Shelby Twp. my mother’s faith in a second opinion brings the joy of a third child – Macomb Daily

Donna Zakar of Shelby Township holds her seven-month-old daughter Alexa Mary. She always wanted three children, but was afraid it wouldn’t happen until she met Corewell Health gynecologist-oncologist Dr. Zaid Al Wahab, who devised a plan that improved her health and made it possible to have baby number three. GINA JOSEPH – THE MACOMB DAILY

Mother’s Day will be truly special this year, not only for Donna Zakar but also for her husband Sinan and their children Zachary, 13, and Valencia, 10, who are all in love with the newest member of the family.

Little Alexa Mary was born on October 19, 2023.

“She brought us so much joy,” Zakar said.

Even Sinan, who was content with a boy and a girl, has marveled at the impact this beautiful little girl with big brown eyes and curly hair has had on their lives. Zachary is a big brother and Valencia has the sister she always wanted.

‘They’re holding her. They feed her. They just love her,” added Zakar, who always wanted three children but feared that might not happen.

She and Sinan lived in Sterling Heights, but as their children grew older they could tell they had outgrown their ranch, so they moved to a new home in Shelby Township that had twice as much space. It was also at this point in their lives that they decided to try for baby No. 3.

Zakar previously had no problems getting pregnant. But this time it was different.

She had severe cramps before the start of her menstrual cycle. Some were so bad that she had to excuse herself outside the school where she worked as a lunch mom during recess so she could sit down.

“I knew there was a problem,” Zakar said. “I’ve never had that before.”

Her gynecologists recommended a surgical procedure to remove tissue from the uterus (D&C) and during the surgery a precancerous polyp was identified and removed. She then contacted a gynecologist oncologist hoping for a plan to continue, but was instead told to stop trying.

“When I saw the specialist, I said we were trying to have another child, but he said it was too dangerous,” Zakar said, recalling her disappointment. “It’s not good for you. You shouldn’t take any risks.”

Yet that was always her intention.

“I knew in my head that I wanted to do it and I had faith that it would happen,” she said.

So she and Sinan sought a second opinion and eventually met with Zaid Al-Wahab, MD, a gynecologic oncologist at Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital in Royal Oak. Al-Wahab came up with a plan not only to improve her health, but also her chances of having a baby.

“He didn’t make it seem scary or risky. He was very confident and reassuring,” Zakar said of the specialist who followed a regiment that included a second surgery and hormone medications to re-regulate her cycle.

That was in April 2022.

The following January, her doctor told her with great certainty that she was in good condition.

“There is a lot of hope,” he said. “You can take four months to try to get pregnant. But then we have to remove your uterus to prevent cancer.’

To most, that seems like an impossible task, but Zakar has never given up hope. Even her daughter prayed for a sister and a month later their prayers were answered.

She was pregnant.

“At first we kept it a secret,” said Zakar, who chose to tell their children and the rest of the family after a planned trip to Mexico.

However, her son knew something was up when his father kept insisting on carrying the bags and suitcases. When they got home, Zakar shared the news with her children by presenting them with T-shirts announcing their new roles: Big Brother and Big Sister.

“I knew it,” Zacharty told his mother when he heard the news. ‘You didn’t carry the luggage during our holiday. That has always been our job. We always do that together.”

Now Zachary and everyone else in the family takes care of Alexa.

“I feel great. I feel like my life is complete and that my daughter has the sister she always wanted,” says Zakar, who hopes her story will provide hope to other women facing similar obstacles “Other doctors really scared us. But Dr. Al-Wahab gave us hope.”

“As surgeons, we are not always able to make patients’ dreams come true,” says Al-Wahab. “But Donna and Sinan were committed to their goal of having a third child, followed instructions closely and were an absolute pleasure to work with. I am happy to say that we have been able to preserve her fertility and prevent pre-cancer and cancer.”

“Donna really feels called to help other women facing similar challenges,” Al-Wahab added. “She wants to raise hope.”