Sicily Zeka acts like any normal 3 year-old girl.
She loves talking on the phone to the point of stealing it away from her mother on occasion and is absolutely passionate about chewing bubble gum. She sings, dances and spends time with her siblings.
From all angles, Sicily is perfect — but that’s not what her doctor told her parents last month.
Three year-old Sicily was diagnosed with bi-lateral Wilms’ tumor — cancer of both kidneys — in August after a routine check-up while registering for pre-school.
The family had just moved to Broken Arrow, Okla., in June after living in Wellington for five years.
“Our new pediatrician found a mass on her abdomen and it was being treated for six weeks as if she was having intestinal problems and we finally had a CT scan on Aug. 22 and found out she has bi-lateral Wilms’,” said her mother Kerry Zeka.
Wilms' tumor is a rare kidney cancer that primarily affects children. Also known as nephroblastoma, it's the most common malignant tumor of the kidneys in children. The peak time of Wilms' tumor occurrence is at age 3, and it occurs only rarely after age 8, according to mayoclinic.com.
Wilms' tumor may arise in either or both kidneys — in Sicily’s case she has both.
“Most children only have it on one kidney but she has the genetic disposition to have the immature cells on both kidneys, we have separate tumors. It doesn’t mean it’s spread...she’s just the unlucky person who has both,” said Zeka.
The one on the right side is as large as a racquetball with the left the size of a golf ball.
Zeka said she and her family were shocked at the news. Sicily has shown no signs of illness — no fevers, noticeable lumps, anything.
Sicily is being treated in Tulsa and Oklahoma City by a total of nine doctors. All CT scans and surgeries will be performed in Oklahoma City, while blood work and chemotherapy can be done in Tulsa.
“It’s absolutely excellent...it’s almost like double dose because we have nine doctors instead of just one. We have that many more people keeping tabs on her,” said Zeka.
The vibrant 3 year-old is already on a six-week schedule of chemotherapy once a week to shrink the tumors. Wilm’s is very reactive to chemotherapy, said Zeka. Sicily seems to be taking well to the treatment, though only time will tell in the end.
“I could feel the right tumor and now I can’t even find it,” she said. “I don’t like to tell people that because it’s still a matter of how much did it damage her kidneys, how much of the kidney tissue can we save...”
Sicily has no idea that she’s sick, said her mother and that’s to her benefit. After being told she was sick she checked her forehead to no avail.
“She just doesn’t get it,” Zeka said. “She’s miraculous and she’s just flown through some of these treatments.”
The little girl has even become excited that her hair is falling out because of chemotherapy.
“She’s like, ‘Mom look! My hair!” said Zeka, who has had to make a game of the pain of the ordeal. “There are times I’m just holding back tears, but what can you do?”
As news spread back to Sumner County, former neighbors, friends and family were inspired by the bouncy Sicily’s strength to start raising money for cancer in her honor.
Sicily Zeka has been dubbed the “Cancer Crusader” and now local sorority Beta Sigma Phi — whom Kerry Zeka was a member — is selling “Cancer Crusader” shirts with all money made going towards cancer research.
Sorority member and owner of Tan Express Lisa Allton said after hearing about the Zeka family’s experience, the sorority was moved to action.
“They’re a great family, we love them very much and it’s amazing how strong this family is going through this crisis. We wanted to do something as a sorority for a service project and we decided to sell these t-shirts,” said Allton.
The front of the shirts carry the much-loved Crusader head with the words “Cancer Crusader” and on the back is a ribbon saying “Inspired by Sicily Zeka.”
“She’s an inspiration to us,” said Allton. “Being 3 years-old and fighting through this, you know, we’re trying to do all we can for this family,”
T-shirts are now for sale at Tan Express in red and pink, short and long sleeve. Red t-shirts are $10, with $14 for long sleeve. Pink only comes in short sleeve for $10. Youth through extra large sizes are available and orders are placed on Mondays.
Beta Sigma Phi also plans on selling the shirts outside the gate at the next Wellington Crusader home football game.
Friends and neighbors are encouraged to write the family at 6800 S. Sycamore Ave., Broken Arrow, OK 74011.
Zeka said prayers and thoughts are more than welcome. Family members have even taken to doing one particular action when Sicily is receiving treatment.
“I think the more people who know, the better off we are because people are praying and thinking...there is actually a gum chewing campaign for her,” said Zeka. “Her aunt Betty Kay who lives in Hutchinson started it. Sicily loves gum and anytime she sees Bet, she wants gum so Bet had the idea we start chewing gum every time she has a chemo treatment and that’s our way to pray and think about her and that transfers into anytime you chew gum, you are thinking about Sicily. It has been the funniest thing.”
To keep up with the Sicily’s condition go online to: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/sicilyevelynzeka.
Wellington, Kan. —
