Thao's Courageous Cancer Battle: Our Lil' Warrior

Dear friends, families, and supporters,

-=Diagnosis=-

On June 22nd, 2023, we received the heartbreaking news no parents should hear. Our daughter, Thao, at three years old, was diagnosed with Stage 3 Hepatoblastoma, a very rare type of liver cancer that can affect one in 1.5 million kids worldwide. It was even more devastating to hear, the cancer was spreading to other organs. The tumor took up three quarters of her liver and has metastasized to both her lungs. Doctors also discovered a mass near her heart in her inferior vena cava (a large vein that transports blood to the heart). The cancer was growing at a rapid rate. It was critical we start her treatment as soon as possible. She started chemo the day after her diagnosis and our world has never been the same.

-=Journey So Far=-

In the first week, she had issues after her biopsy, prompting an emergency procedure to control the bleeding. She was deemed “in critical condition” and was kept on a ventilator due to having difficulty breathing on her own. To provide her with the best care we thought possible, she was urgently transferred to Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, MO (about three hours away from her home, siblings, family, friends, and loved ones).

For the next six months, she spent 52 straight days in the hospital. She was on the ventilator for a week (unable to speak or make a sound). Due to the anxiety, she didn’t talk for two months. She was constantly fighting fevers, infections, vomiting (sometimes with blood), constipation, blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rates, and oxygen level fluctuations. Five cycles of chemo and two lung surgeries led to a liver resection surgery. There are still some known cancer cells on her lungs which we’re hoping will be addressed in future surgeries. We’re hopeful we will reach a point where there are no cancer cells left in her body, however there is a possibility it can come back within one to five years. We still have a long road ahead of us and can never rest until she’s truly cancer free.

-=Financial Burden=-

This girl has been fighting every step of the way! We were fortunate to have support from our families and close friends, but we were trying not to burden anyone else and fighting this battle on our own. We underestimated the financial stress of medical expenses, being away from home, and future expenses. We learned it was okay to ask for additional help. NO child or family should be going through what we’re going through alone!

-=How You Can Help=-

Thao’s fourth birthday is in December. There’s no greater gift than the gift of life. Your contribution, no matter the size, can make a difference in giving her the opportunity to live a long, healthy, fulfilling life, for as long as possible.

If money donation is not possible, please share or consider donating blood and/or platelets. Many people and children, like Thao, who go through multiple chemo treatments need these products constantly. We appreciate your consideration and are immensely grateful for any support you can offer.

Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. She WILL win the fight against CANCER with your help. We are never going to give up! #ThaoieStrong #Hepatoblastoma #Cancersucks #Thaomazing

With heartfelt gratitude,

Thao’s family

-=More About Thao=-

This is Thao, our brave, spunky, sassy, upbeat, fun, and resilient little warrior! She’s the youngest of our three children. She loves BTS (even while intubated she was dancing to Dynamite), anime (One Piece), Trolls (“Better Together!”), Gabby’s Dollhouse (“Sprinkle Party!”), Play-Doh, books, collecting rocks & stickers, band-aids, and all things arts & crafts (she loves to draw on herself). She enjoys going to the beach, playing in the sand, making a mess, and going to the playground. Her favorite foods are french fries and chicken nuggets like most kids. Her three favorite colors (because she’s “three years old”) are purple, green, and pink. She’s adding blue (like her big sister) when she turns four!