Itzel's Journey

Hi, my name is Cedric Partlow, and I'm fundraising for my co-worker's 21 year-old daughter,  Itzel. Here is her story as told by her dad, Milton Nuñez.

In early 2022, Itzel began having shoulder pain accompanied by a bump. After some checkups, Itzel was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive type of bone cancer that causes excruciating pain. Then in April, I received a call from Itzel crying. She told me that she was pregnant!

 

My daughter was admitted to USC Cancer Hospital and eventually transferred to UCLA Medical Center in Santa Monica as it was deemed more appropriate and capable of handling her dual case, both cancer and pregnancy. I will never forget this year’s memorial weekend, going to see her every day and trying to get whatever she was craving all while endlessly trying to progress her slow-moving transfer process to UCLA Medical Center. During this chaotic and uncertain time, I got to learn a lot about her. She adores her sporty Toyota Camry. She loves working out. She loves Tapatio on everything. La Victoria or Cholula won’t do it. She and I have lots of similarities! Itzel wishes to complete her associate’s degree, and she is close to achieving that. I enjoyed listening to whatever she wanted to share with me and hope I comforted her during this most challenging time.

 

As a single parent who didn’t get to see her growing up daily, I embraced every minute of catching up with my daughter. But at the same time, it was heartbreaking for me to see her debilitating. She cried as her hair fell out, as she lost all the weight and muscles she loved so much to build, and as she saw her body goes through changes.

 

Once transferred to UCLA, she was faced with a plan moving forward. Her right shoulder and arm needed to be amputated. The option she desperately wanted to avoid from the beginning of this journey. Itzel said that she could not be selfish and accepted that it was the only

way she could save her baby.

 

On 6/14, when I visited her one last time before the surgery, Itzel and I made a mold of a statue of our hands holding. I am grateful that we could keep something tangible of part of her body we needed to say goodbye to.

 

On 6/16, I saw her one last time before pre-op and the team of operation in charge of Itzel’s surgery. The leading Dr. was assuring and promised that my daughter would feel so much better by removing the tumor, that was as big as a human’s head on Itzel’s small shoulder, literally taking over her life. I told Itzel that this is one way closer for her to going home. A little after 12, Itzel’s operation started. I’d tell you, the next seven hours was the longest hours I’ve ever experienced in my life. I wanted to make sure that she woke up. Hours passed, the hospital called Itzel’s mom and told her the operation was successful and that we could see her one person at a time. In order to assure that the cancer cell is completely removed, the surgeon removed almost close to the neck area of her right shoulder and arm.

 

Itzel survived and so did her baby. I am grateful that the operation went well. But the real fight has just begun. If everything goes smoothly, she will finally be discharged and get to go home for a couple of weeks until the new round of chemo starts. If I could take all the pain and difficulties she will face moving forward, I would. I can only imagine how strong Itzel has to be. I’ve been through a lot in life, but she out done her father the big time. She is a true warrior.

 

We all have problems in life. Mostly though, first-world problems. I hope that the story of Itzel reminds all of us that nothing is promised; Just as simple as having our hands, a job, or simply being able to wake each day. I want my daughter to know that each day is not necessarily good and could be extremely hard as she experienced. But there is always goodness and beauty in each day, just as God brought Itzel and me closer through this whole experience.

 

If any of you feel so inclined to bless my daughter, it would mean the world to my family and I. Please pray for her fast recovery and bright future that she deserves so much. I can never get her arm back, but want to make whatever accommodations that help her to feel equipped to start her new life as an amputee.

 

I also thank you for taking your time to read her story and get to know her a little bit.

 

Thanks,

Milton Nunez