Dari's Stage 4 Cancer Battle: A Family's Struggle

It's time for me to be honest with everyone, I will finally speak my truth.

My name is Dee. Married and have 4 amazing kiddos. It's my twinkies Dani and Dari 14 y/o, my sassy diva Maliyah 6y/o, and my lil dino Roman 3 y/o.

My twins were 13 y/o and turned 14 y/o on 11/30th.

Here's our story, my daughter Dari had been complaining about her right upper leg hurting and she started limping. Later on she had mentioned that she had a lump on her upper right leg. That's when I took her to the ER.

On 11/9/24, is when our world changed! After xray, and a MRI at the ER they stated that more then likely my daughter Dari has osteosarcoma (bone cancer). My heart completely shattered! My heart was hurting for her. They sent us home with discharge papers and referrals. One referral was for a orthopedic oncologist and the other was for a pediatric oncologist. On Tuesday we had our first appt with the orthopedic oncologist. He got us scheduled to do a Biospy on her right leg femur. It was scheduled for 11/14/24. Biospy occured and a few days passed by. Results were in, and confirmed that my sweet child Dari has OSTEOSARCOMA (bone cancer)!!! The orthopedic oncologist stated that she would need a PET Scan and needs to start seeing the pediatric oncologist as soon as possible. Both appts scheduled. The pediatric oncologist stated that Dari would have to start Chemo right away, each chemo session would consist of her being admitted at the hospital for several days at a time. but first PET Scan would need to be done first before starting chemo. The holidays went by, which it didn't feel like the holidays due to everything that was going on. PET Scan was scheduled for 1/3/25, and was completed. On 1/7/25 Tuesday is when I received the results from the doctor, my daughters cancer spread to her lungs and she is now stage 4 cancer!!! On 1/9/25, Dari was admitted to the hospital to start the first round of chemo.

She has started losing her hair, and she has had weight loss, and loss of appetite

Dari has not been able to go back to school due to she is now immunosuppressed, she is not able to enjoy her last year of middle school, she will not be able to graduate middle school with her twin sister, and she will not be starting high school with her twin sister.

It breaks my heart that my child has to go through any of this. Never in my life did I ever think this would happen to any of my children, it's literally a mother's worse nightmare, that I just wish I could wake up from.

Other than having to deal with depression and anxiety on the daily before this even occured. This has affected me even more, trying to deal with how am I going to be able to work, how will I be able to manage my younger kids, how will I be able to be with Dari through out the whole time she is at the hospital for her chemo. As of right now I have been missing so much work, meaning less money in the household. Yes my employer offers certain benefits to their employees but I have used up all those benefits due to all the appts Dari had to do even before chemo started. It gives me more depression and anxiety not knowing how I will be able to afford my bills, medical expenses, things Dari will need such as protein drink, head bonnets, wigs, hospital gowns for easier port access.

Yes I have my husband, but my husband can not take on the bills on his own, he already works a full time job. We are a 2 income household, we work together in order to take care of our house hold.

All I'm asking for if anyone would be willing to donate any amount for Dari. So I can be able to be with her thru out this journey with out having to worry and stress about finances, and to ensure me being able to purchase what I need for her. To be able to pay medical expenses. I know everyone is stressed and overwhelmed with expenses cause this economy is horrible. So i totally understand!

Right now Dari and my other children need me more than ever!

Even a prayer for my Dari would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you everyone for taking the time to read this and I apologize this is super long.

Thank you again!