer Institute at Emory Medical University where she would be treated by Dr. Natia
Esiashvili for her 6 treatments of radiation. While at Emory, Reagan also began her chemotherapy treatments under the care of Dr. Kelly Goldsmith and staff at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorder Center at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA).
Reagan has done very well thus far while in treatment. Although frequently being hospitalized for the normal neutropenic fevers and having to postpone treatments due to low ANC counts, she remains so happy and playful. She is a resilient fighter who shows her entire family (which is quite large and extremely knitted together) what it looks like to live life not by your circumstances, but by the opportunities and blessings God has provided us with.
#victoriousreagan
#victoryforreagan
#teamreagan
We want to thank you for reading Reagan's story and for supporting her and the more than 300,000 kids worldwide who will be diagnosed with cancer this year. By sharing the gifts of your time, talent and money with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, you're supporting research to give all kids with cancer a better chance for a cure.
