2008 Light The Night Honored Heroes
Noah Riestra
4 years old ~ Leukemia Survivor
My name is Noah Riestra and I am 4 years old. Currently I am in remission. About 10 months ago, July 2007, I had a low grade fever that would not go away. After trying several different types of antibiotics my pediatrician ordered some blood work. The next day, when the results were back, the pediatrician told my parents to take me to the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital ER for more testing because my blood work was not normal. After being admitted to the ER and waiting for a couples of hours, the Hematologist/Oncologist told me and my parents that I had Leukemia and needed to be admitted to the hospital. My treatment began right away.
I was admitted and had a whirlwind of tests done: Ultrasounds, MRI, EKG, echo cardiogram, spinal tap and surgical placement of a port. The results of all the tests showed that the Leukemia was only in my blood and not my spinal cord fluid. My first round of chemotherapy started 4 days after diagnosis.
I had many bone marrow biopsies and spinal taps with chemo, in addition to chemotherapy through my port over the next 6 months. I am currently in “Maintenance” which consists of taking oral chemo at home every night, receiving chemo through my port once a month, and having a spinal tap with chemo every 3 months.
I missed all of school during the fall, but was finally able to start school during March 2008. I will continue my Chemotherapy treatments until September 2010.
Thank you for your dedication and support of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
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Ali Caceres
LEUKEMIA SURVIVOR
I am the type of person who has never taken things for granted and appreciated all of the things life has to offer. At the age of 16, I lost my Dad to lung cancer which made me realize even more of what life is truly about. I have a loving family, devoted husband and an incredible son. My cancer story starts here: I was a healthy and physically active, 29 year old married woman with a 15 month old child. In Jan. 2002, I had a miscarriage, found out I had pre-cancer of my cervix, couldn't have surgery because I was anemic. I had a bone marrow aspiration & biopsy, cat scan and on the same day I found out that I had Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). I needed an emergency appendectomy which would be life-threatening surgery due to my diagnosis of AML. Initially spent 45 days in the hospital undergoing 2 rounds of chemotherapy, since I didn't go into remission on the first round. I also had pneumonia and severe side effects from the treatments. I needed blood, plasma, and platelet transfusions throughout my stay. The next hospital stay for another round of chemo was another 31 days, and then another round of chemo, plus a bone marrow transplant 30 more days (in Tampa), plus 2 months staying close to the hospital for everyday follow-ups and then hospitalized post transplant for 2 more weeks with complications. On top of all this hospitalization and being away from home, I only saw my son a few times because of the bacterial issues. I couldn't go outside without wearing a mask and couldn't breathe fresh air, nor be around children due to bacterial issues, among so many other things which is inconceivable for the average person. After all that I endured, I had a successful transplant and was able to enjoy 4 years and 8 months of my life cancer free. On Nov. 20, 2006, I relapsed with AML and Myelodisplasia this time. This relapse was very aggressive since the myelodisplasia has also appeared along with the AML. Usually, Myelodisplasia itself comes first and then leukemia, but in my case have a reverse effect. It is complicated, I know!!!! I don't expect anyone to “comprehend it”, when I can barely comprehend it all myself. At any rate, there was a 50% chance that I would get into remission with the chemo regimen that I was on, so it would allow me to get another bone marrow transplant. So, of course I took my chances. I was hospitalized from the end of November 2006 through February 14, 2007. During that time I underwent chemo and had some complications with my heart rate and had to stop chemo after 5 days instead of the 7 day treatment. Although this was not good news, I waited for the results of whether I was in remission or not. I didn’t get into remission, but they were still going to allow transplant which is great news, but my chances for a successful bmt got even slimmer. So, it was the hurry up and wait game again. Throughout my hospital stay there were many complications, but my hope, faith and support system got me through! I continue to have an incredible attitude and a zest for life! There are obstacles in my life which are beyond my control, so while my life is in somewhat in a controlled state at this moment, I WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE SOMEHOW & SOMEWAY. I continue to keep my humor and make a difference however I can. I have been grateful to make a difference by volunteering my time with the Leukemia Society, along with helping newly diagnosed patients. We have so much that we can learn from each other. One of the many things I have learned is we have an incredible power of the mind and we can accomplish whatever we set forth, we just seem to take it for granted. Don’t forget that in life you have some choices to make that are under your control, make the right ones to live a healthy, happy and prosperous life! Live everyday to the fullest and find your humor to deal with everyday stresses!!
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Richard Gager
4 YEARS OLD ~ LEUKEMIA SURVIVOR
Richard is 4 years old and attends Pre-K at Martin Luther King Elementary. He loves playing basketball, football, climbing and jumping - anything outdoors! His mom, Winnie, says Richard keeps her going and he is one strong little boy. Richard has been in remission from ALL for two years now and is loving life!
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CHRIS YANNI
For the first time, Light the Night has an Honored Hero who has passed away. We are honored to have in 2008, Chris Yanni, as our honored hero. Below is an excerpt from an email Chris sent to a friend's mother who was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
In his own words….
My name is Chris Yanni…... I was diagnosed in March ‘05 with the rarest and most aggressive form of NHL. I wish I can tell you how easy ….it will be and that life will be a breeze, but the reality is that road ahead will have its tough moments. I personally hit every bump in the road and had just about every complication possible throughout my journey. The important thing is that I’m still here. You should already know, you are better and stronger than this disease and it’s just one extra chapter in your life. It was initially hard dealing with the past year and a half but then I realized even though it was a hard thing to go through, it was a great experience because I learned so much about myself and how strong I could be when I needed to. You will gain some great life experience throughout and after your journey is over you will become that much of a better and stronger person. The most important thing I can tell you is to stay positive no matter what and KNOW IN YOUR HEART that you will be fine…. I wish you the smoothest journey possible and I have no doubt that you will be fine. Just remember that I’ll be saving you a seat for when you join me and all the other survivors.
Chris Yanni
Chris passed away on July 21, 2007, from blood disease complications. At the time of his passing, he was free of cancer… In his memory and to honor all the survivors and all those who are and will be touched by this disease, we urge you to join us in supporting this important endeavor.
Chris’s family and friends.
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