A mother’s Hope

Sunday was Mother’s Day, a special day for so many families.
When Kayla and Gerald Case look into the smiling face of their 4-year-old daughter Ryley, they indeed see something special.
Hope.
It is not only the “feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen” that shines through, the Cases literally see Hope.
That is Ryley’s middle name. The Cases named Ryley after a late aunt.
It’s a middle name that seems all the more appropriate given the circumstances surrounding Feb. 17, 2015, Mardi Gras day.
“We brought Ryley to Lafayette General Hospital,” Kayla Case said. “She was having symptoms of the flu. Her test came back that she not only had the flu but she also had strep throat and pneumonia.”
Further tests returned devastating news.
“After examining her and noticing her belly swollen and further testing of an ultrasound and x-Rays,” Kayla Case explained, “the pediatric doctor on call came back with some terrible news, Ryley had a tumor on the right side of her liver.”
Doctors transferred Ryley to Women’s & Children’s Hospital in Lafayette. She had surgery to have a biopsy and Mediport done.
The Cases waited four days for the results. The surgery revealed Ryley had Hepatoblastoma, stage 3 liver cancer.
“The news was devastating,” Kayla Case said. “To know your 4-year-old has a 5-inch tumor over her liver, my husband and did not know what to expect or how to act knowing that she would have to under go chemotherapy.”
Emotions often took over in the ensuing days.
“I cry everyday and night just thinking about her pain,” Kayla Case said.
Ryley began chemotherapy on Feb. 25.
“The out come wasn’t so good,” Kayla Case said. “She lost a lot of weight and was always tired.
“But she always managed to put on a smile.”
The process improved after the initial round.
“She has been doing chemo since then and it’s getting better every time,” Kayla Case said last week. “We took a CT scan after round 2, to see how the tumor was looking. The tumor is shrinking but not enough to do surgery, so another two rounds of chemo was ordered. We met with a liver transplant team in New Orleans to discuss if she would need a transplant and what we would need to do. We will be starting round four of chemo Monday and after this round will tell us if a transplant is what we need or a resection if possible.
“I have to say that she is doing wonderful with all this and knows exactly what is going to happen every time.”
Ryley’s parents are not surprised.
“She is a strong little girl and a fighter,” Kayla Case said.
Ryley’s mother has found her own strength, too.
“We never once imagined what it would be like to go through something like this,” Kayla Case said. “I have become so strong, especially for her.”
The Case family has not had to stand alone.
“We have a lot of love and support through this tough time,” Kayla Case said. “I can’t tell you how much it means to us that they have good hearted people out there.”
Ryley feels the support.
“Ryley loves each and everyone of y’all,” Kayla Case said. “She is such a happy person and she knows what she is going through and knows that she has a lot of supporters and prayers going for her.”
The Cases are grateful for all of the support.
“We just want to thank everyone who has helped us and still helping us get through this,” Kayla Case said. “This is a very long road ahead and we can’t thank y’all enough for the love, support and prayers. Again, thank y’all from the bottom of our hearts. We appreciate every prayer.
“They are working... just continue to pray for our little fighter.”
Those wishing to help financially can donate through an account set up at Gulf Coast Bank and online at www.GoFundMe.com.
“We are also selling bracelets to help Ryley know that she is not alone in this,” Kayla Case said.
This began nearly three months ago. Hope has carried the days since Feb. 17 and hope will certainly carry the days going forward.
“Liver cancer awareness, everything has hope on it,” Kayla Case said. “We have hope that our little fighter will pull through this. She is a brave young lady and will explain everything to anyone that has to go through something like this.”