Prayers for Mia Elena
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My name is Tawny Jewett and I am a good friend of Mia's mom, Tara. The evening Mia was admitted to the Children's Hospital of San Antonio, I had the opportunity to visit overnight and spend time with Mia. From that moment, I knew I wanted to do something to help this little girl that is very dear to my heart. This page can allow others to help too. I decided to create this GoFundMe page to allow people like YOU to donate to Mia and her family. Your generous donations will allow Mia to receive the best medical attention during her treatmant plan. All donations made on this site go directly to Mia and her parents, Mario and Tara. Thank you so much for all of your support. Your donations will make a huge difference, and all of those that love her could not be more thankful for you!
About Mia:
Mia Elena was born on February 26, 2011 at 6:42 am, weighing 6.8 pounds and 19.5 inches long to first time parents Mario and Tara. Mia means my beloved, and Elena means shining light, so she is Our Beloved Shining Light.
On March 12th 2015, just two weeks after her 4th birthday, Mia was diagnosed with Leukemia...
Mia's Diagnois and Treatment Plan:
On Monday, February 16th, Mia developed a fever of 102 which went on for three days. It went away for a day but returned along with vomiting. On Friday, February 20th, Mia spiked a fever of 102.8 with a dry cough. Within an hour, her temp went up to 103.8. Tylenol or Motrin would not help. I took her into the pediatrician where she was diagnosed with Flu B and Pneumonia. She was prescribed Tamiflu and an antibiotic that she took for 7 days which did not help at all. Her fever remained for another week along with a dry cough and her skin color was so pale.
On Thursday, February 26th, the actual day of Mia's birthday, she was acting strange. She didn't want to talk or play and just wanted to sleep. She had a small get together at Chuck E Cheese with family and close friends and had no interest in playing or eating. She did not have a fever at this time but she was shivering and her pale coloring was getting worse.
I took her back into the pediatrician on Friday, February 27th. I was told that the flu and pneumonia just hit her really hard and to give it time. She was sent home.
A week went by and on Sunday, March 8th, Mia spiked a random fever of 101.5 and was so lethargic that she was even falling asleep at the table. My mom and I had been saying something was wrong with her almost every day because of her lethargic behavior but really decided that night that something was seriously wrong and we needed answers.
The earliest appointment available at the pediatrician was for Tuesday, March 10th. My mom and I took her into the office where everyone including strangers noticed her pale coloring. I expressed to the doctor "this is not my child, something has to be wrong". The doctor decided that she needed blood work to be done since he could not pin point anything apparently wrong by his assessment. Blood was taken that very same day but unfortunately the nurse did not collect an adequate amount.
On Wednesday, March 11th she was taken back to LabCorp for another blood draw.
At 6pm that Wednesday night, the pediatrician called and told me that they wanted to redraw Mia because the blood results of the second blood draw showed severe anemia. The pediatrician advised that we take her to the Children's Hospital immediately for further testing.
At 730pm that Wednesday night, Mia arrived to the ER where an IV was started and blood was drawn. Within an hour, the ER doctor came in saying that Mia was needing to be admitted to the Hematology/Oncology unit that night and that her HEMONC physician was on his was to look at her lab results and to see what kind of cells he can see on the microscope.
Within an hour of being admitted, we were told that she was going to need a blood transfusion, platelet transfusion, and would have a bone marrow biopsy the next morning since the doctor saw some abnormal leukemic-looking cells under the microscope. Her hemoglobin count was 4 (normal is 11-13) so she revived a blood transfusion throughout the night.
The morning of March 12th was the last morning that we thought we had a perfectly healthy child. She was taken into a procedure room for a bone marrow biopsy where she was put under general anesthesia.
Around 2pm that same day, Mario and I were pulled into an empty room and were told that 70% of our child's bone marrow was invaded by leukemic cells and that she had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Mia's dad and I literally fell to the floor in tears. We couldn't believe it. Our little girl had cancer. We held each other, closed our eyes, and prayed that it was just a dream. (Days later and we are still trying to wake up from this nightmare.)
Mia's platelet count was 55 (normal is 150-300) so she received a platelet transfusion throughout the night to prevent bleeding during her surgery planned for the next morning.
The next morning on Friday March 13th, Mia was taken into surgery where she was put under general anesthesia, was intubated, and a central port was placed in the lower right chest area. At the same time, they also performed a lumbar puncture to test the spinal fluid to see if leukemic cells were present in the brain and spinal column. Her first dose of chemotherapy was administered into the intrathecal space during her lumbar puncture. (Leukemia likes to hide in the spinal column and brain so she will get a few doses intrathecally during her treatment). The next day on Saturday, March 14th we got such joyous news that her spinal fluid came back negative for leukemia!
The plan for Mia is to have chemotherapy for the next 2 1/2 years. We will have to return to the children's hospital every few days for outpatient chemotherapy for the next 29 days. Anytime she spikes a fever of 101.5 or above, we head straight the the ER at the children's hospital immediately.
Since Leukemia invades the white blood cells, which are infection fighting agents of the body, Mia is at risk for infection and possibly sepsis if not treated in time. Extra precautions will have to be taken at times of neutropenia to keep her free of infection and free of admission to the hospital. The long road to a full recovery has only just begun.
Mario, Mia, and I can't believe the amount of prayers, support, love, and donations that everyone has given us. It is so uplifting and so amazing. We can't believe it. It's such a blessing to us to not have to worry as much about expenses. We love you all and are incredibly appreciative of each and every one of you! Thank you so so so much from the bottom of our hearts!
With love,
Tara, Mario and Mia
Please join us in being Mia's prayer warriors! She has a long journey ahead, but the family is filled with faith, hope and optimism. "With God, all things are possible." Mia is strong, #MiaStrong, and she can conquer anything!
If you would like additional updates on Mia's condition and treatment, please LIKE her page at: https://www.facebook.com/prayersformiaelena
If you would like support Mia in other ways, please check out Mia's website at: http://prayformiaelena.weebly.com
PLEASE continue to lift up Mia and her family in prayer!
THANK YOU ALL for your love, support and prayers!!!
#MiaStrong
#PrayForMiaElena
#EndChildhoodCancer
#LeukemiaSucks
About Mia:
Mia Elena was born on February 26, 2011 at 6:42 am, weighing 6.8 pounds and 19.5 inches long to first time parents Mario and Tara. Mia means my beloved, and Elena means shining light, so she is Our Beloved Shining Light.
On March 12th 2015, just two weeks after her 4th birthday, Mia was diagnosed with Leukemia...
Mia's Diagnois and Treatment Plan:
On Monday, February 16th, Mia developed a fever of 102 which went on for three days. It went away for a day but returned along with vomiting. On Friday, February 20th, Mia spiked a fever of 102.8 with a dry cough. Within an hour, her temp went up to 103.8. Tylenol or Motrin would not help. I took her into the pediatrician where she was diagnosed with Flu B and Pneumonia. She was prescribed Tamiflu and an antibiotic that she took for 7 days which did not help at all. Her fever remained for another week along with a dry cough and her skin color was so pale.
On Thursday, February 26th, the actual day of Mia's birthday, she was acting strange. She didn't want to talk or play and just wanted to sleep. She had a small get together at Chuck E Cheese with family and close friends and had no interest in playing or eating. She did not have a fever at this time but she was shivering and her pale coloring was getting worse.
I took her back into the pediatrician on Friday, February 27th. I was told that the flu and pneumonia just hit her really hard and to give it time. She was sent home.
A week went by and on Sunday, March 8th, Mia spiked a random fever of 101.5 and was so lethargic that she was even falling asleep at the table. My mom and I had been saying something was wrong with her almost every day because of her lethargic behavior but really decided that night that something was seriously wrong and we needed answers.
The earliest appointment available at the pediatrician was for Tuesday, March 10th. My mom and I took her into the office where everyone including strangers noticed her pale coloring. I expressed to the doctor "this is not my child, something has to be wrong". The doctor decided that she needed blood work to be done since he could not pin point anything apparently wrong by his assessment. Blood was taken that very same day but unfortunately the nurse did not collect an adequate amount.
On Wednesday, March 11th she was taken back to LabCorp for another blood draw.
At 6pm that Wednesday night, the pediatrician called and told me that they wanted to redraw Mia because the blood results of the second blood draw showed severe anemia. The pediatrician advised that we take her to the Children's Hospital immediately for further testing.
At 730pm that Wednesday night, Mia arrived to the ER where an IV was started and blood was drawn. Within an hour, the ER doctor came in saying that Mia was needing to be admitted to the Hematology/Oncology unit that night and that her HEMONC physician was on his was to look at her lab results and to see what kind of cells he can see on the microscope.
Within an hour of being admitted, we were told that she was going to need a blood transfusion, platelet transfusion, and would have a bone marrow biopsy the next morning since the doctor saw some abnormal leukemic-looking cells under the microscope. Her hemoglobin count was 4 (normal is 11-13) so she revived a blood transfusion throughout the night.
The morning of March 12th was the last morning that we thought we had a perfectly healthy child. She was taken into a procedure room for a bone marrow biopsy where she was put under general anesthesia.
Around 2pm that same day, Mario and I were pulled into an empty room and were told that 70% of our child's bone marrow was invaded by leukemic cells and that she had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Mia's dad and I literally fell to the floor in tears. We couldn't believe it. Our little girl had cancer. We held each other, closed our eyes, and prayed that it was just a dream. (Days later and we are still trying to wake up from this nightmare.)
Mia's platelet count was 55 (normal is 150-300) so she received a platelet transfusion throughout the night to prevent bleeding during her surgery planned for the next morning.
The next morning on Friday March 13th, Mia was taken into surgery where she was put under general anesthesia, was intubated, and a central port was placed in the lower right chest area. At the same time, they also performed a lumbar puncture to test the spinal fluid to see if leukemic cells were present in the brain and spinal column. Her first dose of chemotherapy was administered into the intrathecal space during her lumbar puncture. (Leukemia likes to hide in the spinal column and brain so she will get a few doses intrathecally during her treatment). The next day on Saturday, March 14th we got such joyous news that her spinal fluid came back negative for leukemia!
The plan for Mia is to have chemotherapy for the next 2 1/2 years. We will have to return to the children's hospital every few days for outpatient chemotherapy for the next 29 days. Anytime she spikes a fever of 101.5 or above, we head straight the the ER at the children's hospital immediately.
Since Leukemia invades the white blood cells, which are infection fighting agents of the body, Mia is at risk for infection and possibly sepsis if not treated in time. Extra precautions will have to be taken at times of neutropenia to keep her free of infection and free of admission to the hospital. The long road to a full recovery has only just begun.
Mario, Mia, and I can't believe the amount of prayers, support, love, and donations that everyone has given us. It is so uplifting and so amazing. We can't believe it. It's such a blessing to us to not have to worry as much about expenses. We love you all and are incredibly appreciative of each and every one of you! Thank you so so so much from the bottom of our hearts!
With love,
Tara, Mario and Mia
Please join us in being Mia's prayer warriors! She has a long journey ahead, but the family is filled with faith, hope and optimism. "With God, all things are possible." Mia is strong, #MiaStrong, and she can conquer anything!
If you would like additional updates on Mia's condition and treatment, please LIKE her page at: https://www.facebook.com/prayersformiaelena
If you would like support Mia in other ways, please check out Mia's website at: http://prayformiaelena.weebly.com
PLEASE continue to lift up Mia and her family in prayer!
THANK YOU ALL for your love, support and prayers!!!
#MiaStrong
#PrayForMiaElena
#EndChildhoodCancer
#LeukemiaSucks
Organizer
Tawny Jewett
Organizer
Schertz, TX
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