Valeria Ochoa
Donation protected
Meet Valeria Ochoa. Shes a vibrant, young 12 year old girl, who recently fell ill, ultimately receiving the most devastating news any 12 year old could imagine. On April 1st, Valeria's mom noticed small lumps forming on Valeria's neck. Her mom took her to the doctor the very next day. The typical questions were asked, “Does your throat hurt?’ “Are you running any fever?’ The doctor performed a strep test and it came back positive. Valeria was given antibiotics to take for 10 days. You can imagine how relieved Valeria's mother was to know that it was just strep throat and nothing serious. Valeria took her antibiotics for the 10 days as the doctor prescribed but the swollen lymph nodes on her neck never went down, and now Valeria had them in her shoulder as well. Valeria's mother became very scared and took her right back to the doctor. The doctor examined Valeria, and immediately phoned UTMB to set up an appointment for Valeria. The doctor asked Valeria's mom if she had insurance, and Valeria's mother told her NO but to make the appointment anyway because Valeria's health was of upmost importance. Valeria's mother knew right then that something was seriously wrong. Valeria's appointment was set for Good Friday.
Just 2 days before her appointment, Valeria was playing kickball at school when her leg suddenly gave out, which caused Valeria to fall to the ground. Valeria felt like maybe she had pulled a muscle or something, but she got back up and continued playing kickball even though she was limping. When Valeria got home she told her mother what had happened. Valeria mother told her, to be on the safe side, she would not be going to school until after her appointment at UTMB. Later that night Valeria mentioned that her leg was hurting but thought it may just be because she had fallen at school. Valeria's mother noticed her leg was a bit swollen so she put an ice pack on it and told Valeria that they would sure and tell the doctor at her appointment the next day. When the family arrived at her appointment at UTMB in League City the following day, Valeria was having trouble walking. Valeria had to be helped inside because bearing weight on her leg was just, too painful. The pain Valeria felt in her leg had her in tears, it hurt so bad. The doctor gathered all information from the family, performed his assessment, and referred Valeria to UTMB Galveston Emergency Department for further evaluation. The physician explained that because their were several different problems going on, and now, possibly a broken leg, Valeria would need to be seen at UTMB Galveston ER. The family arrived at UTMB Galveston. Multiple tests were performed, blood was drawn, and when all results were gathered, the doctor came to the door, and asked Valerias mother if she could step out into the hallway, that he needed to speak to her. It was at this time, the doctor explained that Valerias bloodwork came back abnormal. The doctor explained that Valeria would be admitted to the hospital so that more tests could be run. On Saturday, April 20th, Valeria’s family was given the most devastating news one could get. It was confirmed, that Valeria was being diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). Valeria was given the news on Easter Sunday. You can only imagine how devastated and scared she was. Valeria was given very little time to process the news, before treatment started. The following Monday, Valeria was taken to surgery, where a chemotherapy port was implanted under the skin. On Tuesday, April 22, her chemotherapy treatments started. Valeria received multiple treatments in the hospital before being discharged home. Valeria and her mom, travel twice a week to UTMB Galveston. She goes every Monday for chemotherapy, and every Thursday for a check-up. As you can probably imagine, the medical bills are piling up, and travel expenses are hard to find. There is no health insurance in place to cover the cost of the chemotherapy treatments, hospital stay, surgery, etc. With ongoing treatments and travel, expenses can get quite frightening. Valerias soccer team, family and friends will be having a link sale, to help raise funds to help her family with medical expenses. Valerias battle has just started, and yet, all she talks about is how she has to get better so she can get back to her team, and back out on that soccer field, playing the game that she loves. We are asking for your help. Any and all possible donations will be greatly appreciated. This family needs our help. All donations received, will go directly to the family to pay for medical and travel expenses.
We ask that you lift this family up in prayer so that the good Lord can work miracles to heal her body. We thank you in advance for any and all prayers/donations received.
#teamOchoa #SupportValeria #Cancersucks #noonefightsalone
Just 2 days before her appointment, Valeria was playing kickball at school when her leg suddenly gave out, which caused Valeria to fall to the ground. Valeria felt like maybe she had pulled a muscle or something, but she got back up and continued playing kickball even though she was limping. When Valeria got home she told her mother what had happened. Valeria mother told her, to be on the safe side, she would not be going to school until after her appointment at UTMB. Later that night Valeria mentioned that her leg was hurting but thought it may just be because she had fallen at school. Valeria's mother noticed her leg was a bit swollen so she put an ice pack on it and told Valeria that they would sure and tell the doctor at her appointment the next day. When the family arrived at her appointment at UTMB in League City the following day, Valeria was having trouble walking. Valeria had to be helped inside because bearing weight on her leg was just, too painful. The pain Valeria felt in her leg had her in tears, it hurt so bad. The doctor gathered all information from the family, performed his assessment, and referred Valeria to UTMB Galveston Emergency Department for further evaluation. The physician explained that because their were several different problems going on, and now, possibly a broken leg, Valeria would need to be seen at UTMB Galveston ER. The family arrived at UTMB Galveston. Multiple tests were performed, blood was drawn, and when all results were gathered, the doctor came to the door, and asked Valerias mother if she could step out into the hallway, that he needed to speak to her. It was at this time, the doctor explained that Valerias bloodwork came back abnormal. The doctor explained that Valeria would be admitted to the hospital so that more tests could be run. On Saturday, April 20th, Valeria’s family was given the most devastating news one could get. It was confirmed, that Valeria was being diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). Valeria was given the news on Easter Sunday. You can only imagine how devastated and scared she was. Valeria was given very little time to process the news, before treatment started. The following Monday, Valeria was taken to surgery, where a chemotherapy port was implanted under the skin. On Tuesday, April 22, her chemotherapy treatments started. Valeria received multiple treatments in the hospital before being discharged home. Valeria and her mom, travel twice a week to UTMB Galveston. She goes every Monday for chemotherapy, and every Thursday for a check-up. As you can probably imagine, the medical bills are piling up, and travel expenses are hard to find. There is no health insurance in place to cover the cost of the chemotherapy treatments, hospital stay, surgery, etc. With ongoing treatments and travel, expenses can get quite frightening. Valerias soccer team, family and friends will be having a link sale, to help raise funds to help her family with medical expenses. Valerias battle has just started, and yet, all she talks about is how she has to get better so she can get back to her team, and back out on that soccer field, playing the game that she loves. We are asking for your help. Any and all possible donations will be greatly appreciated. This family needs our help. All donations received, will go directly to the family to pay for medical and travel expenses.
We ask that you lift this family up in prayer so that the good Lord can work miracles to heal her body. We thank you in advance for any and all prayers/donations received.
#teamOchoa #SupportValeria #Cancersucks #noonefightsalone
Organizer and beneficiary
Jennifer Terrell
Organizer
Groves, TX
Lucero Ochoa
Beneficiary