Ainsley Garza, 5
Osteosarcoma
Last fall the Garzas redecorated their kitchen. It was complete for
only a few weeks when a coffee cup fell from a cabinet and chipped
the brand new countertop. Under normal circumstances, this would
have devastated wife and mother Kimberlee Garza. But her life has
been anything but normal since her 5-year-old daughter, Ainsley, was
diagnosed with cancer. Now, the mother of two says she knows what is
truly important in life and “shrugs stuff like that off.”
Ainsley’s courageous battle with osteosarcoma has not only helped
her mother keep life’s incidents in perspective, but it also has
served as an anchor for her entire family, including father Melchor
and 9-year-old brother, Caleb.
In July 2007, Ainsley was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a form of
bone cancer. Although it is the most common type of cancer that
develops in bones, according to the American Cancer Society, it is
uncommon for someone as young as Ainsley to receive the diagnosis.
The cancer normally forms near the ends of long bones and especially
around the knees. However in Ainsley’s case, the cancer has not
spread to her knee, which could have caused the loss of her leg.
Instead, a surgical procedure will be performed to remove the tumor.
For a 5-year-old who was looking forward to starting kindergarten
this past fall, chemotherapy and an impending surgery is a lot to
contend with.
“As hard as it is to go through what we’re going through, we’re at
the best place we could be to deal with this,” said Melchor. “We
feel fortunate to live so close to a hospital where she can get the
best possible care and go home after her treatments.”
The Garzas never thought about receiving treatment anywhere else
besides Texas Children’s Cancer Center. They said the care they have
received at the center has made all the difference.
“I don’t think we have come across one
person who doesn’t love children and love what they do. The doctors
and nurses include Ainsley in all the conversations they have,”
added Kimberlee.
When visiting the Cancer Center, Ainsley enjoys Radio Lollipop, a
fully equipped radio station and team of volunteers who involve
children in play and activities, using the sounds of radio to help
stimulate their imaginations.
Kimberlee said, because of Radio Lollipop and other services offered
by Texas Children’s Cancer Center, “we have had more good days than
bad since this whole ordeal started. And fortunately, Ainsley is
able to leave the bad days in the past.”
Read more
patient stories.
