BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - AS G’Neika travels further along the path to recovery, her mother Kamoy Liburd continued to express thanks to those who have contributed to helping her successfully battle cancer.
G’Neika’s saga began in early 2013 after her parents discovered that she had a brain tumor which affected her motor skills.
And after seeking assistance and receiving from various local and international institutions, businesses and individuals, Liburd travelled to Bethesda, Maryland in the United States for treatment.
The treatment was inclusive of surgery to remove the tumour, physical and recreational therapy chemotherapy and radiation.
The first time SKNVibes met with Liburd, G’Neika was unable to walk on her own and had to be carried from one spot to another. The next time she was seen by this publication - in June 2013 following surgery - the six-year old was walking but was in need of much assistance to do so.
This publication met with both mother and daughter on Friday (Jan. 17) and was pleasantly surprised to find G’Neika walking on her own.
Yes, she still needs little assistance here and there but she is able to walk on her own and is able to assist herself with things she might need and has returned to school fulltime at the Violet Petty Primary School in Lodge Village.
Her last treatment of chemotherapy was on December 3, 2013 after which she ensured a series of blood tests, lab work, check-ups and physical therapy sessions.
Liburd reports that two weeks before she returned to the Federation with her daughter, a MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imagine) scan was performed and “they said everything looks clear and we are finished with that. So let us hope that it doesn’t come back”.
Back in school - fulltime - G’Neika is repeating Grade One as she missed a year of school owing to the illness.
“They were all happy to see her, and even though she can help herself they are still there and willing to assist her. She is really fitting in well,” her mother said.
She is however scheduled to return to Bethesda sometime in February for a check-up.
Liburd said the journey has been long and hard and involved some worrisome days, but her daughter - although she was suffering with the illness - constantly told her not to worry about it.
G’Neika told SKNVibes she feels “good” that she can now walk and believes that God has taken care of her and that He would continue to take care of her. She said she greatly missed her friends and now that she is back in school she is dedicated to working to advance in her education.
Liburd produced a list of in excess of 30 individuals, companies and institutions which she said were instrumental in assisting her daughter with her battle against cancer. And at the top of the list was God who has been her source of strength.
