Hodgdon, GHCA alumni games raise more than $3,000
As the New Year rings in hope and promise, one young lady will be looking for the year to bring good health and happiness, as well.
Maya Gardiner, 21, daughter of Dean and Amy Gardiner of Hodgdon, recently was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and on Saturday more than $3,000 was raised between the Hodgdon and the Greater Houlton Christian alumni games and bake sale to help Maya and her family. The games were held at Hodgdon High School.
“Maya started feeling a ‘lump’ in her abdomen,” said her mother Amy Gardiner. “She could actually feel a mass when she lied down.”
The first obstetrics/gynecology visit rendered a CAT scan that revealed a large mass, the size of a grapefruit, on her ovary.
“At first, the doctor thought it was a benign cyst,” said Amy. “They took blood tests and one of those came back with elevated AFP levels, which is an indicator of cancer.”
Maya then was referred to Maine Medical Oncology in Portland where she had surgery. The first biopsy results were benign.
“The surgeon thought he had removed it all and we thought we were in the clear,” Amy added.
But, the final pathology report read differently. That report said the tumor was a grade 3, which means high risk.
Maya has a germ cell tumor or immature teratoma. This type of mass affects girls ages 10 to 20 and of all ovarian cancers, only 1 to 2 percent are this type.
At the start of January, Maya will undergo an intense nine weeks of chemotherapy (BEP) which will be three cycles of five-day regimens, along with Bleo shots the second and third weeks.
The Gardiner family was told that this chemo was one of the most aggressive and side effects include lung damage, neuropathy, possible hearing loss and nausea.
Yet, Saturday night, Maya had plenty of smiles and her countenance free of care for just a few hours.
“Saturday night meant so much to all of us,” said Amy. “She needed to have enough fun to last her awhile.”
After Maya’s chemo, there is a six-month recovery period to get her functions back to “normal.”
“It will be a long time before she can run or play basketball again,” her mother added.
Just hearing the word cancer sends fear through us all. When Maya and her family were told her tumor was malignant, they broke down and went through the wondering why, the many questions and concerns, decisions were made and the Gardiners are facing this disease head on.
“Maya has been positive and upbeat through this,” her mother said. “She wanted to celebrate a normal Christmas so talk about her upcoming chemo has been limited.”
Yesterday, Maya was scheduled to see her oncologist in Portland to set up her treatment schedule. Fortunately, Maya will receive her treatments at Cary Medical Center in Presque Isle. She will stay overnight during her five-day treatments.
“Her prognosis is good after the chemo,” Amy said. “Without chemo, there would have been a 70 percent chance it would recur and be more aggressive. We are praying that due to her age, she will be able to recover quickly.”
Anyone wishing to donate to the Gardiners may do so by visiting gofundme.org/mayagardiner or the link on Amy’s Facebook page. Or, donations may be sent to 254 Jackins Settlement Road, Hodgdon 04730.
“The donations mean so much to us,” said Amy. “I will be able to focus more attention on her and not worry about missing work. That was really hard over the past few months because I needed to be with her, but I had to work.”
Maya is attending the University of Maine at Presque Isle studying sports medicine.
“I am trying to encourage her to continue classes,” said Amy. “Her advisor, Barb Blackstone and all of her instructors have been so flexible. They have said they will be willing to let her work independently and continue as much as she can.”
Maya, a very humble young lady, always gives her best and works hard, but this fight will be one of her biggest challenges she will ever face.
“The feeling of having so many people care and support her means more than we can ever express in words,” Amy explained. “And the first thing Maya said was, ‘I need to do something nice for everyone to thank them for what they are doing for me.’ She is always thinking of others even in her situation.”
The Gardiners are grateful for all that is being done to help them.
“Everyone has been amazing,” said Amy. “GHCA and Hodgdon schools and communities are a perfect example of it takes a village to raise a child and in this case, a village to support one of their own.
“Our hearts are full and our cup runneth over,” she added. “We know we have a long, hard journey ahead of us, but we know we are not alone. Keep the prayers coming and thank you to everyone. I know you will all be there for us in the months to come. We are optimistic and hopeful and with the strength from God and all the Angels, we are in good hands.”
