Jana and Darren Ortega have a lot to be thankful for in their struggle with their 7-year-old daughter’s leukemia.
Addie Ortega, 7, was diagnosed in November 2009 with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia after exhibiting symptoms including low-grade fever and weight loss.
The Ortegas took Addie to the doctor in Emporia a couple of times and eventually they were told to take her to Children’s Mercy in Kansas City. There, she was diagnosed and treatment began right away. She began chemotherapy and will be done in January 2012.
The Ortegas have four other children: Brayden, 4; Allie, 4; Becca, 16; and Bethany, 14.
The first six months of Addie’s treatment was hard, Jana Ortega said.
“We had to be very careful about what she was exposed to,” she said, adding that chemotherapy destroys white blood cells, which fight infection in the body. “She never really left the house.”
Addie had to have a couple of blood transfusions as well as a platelet transfusion. The minute Addie spiked a fever, she had to be taken to the emergency room, where they would start her on antibiotics and then she had to be taken to Kansas City.
“For the first six months, that was our life,” Ortega said.
After that, Addie went to once a month chemotherapy treatments. She has a portable catheter embedded in her chest where the medication is given.
“Three to four days after the chemotherapy are kind of hard,” Ortega said.
After she completes her chemotherapy in January, Addie has to go every four to six weeks for blood tests for two years. Once she is cancer-free for 10 years she will be considered cured, Ortega said.
“Now it’s a lot easier because she is active and you can tell she feels better,” Ortega said. “When we first found out it was so hard. She didn’t feel good.”
Ortega said the family’s faith first and foremost got them through Addie’s illness and treatment. Support from family and friends also helped them get through.
“Everybody was so generous to us,” Ortega said. “We’d never be able to repay them. We want to extend a big thank you to everybody for everything they’ve done for us. We wouldn’t have been able to make it without anybody. Huge numbers of people prayed for us and helped us financially and brought us groceries.”
Make-A-Wish
The family was granted a wish through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The immediate family, along with extended family were taken to Disney World in Florida and also to World Village, which is a place only families affected by life threatening illnesses can go. It’s a story-book village designed just for kids affected by life threatening illness.
“The Make-A-Wish Foundation was great,” Jana Ortega said, adding that the family didn’t have to lift a finger with the trip — it was all set up for them.
Team in Training
Through Addie’s treatment, the family became familiar with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Jana and Darren have decided to join the Team in Training, which is a half marathon event to raise money to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma from taking lives. To donate on the Ortega’s behalf go to www.teamintraining.org and check donate to search for Jana or Darren Ortega.
The family also will be at the Great American Market on Sept. 10 selling fried tacos.
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
A story that made me feel better. Hang in there mom and dad. And Addie, YOU GO GIRL !
July 21, 2011 at 4:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bluebonnet (anonymous) says...
I know this family; they are amazing folks!
July 21, 2011 at 4:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )