Niamh's Fight

History
It was a joyous occasion for first time parents Dale Stoute and Petra Gooding on the birth of their first child Niamh on the January 23, 2003 at 12:00 noon at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) in Barbados.  Niamh was a healthy baby girl, 7 pounds 12 ounces with lots of hair.  Her baby and toddler stages were normal; however, nothing could prepare her parents for the journey ahead.  

When Niamh was diagnosed it was like a ton of bricks were on their shoulders.  Her life was changed in a split second.  In October 2009, when she was 6 years old, Niamh became gravely ill with Stage 4 high risk Neuroblastoma, an aggressive children’s cancer with a survival rate of 40%.  This cancer came in a form of a massive tumor that enclosed all her major organs except the heart.  The doctors described this monster as a silent killer.  It didn’t show itself until it was cresting on a nerve against an organ causing havoc in her abdomen.

Medical attention was sought outside of Barbados at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Aflac Cancer Centre in the US for 18 months.  Niamh’s treatment consisted of 6 rounds of chemotherapy, an eleven-hour surgery to remove the remainder of the tumor and high intensity chemotherapy with stem cell transplant. This is high doses of three different chemotherapy drugs infused for three days consecutively for 24 hours a day, radiation that caused life long side effects and the antibody treatment, which was not completed, because her blood count was not stabilizing.  This was performed at St. Jude’s Children Hospital in Memphis Tennessee.  The unthinkable proportions even for an adult.  She has endured many surgeries — to insert central lines in the body, through which her liquid medication was fed and from which blood was drawn, 5 other minor surgeries, six bone marrow biopsies.  The scars on her body are visible evidence of this little girl’s ordeal.  Niamh, The Warrior Princess, which she was named for her fighting spirit never gave up and her faith was never shaken.

There were many setbacks, many heartaches and so many close calls.  We knew of many children who started treatment the same time as Niamh did, who died.  ‘My God is Able’ was our motto and any time we couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel we held on to that faith.

New Developments
Niamh is in remission and cancer free since 2012 and turned 16 this year, having been diagnosed at 6 years old.  A birthday we thought she would never see but God had other plans for her life.

After celebrating her 16th birthday with her family, close friends and church family we could never imagined that we would be once again seeking medical attention.  Niamh started to complain of pain in her abdomen around July 2019.  This led us to the doctors in Barbados in which X-rays were performed. It was discovered that a mass was in her abdomen which could be the cause of the pain.  We returned with Niamh once again to Atlanta. 

After several scans and a MRI it was determined that the residual tumor that was deemed inoperable from her previous treatments was pushing on her gallbladder and preventing the necessary fluids from draining to her bowels.  The tumor is also affecting other major organs.  Niamh had to get a pain block procedure because the nerves that the tumor is resting on is causing excruciating pain.  She will have to return to the US every 6 months to have a stent placed in her gallbladder valve and have the necessary scans completed. 

On the October 6, Niamh returned to Barbados after her medical insurance was depleted and we could no longer afford the treatment given at hospital in Atlanta.

However, our dear Niamh did not return the same.  Niamh is now wheel chair bound.  She continues to be in severe pain, which results in her being heavenly sedated during the day.  She is unable to digest meals, which result in her throwing up numerous times in a day.  

This is now almost three weeks since her return and the pain has become more severe.  There has been no improvement and she started to retain fluid in her stomach.  We immediately sought the attention of private doctors who referred us to the QEH for assistance.  On arrival they drained the fluid, indicated that it would be sent for testing and Niamh was released from the hospital that same day.  Less than 24 hours later, the fluid engulfed Niamh’s stomach once again and she was in severe pain.  Niamh’s abdomen is distended due to the amount of fluid that she is retaining.  After discussion with various medical professionals, it was recommended that we should seek immediate medical attention overseas. 

As a result, this GoFundMe is being set up to assist with current and future medical expenses such as airfare to the USA, ongoing medication such as Morphine (as Niamh needs narcotics to assist with her pain management), stent replacement, Pet Scans, CT Scans, MRIs, blood analysis, and ongoing drainage procedures. 

We humbly ask you to assist in any way you can to help us get our little warrior restored to good health.  Niamh continues to have a fighting spirit but requires immediate medical attention.  We appeal for your support as she cannot fight alone. 

https://www.nationnews.com/nationnews/news/36281/niamh-8217-bit-fighter 

WHY SO MUCH MONEY?
Niamh’s parents will be seeking medical attention at Mayo’s Clinic in Minnesota, USA. Mayo’s Clinic was chosen as they specialize in cancer and gastroenterology. The estimated costs are broken down as follows:
a) Airfare for 2 adults and Niamh to travel from Barbados to Minnesota, USA - $6K;
b) Room and Board - $70K ($17,425 per week @ 4 weeks);
c) Doctor visits - $13.5K ($1,350 per visit @ an estimated 10 visits for 4 weeks)
d) Scans (MRI, Pet Scans, CT Scans) - $50K
e) X-rays and blood analysis - $15K
f) Pain management (medication) - $6K

These costs are based on our previous experience at the clinic in Atlanta and does not even include any potential surgeries or minor operations that may be required.  Therefore, they are subject to change on arrival at Mayo’s Clinic based on their hospital procedures and medical standards. Some of the funds will be withdrawn to pay for the upfront costs such as the airfare and accommodation. The reminder of the funds will be withdrawn based on the payment schedule for her treatments as required.  

TIME IS OF THE ESSENSE
Niamh currently has an appointment scheduled at Mayo’s Clinic for November 5, 2019. As a result, we urgently need your assistance to ensure Niamh has the necessary funding to start and support her ongoing treatment.  

For local inquiries and donations, please contact us at [phone redacted].

Alternatively, you can make your donations in Barbados at the following:

BANK: CIBC FIRSTCARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL BANK

NAME OF ACCOUNT: THE NIAMH STOUTE MEDICAL FUND.

ACCOUNT NO: 1001188700

 ABOUT ME
My name is Shanika Hewitt and I am from Barbados. Niamh’s mum is my close friend and I’m trying to help this family raise the necessary funds to assist with Niamh’s fight.