LuzElena's Fight Against Cancer (AML)

On May 11, 2016, a beautiful angel by the name of LuzElena Arellano was born. She was born with no complications, no issues, and simply perfect! She began to grow, and we experienced her beautiful characteristics, which transformed her into a beautiful, smart, strong young girl. She is a child of God who loves to meet new people and make them her friends, whom she protects. Every person she talks to, she immediately sparks up a conversation. All seemed perfect and normal growth, including a few doctor’s visits due to fevers, coughs, etc.

On June 28th, she got COVID-19 and fought through it like a champ. On or about July 25th, LuzElena started feeling a headache at school, resulting in fevers as high as 103.3. After taking her to the doctor, she was given antibiotics for a UTI; however, her fevers continued. It wasn’t typical for me to see her this way after taking antibiotics, so I decided to take her back to the night clinic. I expressed concern to the nurse practitioner as to why the continuous fevers, and I was asked to return to get a Cell Blood Count (CBC) lab work on her if the fevers continued after a day or two. Luckily her fevers started to be lower temperatures and finally went away; however, I returned to the clinic so that Cell Blood Count (CBC) lab work could be done on her. I was surprised to see the results of all her blood counts being low. The doctor expressed all the possible things my child could face, including Leukemia. I was informed that this could be possible, but we were not certain because she had no symptoms/signs of leukemia. I immediately asked what could be done to rule out this possibility.

Although I was asked to wait two weeks to redo the CBC (which would be when LuzElena’s antibiotic would be off of her system), I decided to contact Vannie Cook in McAllen with the help of my friend Marisol. I was asked to get a referral which I was able to obtain through the night clinic for peace of mind. LuzElena, without a clue, was starting to be sleepier, with aches on her legs (which I thought were from running and playing soccer at her summer camp). She was eager to return back to school and reunite with her friends and meet her new teacher. After the referral was sent to Vannie Cook, I insisted on being seen asap or being referred to Houston, where I can rule out this sickness as a possibility of what LuzElena could possibly have. Vannie Cook was able to make an appointment for me sooner than what they had scheduled her for.

On August 11th, lab work was done on LuzElena, but no diagnosis was made. It wasn’t until Friday, August 12th, as she, along with her sister Aurea, walked the halls of their school for Meet the Teacher, talking to their friends and teachers, I got the call from the doctor at the Vannie Cook clinic who diagnosed LuzElena with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). It broke my heart, but I felt blessed that our Lord would lighten our walk to find this diagnosis and get her treatment immediately. LuzElena started chemotherapy on August 16th and has fought through some hard times, including reactions to chemo, transfusion of platelets and antibiotics. After her first chemo phase, we were informed that she would need a bone marrow transplant. Although this is not the journey we want our child to go through, we know and trust in God's process. We believe this battle's outcome will be LuzElena’s testimony to share with the world.

Funds generated here will be used for medical bills, treatments, and Texas Children's Hospital in Houston trip expenses. Any help you can provide is deeply appreciated. Please continue to keep our family in your thoughts and prayers.