Mercedes is my Friend and Co-worker this is her story :

My son's name is Jaylen, he is 12 yrs. old and On January 3rd, 2017 we arrived at Children's Hospital Los Angeles going to the emergency room because he was having pain and swelling on his shoulder. Jaylen was sent to ultrasound and X-ray. We waited for 2 to 3 hrs. for his results. I was introduced to a Tumor Specialist, while a Child Life Specialist was with Jaylen. They explained to us that Jaylen needed to be admitted because of his ultrasound came back with a large tumor. My heart sunk and it felt like a tornado just arrived out of nowhere when I heard: “your son has bone cancer and it’s called osteosarcoma”. (Osteosarcoma it’s usually found in boys from 12 yrs. through 18yrs of age) Everything went through one ear and out the other.  Nothing made sense from this point on. All I have been doing is crying and praying and praying and crying.

On January 4th my son went down to interventional radiology for a bone density test, MRI and CT scans. He had a bone biopsy and port installation for him to received chemotherapy; chemotherapy started the next day.  My son's cancer has spread all over his body except his heart and brain.   We were in the hospital for 8 days and He will be inpatient twice a month for 5 to 7 days each time. Jaylen will be receiving Chemotherapy for the next year, year and a half. Once Chemotherapy is completed he will go to radiation and physical therapy.

Jaylen had his 1st surgery on March 14, 2017 for tumor removal on his left shoulder. Surgery was a success; his left shoulder bone down to his elbow has been replaced with a metal rod and prosthetic bone. He will have a few more surgeries for tumor removal including the ones in his lungs.

So much has happened in our lives since the diagnosis. He used to love school and basketball; but because of his illness he will not be able to attend school. He is in middle school, 7th grade and will be homeschooled.  I know that I have to be strong for him because he is so sad; we have to keep Jaylen encouraged at all times. Jaylen is the 4th child of 6 siblings and he loves to play Legos with his brothers. He is a momma’s boy, he would bring me flowers from our garden and now I’m the one bringing him flowers.

So if you can please, please pray for us.Place his name on your churches prayer list . Please send up a special prayer for my loving ,sweet and gentle son who's fighting for his life. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.