The Superior Express -

An update on 2 year old Luna Jean Combs continuing battle with cancer. After six chemo treatments and a liver transplant on Oct. 9, 2022, Luna was declared "cancer free" by her medical team in Omaha. Her family celebrated the news that she had won the battle against Hepatoblastoma liver cancer.

In the following months she was in and out of University of Nebraska Medical Center and Children's Hospital with various infections, high fevers, high heart rate, blood transfusions, respiratory problems and other health issues but was able to be at home some of the time.

Jan. 6, she was taken by ambulance from Bryan Hospital in Lincoln and admitted to University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. During this hospitalization she was fighting the same various infections and health issues, and was in and out of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (CPICU). She had surgery to remove her infected port.

After a PET scan on Feb. 1, she was diagnosed with Post Transplant Lymphoproliferacative Disorder (PTLD), a rare cancer caused by her liver transplant. The family was shocked.

Her mother said, "This tiny human is the definition of strong! She is still laughing and playing when she feels up to it. She has beat liver cancer, had a major surgery to get a new liver, takes her meds like a champ, had infection after infection, and it doesn't stop her. With this new diagnosis of Post Transplant Lymphoproliferactive Disorder, I will admit I'm scared, but the strength this little girl shows day in and day out eases the nerves."

On Jan. 27, she had a tonsillectomy caused by the PTLD and one week later on Feb. 2, she had another emergency surgery because she was leaking into her abdomen caused by a perforated bowel. They found a mass and a hole in her small intestine and re-sectioned two areas, also caused by the PTLD. After surgery they found a blood clot near her heart.

She was admitted the first time to Children's Hospital on Aug. 1, 2022. Since then she has had three major surgeries in three months, six chemo treatments, in and out of UNMC, Children's Hospital and the PICU for long periods of time and is starting another six chemo treatments to fight PTLD, a second cancer. This has been a seven month long journey and is far from over.

Her parents and family are physically, emotionally, mentally and financially devastated, but she is a fierce warrior and continues to fight back with a smile on her face.

Her family expresses heartfelt thanks to everyone for the continuing positive thoughts, prayers, support and generosity shown.

Luna is the daughter of Mikey and Courtnee Combs, granddaughter of Michael and Angel Combs and Carmen Dibbern and great-granddaughter of Mike Combs and Betty Butler of Superior.