BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE family of an 11-year-old is seeking financial assistance from the public to have the child sent overseas to remove a tumour growing on her face.
A tumour was discovered growing on the left side of the face of Vernel Thomas of Old Road, who would have to travel overseas in the near future to have it removed. Her family is appealing to the public for financial assistance that would greatly aid in the child's time of need.
SKNVibes spoke with Thomas' aunt and guardian, Mercia Flanders, who explained how the family found out about the tumour and the journey thus far to have the matter rectified.
She explained that a bump on Thomas' face was first noticed in November 2013.
"I first noticed in early November last year that there was a swelling on the left side of her face, which was very small. So I asked her if her face was hurting her and she said no. I said to her, 'Are you having a tooth problem?' and she indicated that there was a tooth that was affecting her."
Flanders said she took her niece to a dentist, who told them that the bump was the sign of an abscess and no extraction would be done until the swelling went down.
She said the 11-year-old was given antibiotics to reduce the swelling, but after two weeks, though there was some reduction, it was still swollen.
Consequently, they returned to the dentist and were told that an extraction had to be done.
Following the extraction, the aunt said the swelling had returned three weeks later and Thomas was taken back to the dentist who did X-rays but could not ascertain the reason for the swelling.
"All the X-ray was showing was that there was a blockage, but she [dentist] did not know what was causing it," Flanders explained.
She said the dentist recommended visiting another dental facility to see a specific dentist in an effort to find the root cause of the swelling and blockage.
Flanders added that the other dentist also did X-rays and suggested that it could be as a result of sinus problems.
It was recommended that they visit an ear, nose and throat specialist based in Antigua, but he was off island at the time.
"We have been all over. We have even been to Nevis to see if we can get to find out what was really causing [the swelling] because we all thought it was a dental problem. We have been to three dentists here in St. Kitts and one in Nevis and we did not get any word as to why the face was still swelling,” Flanders said.
Flanders explained that one day she and her mother had visited Dr. Odunton and he advised that they take Thomas to see Dr. Wilkinson, which they did in January this year.
"He too agreed that it could be a cyst and that he could drain it and it will go down. We did the surgery in late January and the swelling indeed went down, but after three weeks it came back up and it was worse than the very first time."
She further explained that they revisited the surgeon and he recommended that they do a CT scan in Antigua to assess the exact cause of the recurring swelling.
Thomas was taken to Antigua for the CT scan, which was done on March 19, and upon her return to the Federation she was hospitalised. Two days later she was treated for an infection in the swollen area and a biopsy was also done.
She was discharged on April 3.
Flanders further said that the results informed that it is a tumour.
She indicated that Paediatrician Dr. Jacobs is working diligently alongside the family in trying to get an overseas clinic to accept the case, and so they have so far gotten responses from Panama and New Orleans.
The aunt said tissue samples and other medical information were sent to both clinics and they are currently awaiting word as to which of the two clinics would accept Thomas for treatment.
In the meantime, the Flanders informed that she is working on obtaining a Unites States Visa for Thomas so that she would be fully prepared to travel when acceptance is guaranteed.
With regards to Thomas’ education and the effects the tumour has had on her, Flanders said she had to be taken out of school, not only because of travel and hospitalisation but also because of the pressure placed on her by the other students.
"She was going to school but one of the reasons I had to take her out is because she kept coming home and complaining that the kids are heckling her. Personally, I could not put her through that. It is unbearable enough to have somebody bullying you, but teasing you in school about your face for something that is not your fault is not right."
Flanders explained that Thomas, however, did not fall behind in her learning. She was kept up to speed by her teacher who ensured the lessons were passed on and homework completed.
Financially, Flanders disclosed that the family is still awaiting an official quotation but was informed that costs might be over US$30 000.
She disclosed that the family is not financially endowed, "so whatever little help that would come in to us would be greatly appreciated".
The aunt revealed Thomas lost her mother [Flanders' sister] some three years ago due to illness and, during that time, a lot of money was spent on her medical treatment.
"I am still trying to pay back loans from dealing with her illness, and that is why I have to revert to different resources because I cannot dig into what I had. It is now used up because of what I had to do for my sister."
Flanders is appealing to the public to assist in any way possible, noting that any form of help, no matter how small, would go a long way in aiding the removal of Thomas' tumour.
Mercia Flanders can be contacted at (869) 665-0103 and any form of assistance is welcomed.
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