Miracle Ali

End of Year Update

Fri, 28 Dec 2007 10:24:13 -0700

Hello Family & Freinds,

Just a quick update..................

Ali's last lab test shows that she still has too much Iodine in her system, which she got from the CT Scan that was performed in September (the Contrast or dye they use is really Iodine). It may be another month before she can begin treatment, then probably another month after that until we know if all the cancer is gone. Keep us in prayer!!! This is very frustrating for us as a family and effects all parts of our lives. I never knew how difficult for families it is to go through an illness, whether it is terminal or not.

I love & appreciate you all!

Cathy

New Ali Update

Thu, 13 Dec 2007 16:59:22 -0700

Hello Everyone,

Sorry it's taken so long to get an update to you. Ali is feeling fine most of the time and her scars are healing pretty well. She has 1 big smile from one end to the other of her neck, then a smaller curved scar on the left side. They look pretty good for being so large. As far as how she's been feeling, she's doing pretty good also. If she doesn't eat well, though, you can really tell the difference. She will get pale and gets headaches fairly easy. She has only had an upset stomach a couple of times, but nothing serious. Her long-term outlook is still better than we could've expected. She should be able to continue normal teen-aged behavior (God help us all) pretty quickly after the treatment.

I still don't know when we will be heading back to Houston for Ali's Radioactive Iodine treatment. We are still waiting on Lab results from Colorado to be sent to Houston. I don't really know what the hold up is, even though I have spoken to both the Lab and the nurse at MD Anderson. We were really trying to get back to Houston before Christmas because of Insurance reasons (Deductibles and co-pays start over again the 1st of the year). It seems that we won't be able to go until after the first of the year, unless we get a miracle and can get an appointment, flight, and hotel all before December 20th. I have to be back before Christmas Eve for work reasons.

There are quite a few people that we missed informing about the benefit dinner that took place November 3rd. They have expressed to me that they would love to come to the next one, so we will probably begin planning another Benefit Dinner right after the 1st of the year. Any ideas??? Suggestions??? Volunteers???

I appreciate your comments on this site and all of your phone calls, emails, cards, prayers and donations!

Cathy

Technical Update

Wed, 5 Dec 2007 03:27:52 -0700

Greeting All,

I had some trouble with spammers commenting and added the "Captcha" software to the site. I apologize for this extra step you now have to take, but felt it was necessary to the protection of the site. Added some internal updates and features as well. Thank you to all who have helped so far as well as to all who link here, it is much appreciated.

More News

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 12:09:55 -0700

Ali was released from the hospital on Saturday, November 10th. She still has a drain attached to each side of her neck and she doesn't have too much energy. She will do a few things, like take a shower, but it tires her out and she can't lift her arms high enough or long enough to wash her hair. Cathy, Vince and Ali are still in the Houston area. Ali has a doctor appt. on Tuesday morning. They may try to remove the stitches and the drains at that time. Ali also has to be on a special diet, something about 'fat' in the diet or something that will not let her meds absorb in to her body the way it is supposed to. Her Houston doctor is also trying to set up an appt. with a Colorado Dr. for physical therapy to regain full range of motion and strength in her neck and arms. Ali has come quite a distance, but still needs your prayers. Please keep the family lifted up in prayer. Thanks! Doris

New News

Fri, 9 Nov 2007 14:26:36 -0700

Here's the latest info. Believe it or not, I just got off the phone with Ali . . . yes that is correct, Ali. I called Cathy's cell phone to get an update and spoke to her for a few minutes, then she asked me if I wanted to talk to Ali!! I did most of the talking and Ali said "yes" a few times to my questions, but she sounds great. Cathy said that the prognosis is great. Ali's surgery lasted from 7:00 a.m. until about 2:20/2:30 p.m. Houston time. About 7 1/2 Hours!! She had a reaction to either the pain meds or a small anxiety attack after the surgery and the doctors decided to keep her in an overnight recovery room so that she could be closely monitored. This morning she was transfered to her own room and had just ordered some chicken soup and a grilled cheese sandwich for lunch. Ali is getting breathing treatments because she is breathing pretty shallowly. The blood work and other tests that they conducted post surgery have all come back favorable. Cathy said the doctor told her that they would see how Ali is doing "in a few days", so I'm not sure how that is going to fit in to their plan to try and come home on 11/13.

Yeeeessss!

Thu, 8 Nov 2007 16:00:31 -0700

I am really excited about 2 developments this afternoon.

First, we received our first internet donation and it was $100! Thank you so much for your generosity! I won't post the name of the party here since they may wish for privacy, but I will communicate the info I have to the family. I know it is highly appreciated.

Also, I have added Doris to the website team. This is Ali's aunt and as such she will be able to give us her updates.

I plan to have the gallery installed within a couple of days, and then Doris plans to add some photos to it.

Update

Thu, 8 Nov 2007 05:22:20 -0700

(Thanks for the comment updating us!)

"Ali and her parents arrived in Houston Sunday night around 10:30 p.m. She met with doctors on Monday at MD Anderson. She had a very thorough exam and a lump was found on the opposite side of her neck also. She is scheduled for surgery on Thursday 11/8/07. Her doctors are optimistic. Please keep her and the family in your prayers." Her grandma said the surgery starts at 6 a.m.

Good Start

Sat, 3 Nov 2007 19:34:50 -0700

I just came back from the "Ali's Miracle" benefit dinner. It was great. I know so many of these folks and have had many in my Sunday School classes over the years. I was not there long enough to find out how much money was raised, but I hope it was a good start.

If you weren't able to attend and or would like to donate, you are (obviously, duh) welcome to donate right here. The donations go through Pay-Pay directly into the fund that Vince and Kathy (Ali's mom & dad) have set up with their bank so you know it is secure.

The account is (Unsure why it's called a "memorial account." Some internal rule, most likely):

Ent Federal Credit Union

Payable to

Memorial Account for Alexandra Leyba

Remember, If you can't donate money, you can always pray.

Please Help Ali and Her Family

Sat, 3 Nov 2007 05:30:00 -0700

Alexandra, better know as "Ali" was diagnosed with Metastatic Thyroid Cancer just 2 weeks before her 16th birthday. We, her family and friends, are asking for your help. Donations will be used for medical bills not covered by insurance, such as co-pays, co-insurance and dductibles, and several trips to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas where Ali will be treated by the best doctors in the country.

This initial website will be updated as we go along, but we know a lot of people want to help, so please feel free to donate to help.