It pains my heart that even little children must fight cancer. This could be one of the most challenging conflicts to fight. Most of the time, it does not end well, and the children die.
Fortunately, there are stories with happy endings despite all odds.
Dylan Little was born with several uncommon birthmarks and a dark red back covering his body. Doctors were taken aback.
Dylan was promptly transported to the NICU after his delivery. Unfortunately, it quickly became evident that the small child was suffering from a terrible illness known as Congenital Melanocytic Nevus, with birthmarks covering over 80% of his weak body.
Kara, his mother, was as surprised as the doctors. Throughout her pregnancy, she received check-ups and ultrasounds, and there were no indications that her baby was abnormal.
“When Dylan was born, his back was black and bleeding, and his face, arms, and legs were covered in moles. The largest one extended from above his ears to his bottom, wrapping over his shoulders, tummy, and entire backside. “There were hundreds of satellites with moles ranging in size from half a dollar to a dot of a pen,” she told Kidspot in 2016.
Dylan had already had a PET scan and an MRI at five weeks to rule out melanoma. Dylan had multiple melanin deposits in his brain due to his unusual illness, which affects only one in 20,000 people.
Doctors informed his parents that their child would need multiple surgeries before he turned one.
The mole on Dylan’s back was by far the largest; the physicians intended to obliterate it, but doing so would necessitate skin transplantation from other regions of the baby’s body.
Dylan had 26 surgeries as a child, and most of his back mole is now gone.
The only way to get the skin transplant he required was to use gen implants, similar to breast implants. The plan was for the skin to develop around it so that after the mole was removed, the youngster would have enough excess skin to cover his back.
“We’re hoping that the moles never turn cancerous, but he might get cancer at any time,” his mother, Kara, told the Telegraph. “Depending on the location of the body, he needs surgery every three to six months.”
“We’re doing our best for him; we want to give him the best, longest life we can,” Kara told the Telegraph.
“Dylan never ceases to amaze me; he always has a smile on his face and acts as if he owns the hospital; all the staff know and love him.”
Dylan is aware that he stands out from the other kids. Strangers may occasionally stop and stare, and he will simply approach them and explain why he looks the way he does.
There have been instances when children have been cruel to him, but for the most part, everyone is friendly.
“Once in a supermarket, a store manager ordered us to leave because one of their customers was furious since they had spotted our child, which was quite sad,” Kara explained.
On the other hand, Kara is right to refuse to hide or be ashamed of her son.
“I’m not frightened to take him out at all, and I don’t want him to be worried or think he should be ashamed of anything,” she stated.
Kara and Nikki’s parents have set up a Facebook page for Dylan to raise awareness about his condition and encourage others to join him on this journey.
“At this moment, we don’t know what his future holds; he might have days, weeks, years, or decades – which is why we’re doing everything we can to keep him with us,” Kara stated in 2016.
Dylan is Little
Dylan has had 33 surgeries, yet he still loves life and wants to enjoy it to the fullest. He enjoys fishing and baseball and spending time with friends and family.
His parents are constantly double-checking the moles he still has, as people with Congenital Melanocytic Nevus are at a high risk of developing skin cancer. As a result, they must always pay close attention to their birthmarks.
The boy still has to go to the doctor from time to time and even has minor procedures, but so far, everything has gone as planned, and the recovery has been quick.
Dylan is radiant and full of life in this recent photograph.
He’s a warrior, a hero, and an inspiration!
Congratulations, Dylan!
We hope you’re feeling well soon!
