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The Rios Family

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April 24, 2018 will forever be etched in our minds as a life changing event for our family. Our daughter (Caitlin or “KK” as we call her) was fourteen-year-old when she got  diagnosed with B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (B-ALL) at the end of April 2018. Her symptoms were typical cold/flue symptoms and shortness of breath. However when I took her to her clinic appointment, the doctor became concerned with her shortness of breath and her lungs , so she ordered an X-ray of her lungs. The X-ray performed showed that her Left lung had collapsed and was filled with fluid, and it also showed a mass on that lung. We were admitted that same night to our local hospital. She has had a chest tube put in to drain the fluid from her lung. She has had a central mid-line port put in to access her for medication and labs. She has had multiple X-Rays, ultrasounds,CT-Scans, and MRI’s.  We have seen multiple specialists since April, from Oncology, neurology, wound care, infectious disease, GI, OT, PT, speech,psychology and social work.

She has been hospitalized too many times to count, but more than 10 times since April 2018. For complications including infections of the chest tube cite, seizures, pancreatitis, toxicity to the brain, all complications of her chemotherapy drugs. Our lives have changed since April, and we have been on a roller coaster ride ever since. Although her type of Leukemia is one of the most common types of childhood cancers, the treatment is lengthy. What our oncology team has shared with us, is that this is about a 2-2.5yr process. There are 5-6 phases of treatment in this process each phase about 2 months long, but each phase is very dependent on how she responds to the treatment and what her blood counts look like. If her blood counts are low, we cannot start the next phase or in her case she has had multiple complications that each phase has been delayed. During all these phases, she will have chemotherapy given via IV or her port and also have chemo given Intrathecally ( chemo is injected in her spine) It is uncertain, how many other procedures or hospitalizations we will need as it is based on her response to chemotherapy.

Right now she has chemotherapy every 10 days via IV and Lumbar punctures ( spinal taps) once a month. But every new ache, every new symptom could result in a trip the ER. Due to the toxicity to the brain that she suffered two weeks ago, that left her almost paralyzed on the left side. She now has intensive physical therapy 3 times a week and Occupational therapy twice a week. Our hope and prayer is that by her next birthday in June we will be through the majority of the phases and in a path to full recovery and remission.

KK's father is an exemplary employee and has worked 2-3 jobs so that KK's mother can be with her.  The toll of this unexpected diagnosis is immeasurable but it cannot keep this bright young family down. 

Cancer does not care what your plans are, cancer does not care who you are or where you come from, it does not care about the color of your skin or how much your family loves you..it just shows up. 

I've started this GoFundMe campaign for the Rios family and all donations raised besides the GoFundMe cut will go directly to providing as much financial relief to their family as possible.

Thank you for your consideration, care and prayers for the Rios family and KK.
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Donations 

  • Susan Warfield
    • $30 
    • 5 yrs
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Organizer

Ryan Murphy
Organizer
Eagan, MN

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