Baby Girl Born With a Tumor on Her Nose That Pushed One Eye Out — Her Mother Was Told She Might Not Survive

When Topanga welcomed her daughter Tattianah, the moment she had waited months for quickly turned into a medical emergency.

Her newborn baby had a large growth on her nose that was pushing one of her eyes out of its normal position.

Doctors initially struggled to determine exactly what the mass was. For her frightened mother, the uncertainty became even more devastating when she was told her daughter’s chances of survival were extremely poor.

A Pregnancy Filled With Worry

Throughout her pregnancy, Topanga experienced significant health difficulties and repeatedly felt that something was wrong.

She underwent more than ten scans, but according to her account, she was reassured that her unborn daughter appeared healthy.

When Tattianah was eventually delivered by Caesarean section, her heart rate had been dropping and she required immediate intensive care.

The visible growth on her face revealed a serious condition that had not been anticipated by her family.

Doctors Discover a Rare Tumor

Further medical investigations revealed that Tattianah had an immature teratoma, a rare germ cell tumor.

The growth involved her face and had displaced her left eye.

Her mother recalled that the family initially received conflicting information about whether the tumor was benign or malignant.

Tattianah ultimately required cancer treatment, including four rounds of chemotherapy.

Multiple Operations and Difficult Complications

Alongside chemotherapy, Tattianah underwent several surgical procedures intended to remove as much of the tumor as possible.

Her treatment journey was extremely difficult.

According to her mother, she experienced seizures and developed a serious infection affecting the surface of her brain following surgery.

She subsequently developed epilepsy and required anti-seizure medication.

The tumor had also caused permanent damage to her left eye, leaving her without vision on that side.

A Mother Celebrates Every Small Milestone

When Topanga shared her daughter’s story with Children with Cancer UK, Tattianah was approaching her second birthday.

Her development had been significantly delayed, and she was still working towards milestones that other children might reach much earlier.

Nevertheless, her mother described her as a happy little girl who loved affection, cuddles and attention.

For Topanga, even the smallest signs of progress carried enormous meaning after everything her daughter had experienced.

An Uncertain Future, Surrounded by Love

Doctors had been unable to remove the entire tumor, meaning Tattianah could potentially require further treatment if the remaining growth increased in size.

Her mother was deeply concerned about the risks of another operation because of the serious complications her daughter had already endured.

Despite that uncertainty, Topanga remained focused on supporting her daughter’s development and making her life as comfortable and happy as possible.

Tattianah’s story highlights the challenges faced by families dealing with rare childhood cancers, especially when treatment begins during the earliest months of life.

Behind the medical diagnosis is a little girl whose mother continues to celebrate every smile, every cuddle and every precious milestone.

Source: Children with Cancer UK — Tattianah’s Story. First-person account shared by her mother, Topanga.