Mikey Leija Jr's Cancer Expense
Donation protected
Michael Leija Jr was diagnosed January 21, 2016 with brain cancer (Mixed Germ Cell Tumor). Michael (Mikey) is only 10 years old. He is the son of Michael and Valerie Leija, he is a lively bright caring happy go lucky gentleman.
I am starting this fund in his honor, I am the Godmother to one of his younger sisters. I have known Mikey since he was growing inside his mother's womb, Valerie (Val). I have been one of Val's best friends for several years and I have seen Mikey grow and mature into the wonderful soul he is.
I'll begin with how they caught his cancer, a little history on him since he's barely 10 and hasn't experienced a full life yet, and his treatments.
He had told his mother days before being diagnosed that he was suffering from headaches. Both Mike and Val felt something wasn't right and took him to the local ER. There they told her that there was something unusual in his CT scan and that they would need to medically transfer him to another hospital over 150 miles away. He arrived in San Antonio's Methodist Children's Hospital on January 19, 2016 at 9pm with his father. For the next few days they ran more tests on him and discovered that his brain tumor was inoperable because of its location. They were fortunately able to drain some of the built up fluid that was causing the headaches with a difficult and very slow surgical procedure. Entering first from the top right side of his scalp traveling downward along his cranium, entering through his eye socket, moving downward still to reach the base of his head, traveling back up towards the center of his brain to reach the tumor and alleviate some of the pressure.
Mikey, up until his diagnoses was a perfect attendance student, loves the San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Cowboys, Wrestling, swimming, hanging out with his friends, and cracking jokes. He has two younger sisters, Maddie 6 years old and Meg 18 months, and he is very excited that his mom is expecting another baby.
His first round of chemotherapy was February 4, 2016 at Methodist Children’s Hospital where he will go through 18-20 weeks of chemo treatment before going to MD Anderson for radiation. Since Val is pregnant she isn’t able to be with him at all times nor will she be able to be around him for several days at a time once he begins radiation.
This fund is to help pay for not only his medical bills but for all the expenses that are quickly mounting up for the family. Val and Mike both have to miss work to travel the 300 miles round trip for each treatment, and stay a few days at a time in San Antonio away from their family.
I am starting this fund in his honor, I am the Godmother to one of his younger sisters. I have known Mikey since he was growing inside his mother's womb, Valerie (Val). I have been one of Val's best friends for several years and I have seen Mikey grow and mature into the wonderful soul he is.
I'll begin with how they caught his cancer, a little history on him since he's barely 10 and hasn't experienced a full life yet, and his treatments.
He had told his mother days before being diagnosed that he was suffering from headaches. Both Mike and Val felt something wasn't right and took him to the local ER. There they told her that there was something unusual in his CT scan and that they would need to medically transfer him to another hospital over 150 miles away. He arrived in San Antonio's Methodist Children's Hospital on January 19, 2016 at 9pm with his father. For the next few days they ran more tests on him and discovered that his brain tumor was inoperable because of its location. They were fortunately able to drain some of the built up fluid that was causing the headaches with a difficult and very slow surgical procedure. Entering first from the top right side of his scalp traveling downward along his cranium, entering through his eye socket, moving downward still to reach the base of his head, traveling back up towards the center of his brain to reach the tumor and alleviate some of the pressure.
Mikey, up until his diagnoses was a perfect attendance student, loves the San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Cowboys, Wrestling, swimming, hanging out with his friends, and cracking jokes. He has two younger sisters, Maddie 6 years old and Meg 18 months, and he is very excited that his mom is expecting another baby.
His first round of chemotherapy was February 4, 2016 at Methodist Children’s Hospital where he will go through 18-20 weeks of chemo treatment before going to MD Anderson for radiation. Since Val is pregnant she isn’t able to be with him at all times nor will she be able to be around him for several days at a time once he begins radiation.
This fund is to help pay for not only his medical bills but for all the expenses that are quickly mounting up for the family. Val and Mike both have to miss work to travel the 300 miles round trip for each treatment, and stay a few days at a time in San Antonio away from their family.
Organizer and beneficiary
Lina Earles
Organizer
Laredo, TX
Valerie Leija
Beneficiary
