Welcome to LucyStrong Blast page!
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I am fundraising for The Blast – a 5k walk that brings out-of-this-world care close to home for kids battling cancer at Cook Children’s! Join my team to walk with us on April 6 at Panther Island Pavilion, or make a donation to support our cause. Your donation makes a difference as we #blastawaycancer! We would love for family and friends to come join us.
Prior to receiving her diagnosis, Lucy led the life of a typical three-year-old. She eagerly attended preschool, relished in playful playdates, and delighted in sleepovers with her beloved cousins. In the evenings, she enthusiastically engaged in nighttime soccer sessions and dance parties, showcasing her boundless energy as she ran, jumped, and frolicked alongside her older brother Leo, who was five years old when Lucy herself was merely three.
Lucy and her older brother, Leo, were well acquainted with the word "cancer" due to the recent battles their grandmother, great aunt, uncle, and other loved ones had faced or were currently enduring. The concept of isolation was not foreign to these young siblings, as they had grown up wearing masks during the worldwide pandemic to protect their loved ones.
In the busy week of October 2021, filled with career obligations and a full social calendar for the first time in years, Lucy suddenly fell ill with a fever. Her fever persisted and escalated over the weekend. Monday morning was a school holiday. Joey left to go through HR at his new job. I noticed a spot on her nose. I thought it might be a staph infection, so I made an appointment with the pediatrician who then referred us for a blood test. As Lucy hopped off the pediatrician's table, she complained of leg pain, which seemed plausible for a three-year-old who had been unwell for the past few days. Then, when she stepped outside, the sun pained her. We went to Cook Children’s Hospital Dodson Clinic and got a complete blood panel. They started her on an antibiotic for potential staph or any other possible infection. However, her fever continued throughout the night, and the next morning she woke up unable to walk, mentioning discomfort in her backside. She literally could not sit up in bed.
With Joey just starting his first official day at the new job, I called and asked him to come home and take us to the emergency room. Lucy was immobile, and after a few hours, we were informed that she might have a bone disease requiring surgery. Shortly after, the results from the blood test taken the day before confirmed her undeniable cancer diagnosis, and an oncologist and grief counselor would soon discuss her diagnosis with us.
Our world came to a screeching halt, as if time itself had frozen. How could a three-year-old possibly have cancer? At first, we couldn't believe it. Denial washed over us like a wave, but deep down, we knew we had to take immediate action.
The next day, on October 14, 2021, Lucy was under anesthesia for the first of many times, for the placement of her port, bone marrow aspiration, and Intrathecal Chemotherapy (IT LP). We were in a haze of acronyms when the research nurse approached us. Her role was to present to us the “roadmaps'' for leukemia treatment. Two different trials that had been extensively tested. After careful consideration, we chose the Children's Oncology Group, St Baldricks Research. We were given a roadmap and told Lucy would undergo 27 months of treatment for B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. We had a plan we felt would help us regain a tiny bit of control in our lives. The first eight months of the treatment roadmap includes intense treatments and total hair loss. This would be followed by a maintenance phase of daily chemotherapy, medication, and steroid pulses. Precautionary measures to prevent infections became our new norm.
We spent the next 10 days in the hospital, witnessing our precious girl endure unimaginable pain. Strapped to a bed, forced to not eat, and injected with life-saving yet toxic medications, it was pure torture. Due to COVID-19 restrictions at the hospital, our five-year-old son couldn’t come up to Lucy’s room. We had to turn to our family and friends who took turns looking after him and supporting us. Without their unwavering presence, we couldn't have navigated this treacherous journey.
During Lucy's hospital stay, she faced life-threatening infections that kept her hospitalized for nearly two months. Halloween and Thanksgiving passed by, and it wasn't until just before Christmas break that she was finally discharged.
Despite the hardships, Lucy found solace in playing pranks on the nurses and even on mommy and daddy. The moments that brought her the most joy were the art therapy sessions, music therapy, and the visits from the child life therapist and therapy dogs who provided comfort and companionship during those dark days.
After a challenging journey, with many switchbacks as we hiked this mountainous roadmap, Lucy finally returned to full-time preschool in the fall of 2022. The incredible teachers and friends she found there became her pillars of support as she navigated the next phase of her treatments. They understood that she needed flexibility, allowing her to attend school when she felt well enough and encouraging her to embrace her childhood and feel safe once again.
Although Lucy was still prone to infections and susceptible to illnesses like any other preschooler, she faced additional risks. Any sign of a fever meant an immediate trip to the hospital. Throughout her preschool year, this happened multiple times, yet Lucy's determination never wavered. She refused to miss a day of school, always eager to play, learn, and grow. Each day became a precious gift, and if she felt well enough, she seized it with boundless joy in her heart.
Now in kindergarten, Lucy attends the Texas School of the Arts, a place where she can pursue her love for the arts while continuing to grow and learn alongside her peers.
On January 19, 2024, she rang the bell, signifying the end of her cancer treatment. Our prayers and hopes are that she will continue to thrive, remaining strong, healthy, and prosperous, living a life free from cancer's grip.
As we embark on the next stage of Lucy's journey, we are acutely aware that our fight against childhood cancer is far from over. Our hearts ache for the countless children who continue to battle this devastating disease and for those who lost their lives. We yearn for a future where they can receive treatments that not only save their lives but also minimize the lifelong symptoms and side effects that often accompany traditional therapies.
We refuse to accept the status quo. We believe that every child deserves targeted care that addresses their unique needs and circumstances. We advocate for increased research and funding to support innovative approaches and breakthroughs in childhood cancer treatment. It is our hope that these efforts will lead to more effective, less toxic treatments that offer improved outcomes and quality of life for these brave little warriors.
We are not alone in this fight. We join forces with other families, organizations, and medical professionals who share our passion and commitment to finding better solutions. Together, we raise our voices, spreading awareness and advocating for change. We strive to create a world where childhood cancer is no longer a life sentence, where every child can experience the joy and wonder of a healthy, vibrant future.
Our journey with Lucy has opened our eyes to the tremendous strength and resilience of these young fighters and their families. They inspire us to push forward, to never give up in our pursuit of a cure. We stand united, determined to make a difference in the lives of children battling cancer. We know that by working together, we can create a brighter, healthier future for them all.
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