Feb. 24--Three days after her daughter got a pediatrician's clean bill of health in January, Kristie Bowlds noticed a sizable lump under Emmalee's right arm.
At first, Kristie Bowlds, a health care professional, thought maybe she'd dislocated the then-4-month-old's shoulder during the child's nightly bath.
If only that were the case, how uncomplicated life would've been for the Bowlds family of Utica.
Turns out, it took about a month, numerous tests and biopsies, physicians from four states and trips to three hospitals to finally find out that Andy and Kristie Bowlds' third daughter had atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor, an extremely rare and aggressive tumor of early childhood.
While seeking a second opinion at Cincinnati Children's Medical Center on Feb. 9, the Bowlds were relieved to hear Dr. James Geller's assessment. Geller is an assistant professor of clinical pediatrics, and an oncologist known for his expertise in brain tumors.
"He said if Emmalee's cancer was in her brain, kidney or liver, the prognosis would be poor, but because of where it was, her fight was worth fighting," Kristie Bowlds said.
At its worst, the tumor had grown from 4 to 8 centimeters and hardened, and the child lost movement in her right arm.
But things started turning in her favor with her first round of chemotherapy at Kosair Children's Hospital in Louisville.
"Two days into the chemo, the knot started melting away," Bowlds said.
Emmalee Bowlds, now 6 months old, will start a second round of chemo today, with another round set for next month.
"She still has a long road ahead," Bowlds said.
The Bowlds have been through the wringer in the six weeks since the problem first arose.
Initially, they took their daughter to Owensboro Medical Health System's emergency room on Jan. 16, where she received treatment for what appeared to be lymphadenitis, an enlargement of lymph nodes caused by bacterial infection. She was prescribed antibiotics, but that didn't help, Bowlds said.
Four days later, Emmalee's condition worsened. She couldn't move her right arm, her grip got weaker and the 4-centimeter knot hardened. On Jan. 23, she was taken to Kosair for more tests.
"I thought we were dealing with nerve damage," Bowlds said. "We weren't expecting it to be cancer."
On the second day at Kosair, an incisional biopsy of the underarm was taken, and doctors thought Emmalee had cancer.
"The mass was growing so big -- about 8 centimeters -- that it was outgrowing its blood supply and was going to areas where it could feed," Bowlds said.
Emmalee underwent a variety of tests for about a week, but they came back negative. Lymphoma, primitive neuroectodermal tumors and neuroblastoma were all discounted. Bowlds said the consensus was that it was some type of sarcoma, a cancer that begins in the muscle, fat, fibrous tissue, blood vessels or other supporting tissue.
They left Kosair on Jan. 28 and were back home for a few days when Kristie Bowlds noticed the mass had moved to her daughter's shoulder. On Feb. 1, the family returned to Kosair where the child had a bone marrow biopsy.
Physicians in Nashville and Chicago also became involved in the case.
At one point, radiation therapy was discussed, but the treatment would've affected the child's growth, said Bowlds, who does ultrasounds and X-rays as a clinical supervisor for outpatient diagnostics at RDI. The family and a sarcoma specialist didn't want to go that route.
"Within a week of her first round of chemo, she's already gained some movement in her arm, and there's a little bit of muscle tone coming back," Bowlds said.
Meanwhile, a Facebook page called "Prayers for Emmalee" was created and has more than 6,800 fans across the country.
"We've had tons of love, support and prayers," Bowlds said. "I knew when we found that knot, it wasn't good. A parent never wants to think her child has cancer, but Andy and I both have strong faith. I just said, 'Lord, my baby is in your hands.'
"I still don't know what miracle He's going to perform, or who He's trying to reach. I hate that it's Emmalee, but He has a plan."
* Donations to help with medical bills can be made at US Bank locations and at First Security Bank of Kentucky in Calhoun.
Rich Suwanski, 691-7315, rsuwanski@messenger-inquirer.com
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