Zuza’s Second Acute Myeloid Leukemia Battle

It is truly with the heaviest heart that I post this, as we never imagined we would be back here with 8 year old Zuza. February 24, 2020 marked a five year remission for sweet Zuza, who had begun her battle with AML at the young age of 3. Her parents, both physician assistant colleagues, uprooted their family and their lives for over five months to get their daughter healed and into remission. Through a mixture of conventional and integrative medicine, Zuza has thrived for five years, until now. Over this past weekend, Zuza developed fevers and large lymph nodes, leading to hospitalization earlier this week at Children’s Hospital, where she has just again been diagnosed with AML. It’s unclear of her treatment path and her prognosis, as AML is much more complicated the second time around. As of now, Zuza is preparing for the initiation of chemotherapy yet again with the hope of bringing her into remission, so she can then undergo bone marrow transplant. Her projected treatment path is a long and difficult one; her family is simply devastated and terrified in the wake of this unbearable reality- but will undoubtedly persevere and fight to heal their daughter a second time. We will not give up on healing Zuza, who is an extraordinary young girl and has proven herself, once before, no match for cancer. As the family prepares for the several months course of hospitalization ahead, both Dagmara and Ryan will focus entirely on their daughter’s healing, leaving their jobs for the unforeseeable future as they prepare to move into Children’s Hospital yet again. This little girl has been through an unfathomable journey, and her parents’ strength tested to unimaginable measure. The most important goal is to keep sweet Zuza strong, happy, and encouraged, and we ask your help in sending her letters and packages to make her extended hospitalization as bearable as possible and keep her spirit alive. As many may know, Dagmara’s journey with her daughter’s initial cancer years ago led to the creation of her integrative medical practice in the Thiensville area. She has helped so many, some in similar situations as her own, to offer treatment and guidance to those in need through the integrative medical realm. If you are able and moved to do so, Dagmara and Ryan would be greatly humbled by any show of financial assistance throughout this ordeal to help keep their focus on Zuza. Both are uncertain of the unforseeable financial burden this is likely to take on their family while they are unable to work during this critical time. They will be putting all of their heart, time, and strength into get their little girl healthy again. Zuza loves all (non-toxic) arts and crafts, play-doe, etc.. and as she’ll be spending a good amount of time on her iPad, Amazon and Roblox gift cards are both welcomed and greatly appreciated..... All cards, words of encouragement, and packages for Zuza can be delivered directly through Children’s Hospital at: Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin 9000 West Wisconsin Avenue Milwaukee, WI 53226 Zuza Beine Room East 576..... Or, directly through me at: c/o Ellen Menefee 1111 East Goodrich Lane Fox Point, WI 53217..... If you wish to donate financially to the Beine family, you can do so through GoFundMe here..... Thank you for your support and prayers for Zuza and her family. Please share Zuza’s story and keep her and her family in your prayers.