Hello, my name is Zuly. I’ve created a GoFundMe account for my mom who was diagnosed with Desmoplastic Spindle Cell Sarcoma in 2012. Since her diagnosis, our family has been on pins and needles, not knowing what the future would look like, and at the same time remaining positive and praying for the day we can close this chapter for good. She’s a loving Mother and Grandmother, with unbelievable strength! Below, I provided a quick breakdown of everything my mom has endured over these 14 years:

2012: Had tumor resection and multiple external beam radiation therapy treatments afterward.

Remained in remission for multiple years, but the cancer returned in 2017, weeks before the 5-year remission mark.

2017: The new tumor was then removed. She was hospitalized for 3 ½ weeks, and 13 implants were inserted in the leg to receive the brachytherapy radiation. Disease-free, but in between extensive physical and occupational therapy and continued care, she had poor wound healing and twice had to undergo debridement of the surgical area procedures due to poor healing to remove all the necrotic tissue. The open wounds from surgery got infected and were being treated by an Infectious Disease specialist. One year later, a third recurrence in the same area in 2018.

2018: Had surgery to remove the new (third) tumor and shortly after started treatment. Had numerous chemotherapy treatments for six weeks.

2024: A routine checkup (MRI) showed a new lesion. Due to paucity of overlying soft tissue/muscle, it was kept under observation, re-testing every 3 months for any changes in the lesion. The lesion remained the same size up until March 17, 2025, when an MRI showed growth of 1.2 cm. This new MRI was done during an emergent hospitalization for sharp abdominal pain. At the same time, we not only learned the 4th lesion of the left femur grew but also that the sarcoma metastasized to the left kidney, small intestine, and pancreas.

2025: All focus shifted to treat the sarcoma metastasis to the kidney, and she had surgery on July 2, 2025. She had a nephrectomy – losing the entire left kidney, the ureter, diseased part of the small intestine and pancreas, and 4 lymph nodes. Shortly after, focus shifted again to the leg, and she was referred for ablation, a less invasive form of cancer treatment – first treatment on 10/16/25 with minimal to no effect. Due for a new MRI on 1/5/26, and a recommendation for another treatment.

2026: January 1, 2026, while checking out of a hotel on a Texas road trip for a family event, the left femur bone broke in half while standing. After contacting her medical team in Chicago, a recommendation was made to transport her to Houston to a Cancer Center for urgent surgery. On 1/7/26, she had a resection of the distal femur to remove the tumor and diseased parts with megaprosthesis reconstruction of the left leg.

It’s been 18 days since the hospitalization, and this sudden and unexpected surgery has triggered an indefinite number of expenses, including two ambulance rides, emergency room visits, hotel stays for the kids and dog, flight fares to get the kids and dog back to Chicago, and other miscellaneous expenses being so far away from home. Of course, there are also the out-of-network billing for an unplanned surgery, out-of-pocket bills, and costs that are already being charged.

Thankfully, her surgery was a success, and she is doing well post-surgery. However, with sarcoma metastasis, stage 4 of an aggressive cancer, she will require additional aggressive treatments, frequent testing, and long-term and intensive therapies, requiring her to take time away from work without knowing how long, while bills continue to pile up. We ask you to keep her in your thoughts and prayers while she’s on her long road to recovery and ask for your help during this difficult time. Every bit of help counts, thank you for your time! ♥️