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Assisting children and families affected by cancer.
#BellaStrong
"Our Bella is with Jesus and - through His Spirit - Jesus is in us, so there is a direct connection between Bella and us. Until we see Bella in Heaven, we are connected with her through the Holy Spirit."
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December 28, 2016 - April 9, 2019
Bella's Birth Day
Bellaboo, as we would call her, was born a healthy and perfect baby girl on a cold December day. Bella was the youngest child and only girl. She brought so much joy to the family.
Diagnosis Day
August 17, 2017 at the age of 7 months, Bella's parents took Bella to their local emergency hospital in Laredo, TX for what they thought could be dehydration and a common cold. After a few studies and blood work, ER doctor notified parents that Bella had to be transferred immediately to a specialized pediatric oncology hospital in San Antonio, TX. Upon arrival at Methodist Children's, pediatric oncology doctors confirmed and gave parents the devastating news that their only daughter had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
Treatment
Bella did inpatient treatment for about 9 months that consisted of several rounds of chemotherapy, lumbar puncture procedures, blood transfusions, steroids, and many more medications. Bella spent most holidays at the hospital including her 1st and 2nd Birthday. She took her first steps, learned her new words and everything a toddler should learn in hospital setting. Methodist Children's Hospital became her home away from home and the nurses and medical staff became her family. Hospital life became Bella's norm.
Happy Day
Bella chemotherapy treatment was working. Bone marrow biopsies showed no signs of leukemia. She was considered in remission and was able to return home.
Sad Day
After 5 months of enjoying life at home, still in treatment and with weekly visits to her oncologist for checkups, one day parents once again received devastating news. The leukemia was back, and this time not only was chemotherapy part of her treatment protocol, but Bella needed a bone marrow transplant.
The Waiting
Bella's doctors had to look into the national bone marrow registry to find a potential donor/match. After searching, 5 potential donors were found. Bella endured an intensive treatment, to prepare her for her transplant. Bella never went into remission, so a bone marrow transplant could not take place.
Car-T Therapy
Unfortunately, the leukemia kept coming back. Relapse after relapse. There was nothing more doctors at Methodist could do for her. We reach out to several hospitals around Texas and even Tennessee. Bella ended up going to Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, TX to try the last treatment option.
March 22, 2019
Bella coded 2 days after arriving at Texas Children's Hospital. The medical team was able to bring her back and stabilize her. She was then transferred to the pediatric intensive care unit where she was heavily sedated. In between that time, doctors treated numerous infections she developed and tried to collect cells for the treatment Bella had gone for in the first place.
April 5, 2019
2 weeks later, parents got the news that the cells collected were not enough. The leukemia had grown so much and more aggressive that Bella's organs stopped functioning properly.
April 8, 2019
Bella was airlifted back "home." Parents decided they wanted to take Bella back to Methodist to spend her last moments close to family.
April 9, 2019
The gates of Heaven opened and beautiful Bella entered the kingdom of God. She gained her angel wings at the age of 2.
Bella despite the pain and suffering she went through she did not give up. In the midst of her battle, she always kept her big smile. Very affectionate, ambitious and joyful little girl. Always spreading love and kindness to everyone. Bella has been an inspiration to many. She taught us the true definition of Faith in Christ.