On January 19, 2021, Maddie was diagnosed with hepatoblastoma – liver cancer. Maddie, Bibi, and Trevor are at Rady’s Children’s Hospital while she undergoes treatment. Treatment will consist of chemotherapy to shrink the tumors, followed by either liver resection (hopefully) or liver transplant, followed by more chemotherapy to destroy any cancer cells that remain. They will probably transfer Maddie to another facility (Children’s Hospital Los Angeles or Stanford are the top contenders) for the best possible surgeon. Maddie has a long road, but cure rates are high for this type of childhood cancer.

Any of you who know Bibi know that you can ask her 100 times what you can do to help and she will tell you nothing. She will not ask. As an oncology nurse practitioner and Bibi’s friend since junior high school, I have good insight into what they do not know they will need. I convinced her to let me help in this way and I convinced her that people will feel better if she lets them help and gives them some concrete way to do so.

Any of you who know the Fells know that they are so devoted to helping others. So many of you have been touched by their kindness and generosity. Let’s overwhelm them with love.

Trevor will not leave Maddie’s side for even one minute. He is staying at the hospital 24/7 while Bibi drives back and forth to their home to be with Izzy and Lex, do laundry (everything has to be impeccably clean and washed frequently), and continues to run her law practice. Together, we can lift some of the burden the Fells will bear.

The Fells are asking for (1) prayer; (2) insight into the best liver cancer surgeon.

I am coordinating gifts so that they get a steady stream of practical gifts over the next many months. So many of the resources available to them at Rady’s are funded by donation – family psychologists, child life counselors for healthy siblings, hospital meals. The Fells feel strongly that every penny that does not go directly to Maddie’s care, freeing them up to care for Maddie, or lifting Maddie’s spirits, will be donated to Rady’s Children’s Hospital’s Hematology/Oncology Department – presented by Maddie when she is victorious in this battle.

Here are the things I know I will coordinate:

- A small gift for Maddie every few days to lift her spirits and serve as a reward after procedures, rough days, side effects, and to get her to take daily walks out of her hospital bed. Each gift will be accompanied by a card with a message from each person who donates for Maddie – leave your desired message in the comments. Gifts and cards will trickle in over the course of her entire treatment. When many young cancer survivors are asked what they remember about having cancer, they say, “lots of presents!” Let’s leave Maddie with that memory. This will also allow me to coordinate gifts so Maddie does not get the same gift from multiple people.
- Gifts for Maddie’s 5th birthday on February 6. Bibi and Trevor want her birthday to still be special but cannot shop for or plan anything.
- Uber Eats gift card for Isabel and Alexa so Bibi and Trevor don’t have to worry about their meals.
- A debit card for hospital parking and cafeteria food.
- A laundry service to take that daily burden off Bibi’s plate.
- Medical transport (if needed) to the best facility for Maddie’s ultimate surgery.
- Hotel for Bibi and Trevor during surgery. (Because of Covid, they cannot both stay at the hospital.)
- Ultimately, a gift from Maddie to Rady’s that she can present to the staff that has cared for her.

Bibi and Trevor want me to emphasize that this website is only for those of you who love Maddie and feel that you must do something but don’t know what to do. Please do not feel any pressure to give. Your prayers and presence are all they are asking for.

Kind Regards,
Joanna Agena