|
María Cecilia Fidalgo
Kids with cancer fight tremendous battles. The most amazing thing is that they do it with smiles, laughter and incredible bravery! Those who finish chemo and go on living their lives and those who go to heaven so young are all heros and all victors in the battle. They win because they realize that the most important thing about being a cancer kid, is being a KID!
In October 2002 María was diagnosed with high risk pre-b cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia with MLL gene rearrangement t(4;11). She underwent 28 months of chemotherapy on the CCG-1961 ser protocol and completed teatment in February 2005.
Our journey has not been easy but thanks to our friends, both old and new, it has never once been lonely. Thank you so much for checking on María's progress and signing her guestbook and map.
Thanks to the wonderful people at Quilts of Love, María now has a virtual quilt. Be sure to turn up the volume on your computer so you can hear the Spanish national anthem in the background! María's quilt
Journal
Saturday, February 19, 2005 12:48 PM GMT WOW is the best word I can think of to sum up the past few days. David brought María her VERY LAST chemo pills on Thursday night on the same little teacup saucer we always use for her nightly pills. She took the pills, chased them with a sip of water from the tea cup and then proceeded to march outside with the cup and saucer and throw them against the side of the house (yes we did tell her she could do this before). Just as they made that crashing sound against the bricks, María threw up her hands and yelled "gano yoooooooooooooooooo" which means "I win." It sounded like she was yelling "goal" if you've ever heard that yelled at a soccer match... really stretched out and very loud! David and I were not expecting that and apparently neither were the neighbors because a light quickly snapped on next door. Our sweet neighbor stuck her head out the window to find the three of us near collapsing from laughter. David yelled up to her that we were celebrating Maria taking her last chemo pill. I was afraid she was going to be irritated at the noice but she came running downstairs in her bathrobe to give María a big hug. We went back in the house afterwards and dumped all the contents of María's chemo box, into the trash. We all went to bed very late, but very happy that night.
Friday morning María had an brief off-chemo celebration with her friends at school. We took red, white and yellow frosted cupcakes to represent healthy red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. The kids had a great time getting to play hookey from their lessons. María thought that was just fantastic but it was just a warm-up for that night. Carolina, who has been Maria's best friend since about 3 days after we moved here, and her parents helped us so much getting our house ready. We had it catered with the exception of some drinks so fortunately nobody had to do much work in the kitchen. We blew up bags of balloons and just tossed them around the rooms for the kids to kick around. Just before the guests started arriving, David and Carolina's dad came in with a dozen or so helium balloons as a little surprise to María. Now you KNOW what she did with them... what any self-respecting 8 year old would do... She and Carolina sucked he helium out and amused themselves talking like chipmunks. : ) We invited friends from her school, the hospital, our neighbors, David's work collegues, my family, and a handfull of other people who have supported us so much over the past 2 years. Wiithin an hour it seemed like the house was packed. We had the stereo on for music but somebody brought a bongo drum. I will never forget the site of looking across the room and seeing my now-healthy child beating loudly on that thing while 6 adults sat around her clapping and egging her on. The misery of chemo has all been worth it.
María's crowning moment of the evening was when she got up on the table (yes, standing on the kitchen table in her stocking feet) and thanked everyone for coming. Picture dozens of flashes going off as she stood up there, like she was receiving a big award of something. It was just a fantastic night! María fell asleep on the couch as the last of the guests were leaving and for the first time in a long time, I didn't have to wake her up to give her any medicine.
I woke up this morning with a knawing though... I thought of how many doses of chemo María has had to take since October 2002 and then though of how many people have lifted us up during that time, and realized that the second list must be MUCH, MUCH longer. So this is what I've been doing all day today.
Part 1 -- An impressive list for anyone, let alone a child!
Maria's Chemo Treatments ara-c (32 doses) asparaginase (45 standard dose shots & 10 high dose infusions) cranial radiation (1800 cGys over 10 days) cytoxan (4 doses) daunorubicin (4 doses) dexamethasone (28 doses) idarubicin (4 doses) intrathecal ara-c (1 dose) intrathecal methotrexate (17 doses) mercaptopurine (364 doses) methotrexate (44 low dose IV pushes & 10 escalating dose infusions) thioguinine (28 doses) prednisone (240 doses) vincristine (41 doses)
Support Medicines (sorry, I can't count these) albumin ativan benadryl bolus fluids caffeine pills ceftriaxone clonazepam contrast dye demerol emla fluconazol freezy spray g-csf general anasthesia gentamycin heparin macrodantin magic mouthwash morphine mycelex trouche pentamidine phenergan platelets (life saving gifts from strangers) propafol senakot tpn tylenol vancomycin vitamin K white cells (life saving gifts from mommy & tía Isabel) whole blood (life saving gifts from strangers) zantac zofran zoloft
Procedures abdominal ultrasound bladder catheterization blood work (peripheral, from groshong, from port) bone marrow aspiration ct scan dental exam eye exam head mold made for radiation laproscopic surgery to remove gallbladder leukopheresis lumbar puncture mri neurocognitive assessment physical exam picc line placement and removal surgery to install double groshong line surgery to remove line & implant portacath x-rays
Part II -- all the people who've gone out of their way to make us smile since Maria was diagnosed. Yes the past 28 months have been difficult, but look at what all we've gained. Talk about counting your blessings.....
Friends both old and new Alicia & Cammie Amanda Amber & Kaidrie Amy M. (dancing with the angels) Amy & Connor Amy & Katarina Amy & Rosie Angel Anna ~ Quilts of Love Angel Chris ~ Quilts of Love Angel Gator ~ Quilts of Love Angel Jane ~ Quilts of Love Angel Moo ~ Quilts of Love (Maria thinks this name is just hilarious!) Angel Red Mist ~ Quilts of Love Angel Sky ~ Quilts of Love Angel Toto & grandson Cameron ~ Quilts of Love Angela & Christi ~ captain of the Thomas team Angela & Jessica Angelique & Harlei Anna M. Annie & Isabelle Apollo & Giovanni Apryle & Victor Ashley Audra & Keegan Becky W. Belinda & Wilson Benjamin, Paulina, Erin & Ester (dancing with the angels) ~ in Taiwan Bill H. Carine & Lindsay Carolyn ~ Quilts of Love Carrie & Leah Caryn H. Cathy & Amanda ~ ring leader of the Tate zoo Cecilia & Dustin Chris & Isabella Chris & Ronnie ~ the Gooch Cindy & Brandon Cindy & Hillary Cloe & Tarun ~ in England (you can do it Tarun!!!!) Colleen & Kaitlyn ~ in Australia Colleen & Kelsey Crochet Ma1 ~ Quilts of Love| Dana S. Darlene & Christopher Darlene & Parker Dawn & Tommy DeAnna & Chase Deborah & Caleb Donna & Molly Donna M. ~ angel Marcus' friend Doris G. ~ Amanda G's grandma Duffy & Sammy Edie ~ from Germany living in the US Elizabeth & Adam Elizabeth & Tyson Elizabeth & Vanessa Emmie & Maggie Erin Freda, Laura & Stevie Ray ~ in Canada Gary & Ashley George & Noelle Gina & baby Nathan ~ who really isn't a baby anymore but will always be 'baby Nathan' to me Gloria & Maximillian ~ in England Iliana & Tyler Island Princess ~ Quilts of Love Jack & Colby (dancing with the angels) Jacob Jacqueline ~ in the Caymen Islands (can we come visit? lol) James & 'auntie' Allison C. Jamie G. Jan & Colin Janet & Nettie Janice ~ Andrew's grandma Janice & Girlie Lew (dancing with the angels) ~ in Australia Jean ~ Quilts of Love Jeanette & Jalen (dancing with the angels) Jenna Jennifer ~ Lighting Children's Lives Jill & Alex Jill & daughter Joana & Marcia ~ our Portuguese friends Joane ~ in Hong Kong Jodie & Lindsay Joy & Abby Judy & Karl Karen Karen & Clare Karin & Christine Kathi & Melanie Kathie Kathy Katie & sweet little Hunter Katie, Jacques & Ian Kelley & Lindsay Kelly & little miss Sofia Maria Kelsey Keri & Katie Rose Kevin Khalita Kim & Andrew Kim & Hannah Kim & Kody Kim & Mr. Nicky Kristi Kristy & Kendrie Laura & Colton Laura & Dani Lillie & Carter Linda & Bram Linda & Ray ~ Connor's grandparents Linda P. ~ Amanda T's aunt Lisa, Brian & Kevin ~ brothers beating leukemia Lisa & Ross Lisa A. Lisa R. Liz & Manda Lola & Julia Lori Anne & Amanda Lorraine & John Machaelle Machelle & Elizabeth Mandy & Ramin Marey & Ali Mariah A. Martha Mary & Alex Mason Brown family Monica M. Michael (aka Miguel) & Andy Mikie & Emily Nancy & Ashley Jeane Nancy & Matthew Nancy & Tanner Nicole S. Nightowl ~ svnoi uguku Pat & Isaiah Peggy ~ Melanie's grandma Phyllis Rachel Regia & the beautiful Sarah (dancing with the angels) ~ in Brazil Regina & Madie ~ the Wild Girl Rhonda & Carter (dancing with the angels) Ros ~ Tino's grandma Rose ~ in Brazil Rushell, Shauna, Tuesdey & Davin (dancing with the angels) Ruthie & Seth (dancing with the angels) Ruttinger Family Sabrina ~ in Italy Sam & Aaryn ~ Maria's future husband Samantha Sara & Austin Sarah & Patrick Sergio, Rachel & Arianna Sheila & Nick Stacey & Chad Stacy & Kayla Steph & Josh Stephanie & RachelJoy Susan, Mike & Rebekah Susan & Katie ~ in Canada Susan & Sarah Beth Tamsin & Tino ~ in Gibraltar... someday we must take Maria for a visit! Teresa & Alex Teresa & Marcus (dancing with the angels) ~ in Canada Terry ~ angel Jaden's grandma Terry & Julianna Banana ~ in Canada Terry & Linus Tim H. Tina & Karlee-Ann Tracy & Katia Trisha & Noah Ursula & cute little Alexia ~ from Argentina Valerie & Serena Vicki & daughter Vicki & Duncan Vicki & Nathaniel Vicks ~ PostalPals & Bears Who Care Yelena, Pavel & Dmitry
Family cousin Angela cousin Blair cousin Blake grandpa David aunt LeAnna uncle Michael cousin Nina cousin Rachel uncle Robert grandma Rose
These are just the people who have signed Maria's guestbook and/or map. I started this journal to keep our friends in the US updated on Maria (and my how that list has grown!). Beyond this, we have had such great support from our friends in Spain. Most I don't think have ever seen this page but I thought they deserved special mention anyway!
Friends (both old and new) Alberto G. Alberto L. Alex Ana Antonio C. Antonio R. Carlos Carmen Carolina Celia Clara Claudia Concepción Cristina & Rafael ~ 'el oso' Guillermo Ines José José Eduardo Juan M. Juan R. Juan T. Karla Manolo Manuel María & Sergio María Ángeles María Eugenia María Pura María Victoria Mariana Marisa Miguel Ángel Natalia Paloma Paola Patricia Pilar Rocio Rosa Santi Sofia & Elena Silvia & Anna ~ from Italy Tatiana
Family tío Alberto tía Ana Belén tía Angelina primo Armando abuela AveMaria (dancing with the angels.... we miss you so much) prima Candela primo Cristian tía Elena abuelo José tía Lili tía Isabel tío Marco primo Miguel primo Luís tío Roberto primo Xavier
Special Thanks to Caringbridge the ASION organization all the staff at the hospital infantil niño Jesús
**please forgive me if I've forgotten anyone's name.
with lots of love and gratitude, Ava, David & María
Read Journal History
Hospital Information: Hospital infantil niño Jesús c/ Menendez Pelayo, 65 28009 Madrid, España (Spain)
Links: http://www.asion.org/ Asociación Infantil Oncológica de la Comunidad de Madrid http://www.3dflags.com Free flags for your website http://www.sharethelove.org Here you will find a listing of websites for children battling serious illness. Please visit and offer some encouragement. We want to ensure that NOBODY GOES THROUGH THIS ALONE!
|
|