Health

Girl, 2, rings bell after beating ovarian cancer after doctors dismissed her bloated belly as 'gas'


A two-year-old girl who was diagnosed with a rare form of ovarian cancer is now cancer-free.

McKenna ‘Kenni’ Shea Xydias, from Senoia, Georgia, began developing high fevers and a swollen belly in late January and early February.

Her parents, Michael and Meagan, made several visits to the pediatrician, but were told it was just gas.

But tests at the hospital revealed a different story: Kenni had an ovarian yolk sac tumor and several other tumors throughout her body. 

The toddler underwent a few surgeries and four rounds of chemotherapy and, on June 12, she got ring the hospital bell that declared she was cancer-free.

Now, her parents told DailyMail.com that they want to encourage other fathers and mothers to ‘trust their gut’ when it comes to their child’s health.

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McKenna 'Kenni' Shea Xydias, two, from Senoia, Georgia, was diagnosed with a rare ovarian yolk sac tumor on February 15. Pictured: Kenni ringing the hospital cancer-free bell with her parents

On June 12, scans showed that Kenni is cancer-free and rang the hospital bell with her parents (pictured)

McKenna ‘Kenni’ Shea Xydias, two, from Senoia, Georgia, was diagnosed with a rare ovarian yolk sac tumor on February 15. On June 12, scans showed that Kenni is cancer-free and rang the hospital bell with her parents (left and right)

Kenni (pictured) began developing high fevers and a bloated belly earlier this year, but her pediatrician initially dismissed her symptoms as gas

Kenni (pictured) began developing high fevers and a bloated belly earlier this year, but her pediatrician initially dismissed her symptoms as gas

Michael and Meagan met with Dr Katie Sutton, a pediatric oncologist at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, on June 12. 

‘We went to the doctor’s office to go over scans [Kenni] had on June 10, and the doctor told us she was completely free and clear,’ Meagan told DailyMail.com.

‘We just held each other and cried. We’re over the moon.’  

Kenni’s medical problems began in late January, when her parents were called to pick her up from day care after she developed a fever.

In February, her belly began bloating, but her pediatrician believed it was nothing more than gas.

Within a week, Kenni had trouble using the bathroom and her fever rocketed to 103F.

Meagan took her to the hospital, where doctors performed an ultrasound, a CT scan and an MRI.  

Several cancerous tumors were found in her abdomen, one near her liver, and another measuring 14 centimeters on her right ovary, reported Good Morning America.  

Kenni was diagnosed with a stage III malignant yolk-sac tumor, a rare tumor that arises from the cells lining the embryo’s yolk sac.

According to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, it is most often found in children between ages one and two.   

After developing a 103F fever, Kenni was taken to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Pictured: Kenni in the hospital

An ultrasound, an MRI and CT scans revealed tumors on her ovary, across her abdomen and near her liver. Pictured: Kenni in the hospital

After developing a 103F fever, Kenni was taken to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. An ultrasound, an MRI and CT scans revealed tumors on her ovary, across her abdomen and near her liver. Pictured, left and right: Kenni in the hospital 

Within days of her diagnosis, Kenni (pictured) underwent surgery to remove her right ovary and five inches of her small intestine.

Within days of her diagnosis, Kenni (pictured) underwent surgery to remove her right ovary and five inches of her small intestine.

However it accounts for just one percent of all ovarian malignancies.  

‘This is very, very rare,’ Dr Robert Wenham, chair of the department of gynecologic Oncology at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida, told DailyMail.com in February. 

‘It is the youngest of which I have heard…Growth can be rapid.’  

However, he added that the five-year-survival can range from 100 percent for stage I to 70 percent for stage IV.      

Within days of her diagnosis, Kenni underwent surgery to remove her right ovary and five inches of her small intestine.  

In late February, Kenni began chemotherapy, undergoing four rounds that lasted five days each.  

‘After the first round of chemo, her hair started falling out,’ Meagan said. ‘She had nausea, her appetite was not very well, and she would vomit more and more after day one [of each round].

But on June 12, doctors revealed that Kenni had ‘no evidence of disease’. Video shows Kenni and her parents ringing the hospital cancer bell, declaring she was cancer-free. 

Meagan says that every month, Kenni will need to have bloodwork done and scans will need be to performed every six months.

In late February, Kenni began chemotherapy, undergoing four rounds that lasted five days each. Pictured: Kenni, right, with her brothers

In late February, Kenni began chemotherapy, undergoing four rounds that lasted five days each. Pictured: Kenni, right, with her brothers

On June 12, scans showed no evidence of disease. Pictured: Kenni

Kenni's parents say that they want to encourage other parents to 'trust their gut' if they believe something is wrong with their parents. Pictured: Kenni

On June 12, scans showed no evidence of disease. Kenni’s parents say that they want to encourage other parents to ‘trust their gut’ if they believe something is wrong with their parents. Pictured, left and right: Kenni

‘We expect her to thrive, but there’s a chance of recurrence,’ Meagan said. ‘Mike and I will fear that every time she gets sick or has a fever.’

However, the Xyiadases call Kenni the strongest girl they know and are encouraging other parents to follow their instincts when it comes to the children’s health. 

‘Our biggest takeaway is to trust your gut when it comes to yours or your child’s health,’ Michael said.

‘Doctors are human and can sometimes miss things, so if you feel that another test needs to be run, pursue it.’ 

A family friend set up a GoFundMe page to help cover the cost of Kenni’s medical bills as well as additional family expenses.

Almost all of the $52,500 goal has been raised.



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