When Madeline and Isabella Dunn were born on July 4 of this year, everything seemed normal.
Their parents, Michael, a ?94 graduate of Oxford High School, and Alissa Dunn were happy to bring two identical sisters home to be with their older brother, Isaiah, 2, in Grand Blanc.
But at their two-month checkup, the happy family was hit with life-altering news. Doctors found a large, cancerous tumor on Madeline’s abdomen.
Worse yet, two days later, they learned the cancer, called neuroblastoma, had entered into Isabella’s tiny body, too.
‘It’s a horrible situation, as you can imagine,? Michael Dunn said. ‘It was hard enough having the one diagnosed. At one point, you just feel like it’s the end of the world.?
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), neuroblastoma is a cancer found in infants and young children, usually before the age of 10. The cells of this type of cancer resemble ‘primitive developing nerve cells found in an embryo or fetus.? Most neuroblastomas (about two-thirds) start in the abdomen, like Madeline’s did.
Some of the warning signs of neuroblastoma depend on the location of the original tumor and the extent of spread to nearby or distant parts of the body.
The most common sign of a neuroblastoma is an unusual lump or mass. These are usually found in the child’s abdomen, causing it to swell, like Madeline had.
The child may also complain of abdominal fullness, discomfort, or pain, the direct result of a tumor being present, according to the ACS. Dunn said they originally thought their daughter had gas.
Now living in the neonatal intensive care unit at Children’s Hospital of Michigan in Detroit, ‘Maddie? and ‘Bella? have been through two rounds of chemotherapy for the Stage 4s cancer.
‘There is a small potential that they could go in and do surgery on the tumor, but it is also equally possible that they may not,? Dunn said, adding that the tumor could turn into scar tissue and stay in Madeline’s abdomen.
Although this has been a trying time for the Dunn family and their extended families, the father said they’ve been blessed to have so many who care.
‘We’ve received so much love and support from friends and family and strangers who’ve been down this same path,? he said.
‘The initial feeling is you feel all alone and that you’re out there all by yourself, but you’re not.?
According to the ACS, approximately 650 new cases of neuroblastoma are reported each year in the United States.
‘Other people have been down this path and have beat this cancer,? Dunn said. ‘It provides hope.?
Another big help is the financial support the Dunn family has received through fund-raisers.
On Sept.29, the Michigan-based Zoe Bergen Childhood Cancer Foundation hosted a fund-raiser dinner for the girls in Fraser. The proceeds will help pay for the girls? medical treatments.
For now, the Dunns are relying on faith, family and friends to get the girls the miracle they deserve.
If you’d like to contribute to the Dunn twins?, donations can be made to either of the following: Zoe Bergen Childhood Cancer Foundation designated for the Dunn Twins, 49465 Brockton Ct., Chesterfield Twp., MI 48947 or Holy Cross Lutheran Church designated for the Dunn Twins, 136 S. Washington St., Oxford, MI 48371.
Those wanting to send well-wishes for the family can be directed to their website, www.caringbridge.org/visit/dunntwins.