Helping Claire Beat Cancer!

Just recently the daughter of one of our own, Paramedic Mike De Guzman, was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. We know that right now the best thing we can do to help support them is to take some of the financial burden off the plates of Mike and Becca, so that they can focus on getting their daughter Claire the best care and treatment possible.

From Mike, Becca and Claire-

"Thank you guys so much for all your kindness, Mike and I have been so shocked by the love just pouring in from everyone at AMR. It’s hard to even put into words the madness that's been the last two weeks.

Claire is such a gymnastics loving, stuffed animal collecting, rambunctious two year old maniac. She’s such a little daredevil, I would have guessed we’d be at Rady’s at some point but for a broken bone from her leaping from the couch, never this. I'll try and put into words, as best as I can, what’s happened.

For a little less than a week, Claire was having some tummy pain accompanied with a small but noticeable lump in her belly, her pediatrician felt we were looking at impacted stool but when her symptoms not only did not resolve, but escalated, we knew we needed to take her into Rady’s to figure out what was making our baby so uncomfortable. By February 17th at 4 am Claire was admitted to Rady’s Children’s Hospital. The next day, we waited all day for a sedated MRI of her abdomen. After watching our 2 year old go through pokes and pricks, icky medicines and way too many people in her personal space, the results were in and far surpassed anything we ever could have ever imagined. Claire had a large tumor in her lower belly and the doctors were almost immediately certain they were looking at cancer.

By Tuesday February 20th they had completed the Biopsy, Claire had a PICC line placed and by the end of the week we had her full diagnosis and staging. Stage 4 Rhabdomyosarcoma, an aggressive muscular skeletal cancer. She is currently intermediate risk until we get the results from some further testing from the biopsy and a bone marrow sample, the results of which determine if she is going to be moved into the high risk category. They removed the PICC line and placed a central line Port for easier longterm access. Chemo started on Sunday, February 25th and is expected to continue for approximately 42 weeks, a very long treatment length due to how notoriously resistant this particular cancer is to treatment. We are in for the long haul.

Claire is in good spirits despite the chaos around her and has handled every procedure with such serious strength. We are so endlessly blessed to have such a brave little girl and we know that she will pull through to ring the cancer free bell. Michael and I have been so touched by the outpouring of support and kindness from all of our people, and can’t express to all of you enough how thankful we are for you all in such an immensely difficult time in all of our lives. I wish I could hug every single last one of you. Claire is going to kick cancer's butt. I know it.

Lots of love,

Becca, Mike and Claire

We thank you for any support that you are able to provide!

San Diego Emergency Medical Services Association