Young Cancer Patient Faces Major Surgery, Finds Strength in Mother’s Example
Amsterdam, Netherlands – Eleven-year-old Mila underwent a complex stomach removal surgery at the Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital this week, battling a hereditary form of stomach cancer. The procedure, performed with the assistance of the Da Vinci surgical robot, marks a significant challenge due to Mila’s young age, but she faces it with remarkable resilience, drawing strength from her mother’s own experience with the disease.
“It feels like a bad movie,” Mila shared, adding with a smile, ”but I have a very nice example. My lovely mother also let her stomach look out.”
The surgery, led by oncologists Johanna van Sandick and Alexander Veenhof, utilized the Da Vinci robot’s precision to minimize invasiveness. “Every movement I make at the console is performed in Mila’s stomach,” explained Veenhof. “You can perform and see everything much more precisely. That is really the added value of an operating robot.” The robotic assistance allows for smaller incisions than conventional surgery.
Mila acknowledges the road ahead will be difficult, anticipating adjustments to her diet similar to those her mother has made. “I know I can live without a stomach,” she stated, “The struggles that I have seen with my mother will also be with me, but I will get through that.” Her mother humorously described the changes, noting a shift from larger portions to ”smaller and it is indeed cheaper… Rather of one swirl it is a children’s ice cream.”
The morning of the operation brought intense emotion. “I slept reasonably well, only my body was restless,” Mila recounted. “I think if I am on the bed and I am taken to the operating room,I am in tears.” She admitted to crying as she said goodbye to her mother,her primary source of inspiration.”I try to be very strong, but it’s not nothing.”
Following the surgery, Mila reported feeling drowsy, describing the immediate aftermath as a blur of pain and anesthesia. “In the beginning the pain was an eight and now it is a three with anesthesia. I just feel a bit dull sometimes.”
Surgeon Johanna van Sandick expressed her admiration for Mila’s courage.”Mila is pretty tough. What plays with her is her age. I have never operated on such a young girl. I have also operated on her mother and I think it is indeed ‘nice’ that I can also be there for her daughter.”
The story of Mila and her mother is featured in the documentary Antoni van Leeuwenhoek: about living with cancer, airing Tuesdays at 8:30 pm on RTL 4.
