This is Stella. She is the youngest of 7 and is the center of our entire family.

Our family used to live a very normal life. Filled with routine, comfort and plans for the future. But 3 years ago our entire world turned upside down in a tiny hospital room when we were told our child has cancer.  

Kristella (Stella) was diagnosed with a rare type of brain cancer called myxopapillary ependymoma in March 2021. And most recently was diagnosed with a secondary cancer called ebv+ diffuse large B cell lymphoma /lymphoproliferative disorder. 

Stella's story 
It all started with leg pains that turned into her losing the ability to walk. The MRI showed a large tumor intertwined in her lower spine that was leaking fluid into her abdomen.  She had emergency surgery that removed 70-80% of the tumor. A few weeks after the surgery she started proton radiation treatment (35 rounds) in Houston Texas at MD Anderson. She was sedated daily (Mon-fri) for her treatment and she handled it so well. Stella was able to walk and run again but it left her with medical complications consisting of a  paralyzed bladder, mild scoliosis, and nerve damage to her legs that cause pain. The remaining tumor is inoperable due to the location at the very bottom of the spine, but it is currently stable and we pray daily that it stays stable.

In Jan 2023 two new tumors located at the top of her spine were found and then in March 2023 five new tumors were found in her brain. 

Her cancer has  spread and we are heartbroken  but trying to stay postive. 

Stella finished Radiation on her brain and upper spine in May 2023 (25 rounds) and is was in treatment doing 2 different chemos daily when nodules were found in her lungs. 

After scans and a biopsy of her lungs and lymph node (May 2024) Stella has now been diagnosed with a secondary cancer EBV+ diffuse large B cell lymphoma/ lymphoproliferative disorder. Thankfully after the pet scan it doesn't appear to be in her bones but it is in her left tonsil. 

Stella started treatment for the lymphoma at the beginning of the summer and it has been a really rough. She was in the hospital most of the summer getting blood and platelet transfusions and just too sick to go home. We are finally at a better place and the most recent pet scan shows the lymphoma is stable. 

We are just taking it day by day, moment by moment, mri by mri….  

Her next mri on her brain and spine is on Oct 16th and we pray all the tumors are stable.. and then we will continue pet scans and MRI’s every 2 months praying for more time with our baby..  

Stella is such a strong little warrior. I am inspired daily by her strength and perseverance. Her smile lights up any room and she  continues to smile though all of this.

After Stella’s initial diagnosis Our family has forever been changed, we will never be the same. So many things were put into perspective. Spending time together as a family has become the most important thing to us. Time in general has become the most precious thing to us as we don’t know what’s to come.

- Cindy (mom)