#TEAMLEAHFLEZ

Leah was born with transposition of the great valves, a blue baby.  She had 2 open heart, bloodless, surgeries before the age of 7.  She has led a guarded lifestyle because of her congenital condition.   She became a mother to the amazingly awesome son, pictured, who was also born with a congenital heart condition.  (He is her sun and her moon) She and her son have endured countless doctors, tests, illnesses and other hardships, never complaining or asking for help.  She became "crazy aunt Lala" to 5 wonderful kiddos and surrogate aunt or cousin to so many others.  She has been a fur-mama to too-many-to-count animals.    

Enter the big "C".  

Leah was having some shortness of breath and a cough at her last Cardiology appointment.   Chest X-rays were taken and the tumor was found.  Doctors were sure this was just scar tissue from the 2 heart procedures, but to be sure she was referred to a pulmonologist.  The shot that rocked her, our, world...biopsy came back positive for ALK+ adenocarcinoma, lung cancer for NON-smokers!  She scrambled to get into MD Anderson.  She had to seek treatment at MDA, not only because it is the best, but because of her congentital condition.  Her heart team is right next door at Texas Children's hospital.  Any surgery poses an increased risk for her.   She has already undergone a right middle lobectomy.  As she traveled back home from a 3 week hotel stay during appointments and surgery she got the call that there was malignancy in the lymph nodes, something that was completely unexpected to everyone!

Leah will be making another 7 hour journey to Houston, 1/25/21, only 2 weeks after her open thoracic surgery. The initial trip to Houston was an unexpected 3 week stay with hotel, parking, food, copays and medicine that were not planned for.  This trip will be to meet with an oncologist and further testing.   Only after this will she have an idea of her length of stay.   Because of Leah's congenital heart condition, chemo and radiation can be an added strain on her heart, further complicating an already difficult and exhausting fight. 

Leah's heart is as big as the state of Texas she lives in.  She is always thinking of everyone else.  She will spend her "mad money" on anyone other than herself if she sees something that they may like.   She is modest, humble and INSANE.  Laughter is always present when Leah is around.     She will need inestimable amounts of money for surgery treatment and travel expenses.   Leah's PTO at her place of employment will run out very quickly and she will most definitely have many days when she just won't be able to work, be it for treatment or illness.  We would like to help to keep that laughter coming even through what may not be her best days.  every penny will help her in her fight

Thank you in advance!
Florez, Garza, Guzman, Castillo families