Five-year-old Zofeya has cancer. Her mom, photographer Noemi Dorgu chronicles their life with this disease on her blog, filled with gorgeous inspiring images.
At age 4, Zofeya started bumping into objects. Her mother thought the little girl was just clumsy, but when Zofeya's condition worsened, doctors recommended an MRI. Noemi thought her daughter would be afraid in the large, scary tube.
"Little did I know, that this would be the last of my worries a few hours later," she told The Huffington Post in an email.
They diagnosed Zofeya with a brain tumor called medulloblastoma. She lost her high frequency hearing, and her hair from chemotherapy. Now, when Zofeya plays doctor with her teddy bears, they get cannulas and radiotherapy instead of bandages, mom told Baby Center last month. Instead of The 3 Little Pigs, at bedtime, Noemi and Zofeya read Mary's Got A Brain Tumor, to help her understand her disease.
Over the last 10 months, the little girl has received 30 radiotherapy treatments, 38 General Anesthetics, 19 rounds of chemo, and two surgeries, among other procedures. But they aren't procedures to Zofeya. They're her "Beads of Courage." She has 358 literal beads lined up on a string -- each representing a form of treatment, hospital visit, or a time when she acted courageous. "Children have an amazing ability to be kids even through hardship and difficult treatment," Noemi says.
Shortly after the diagnosis, Noemi's brother, a web designer, offered to create a website so she could update friends and family. She intended to use the blog, called "Going through this together," to pass on information about Zofeya's treatment, but over time, the space became a place to express her emotions, too. When words weren't enough, she took photos, lots of them. "It's a language I find easier," mom said.
The photos, and seeing Zofeya's smile have pulled mom through it all. "There are really hard times, and sometimes it breaks your heart to see your child so very sick, but they will not lose their childhood and innocence," she said. "They're stronger than that."
Zofeya is currently on her fifth chemo cycle of eight, and doctors hope to finish her active treatment in September 2014.
Support HuffPost
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.
