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Ella's Childhood Cancer Battle

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My 15-year-old daughter, Gabriella (Ella) Cecilia has been diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma Cancer.  

I've been hesitant to speak on this because it's been almost unfathomable to accept as reality.  'My 15 year-old daughter has been diagnosed with Cancer'.  I have to repeat it to myself time and time again because it feels like an incredibly horrible nightmare that I struggle to wake from.    

Ewing’s Sarcoma is a rare and aggressive cancerous tumor that can grow in bones or soft Tissue.  It usually affects children between the ages of 10 and 20.  The cancer has appeared above her pelvis area as a soft tissue (extra-osseous) tumor.  The doctors are in the beginning stages of determining the treatment and the severity so we can begin the process of the FIGHT!  As someone close to my heart recently stated to me... "So this is the enemy."  Yes, THIS, 'Ewing's Sarcoma', IS the enemy.  

At a time when her focus should be spent learning to drive with the anticipation and excitement of getting her License, she must now learn to accept hospitals and doctors as her new reality.  When she should be spending her free-time with friends and family, she will now be isolated with surgeons, nurses and pathologists. At an age when her attention should be on school and even boys, Ella's attention is now on the fear of surgery, losing her hair and the 'unknown'.


No child deserves this.  

Ella has been active in volleyball and track and taking on new responsibility working her very first part-time job at a local pizza cafe. Unfortunately, this year's volleyball season was cut short for her because of the pain the tumor in her side causes.  She will have to forgo her Freshman track season and is unable to work at the Cafe over this year's Holiday season.  We will have to have her braces removed, which were put on only last month, because they will interfere with imaging scans.  Her life has already been affected so much and this 'journey' (<--I hate that word) has only just begun.  


Those who already know Ella have undoubtedly fallen in love with her quick wit, compassionate heart and strong-will.  Not to mention those beautiful big blue eyes.  The same eyes that captured my soul from the moment she was born and looked up at me.  She is stubborn beyond measure, loves to argue with me and takes pride in the fact that she holds the power to make me crazy, but more importantly, she is my first-born, made me a father and is my first true love. She covers me when I fall asleep on the couch and strives to make laugh daily.  She's also an incredibly loyal friend, her Brother's best friend and her Mom's buddy. All these things plus so many more are what makes her such in incredibly special young woman who is truly just beginning her life.


Those who have not yet had the pleasure of meeting my daughter should know that she's wanted to be an attorney since elementary school.  Her and her friend Catherine have had plans since they were toddlers to tour Paris together the Summer after High School graduation before they begin College.  She has incredible goals and the determination and moxie to achieve them all, plus reach the dreams she hasn't even imagined yet.  

As a single father, I co-parent Ella and her brother Ethen with their Mother, Sarah.  We've already spent the past three months battling Doctors, Pathologists and most recently insurance companies and hospitals.  We truly are now faced with the 'new normal' and reality of this battle and have been made painfully aware that in order for Ella to survive and beat this, then travel to a Sarcoma Center which specifically treats children is a necessity. Unfortunately this will require travel outside of New Mexico for treatment which in turn, requires temporary re-location from NM.  

In preparation, we've also become painfully aware that the daunting costs to come of  out-of-pocket expenses, travel, hotel and meals will become astronomical and overwhelming for our family. While my employment has been extremely understanding and helpful in working with me to maintain employment, I will be going from full time to part time work and that pay cut means a hardship in keeping up with bills associated with maintaining my home in Ruidoso for myself, Ella and Ethen, and with just every day necessities that I never thought I would take for granted.

Also overwhelming, are the tears and fear. I cannot even begin to express the torment I feel...
-I wish I could take this battle for her.  
-I ask God 'why' daily.  
-We're sad, confused, angry... but I pray constantly.
I know we must fight because cancer does not always win! My daughter will have a future; an incredible one in which I cannot wait to be witness to.  

We are asking for any amount of donation that you can contribute. I fought my pride in this request, but, I know help is needed and my own comfort level in asking for help is simply not important.

We need help so we can make this fight a success.

Also and equally as important, we ask for your prayers, positive thoughts and encouragement.

Thank you…Thank you with my entire heart and soul.






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Donations 

  • Gregory Ernhardt
    • $300 
    • 5 yrs
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Organizer

David Lee
Organizer
Ruidoso, NM

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