UNSTOPPABLE: Matthew Gage Middle School student Emmalea Ma proves to be an inspiration for all.
By Danijel Bilaver, Staff Writer
Emmalea Ma is currently in the eighth grade and battling ovarian cancer. She was diagnosed at 11 years old in September of 2014. Typically, 11-year-old children are just beginning middle school-an exciting time in any person’s life. They should not have to consider scary illnesses and conditions. But for Matthew Gage Middle School student Emmalea Ma, this does not ring true. Ovarian cancer is a cancer that begins in the ovaries, the female organs that are responsible for producing eggs. Most ovarian cancers emerge from the epithelium, the outer lining of the ovary. Women diagnosed with ovarian cancer are usually 63 years of age or older. Emmalea is a rare case, as only 1.3% of women age 20 or younger are diagnosed with this type of cancer.
This diagnosis turned her whole world upside down, as battling cancer at an early age is uneasy to process. It was definitely a shock to her and her family; “It’s a scary thing […] you’re thinking now, what do you do really?” Emmalea said. She didn’t know how to react at first, but realized she just needed to take it day by day. When she was first diagnosed, the doctors located a tumor in her left ovary. To remove the tumor, she endured a procedure in which doctors cut down her stomach and removed her ovary. Something unexpected happened during the surgery, which temporarily paralyzed her and disabled her ability to walk. To learn how to walk again, she went through physical therapy for 10 days, where she performed various walking exercises. “It was a very traumatic experience” Emmalea’s mother, Mary Ma, stated. Her parents were deeply affected by her ovarian cancer, particularly because they loathed seeing her in pain. After the surgery, she went through three rounds of chemotherapy. Because the treatment was harsh and unforgiving, she lost all of her hair and had a terrifying incident in which she stopped breathing.
Through her struggle, she is always able to find a glimmer of hope and positivity. “Positivity is probably the key thing to getting through it,” Emmalea said. A big thing that keeps her going is being part of “Dancers Against Cancer,” an organization that links battles against cancer with passion for dance. They donate money through fundraisers and do everything in their power to raise awareness for young people battling cancer. Through this organization, Emmalea befriended a girl who also has ovarian cancer, and they constantly help each other through difficult times. “I met this other girl named Caitlyn. She’s 14 years old and has the same cancer as I do,” Emmalea said.
Emmalea has been an inspiration to many people through this difficult journey, especially to her friends and fellow students. “She inspires me daily with her strength to keep going even on the worst days,” Matthew Gage Middle School student Nikki Archibald said. Her positivity and bravery is to be admired, and her friends and family are inspired by it.
Even though Emmalea had her left ovary removed, she currently has a tumor in her right ovary, which may or may not be cancerous. She is scheduled for surgery by the end of January. The goal is to remove the tumor from her ovary without removing the ovary itself.
Nothing can stop Emmalea, even when it is something as traumatic as ovarian cancer. She is a fighter who never gives up, even when facing adversity. All of her struggles have made her a stronger person, and she should be looked at as an inspiration to people everywhere. Her fight against cancer is not quite over yet, but she is hopeful.