At the ripe age of 12, you never really wonder about the future, an illness, or honestly anything. Your whole life revolves around family, friends, and school. But rarely do you ever wonder if you have a serious illness. That would be odd if you did. But for me, that was not the case. In May of 2021, I was diagnosed with Acute Pancreatitis after experiencing stomach pains that came and went without warning. Acute Pancreatitis is not common in kids and there aren't many specialists in Miami. It is usually treated with 5-10 day hospitalization. While there, you are NPO for the whole time to reduce inflammation of the pancreas which causes your pain. After many radiological procedures, endoscopies, and stints in the hospital with multiple IV, and two PICC lines not to mention two trips to Cincinnati Children's Hospital to meet with the experts, we still did not have a definite answer as to the cause of my illness. What we did know is that my diagnosis was changed to Chronic Pancreatitis because now the pain became constant. So, after consulting many experts in the field, and my mom did call everyone, our only option was to have surgery. More specifically a Total Pancreatectomy with Islet Auto Transplantation. Also known as TPIAT surgery. The TPIAT surgery consists of the removal of the pancreas, gallbladder, appendix, and spleen then the reconstruction of the intestinal tract. Once the islet cells are removed from the pancreas, they are immediately injected into the portal vein and end up in your liver in hope that they thrive there. This surgery can run 12 to 20 hours long.

With only a month and a half to prepare for this surgery, I had to undergo multiple procedures in preparation. We also had to rearrange our life for the next 6-8 weeks. On the day of the surgery, I looked at my parents as they wheeled me away and said to them, "I'm ready for the dance." After a 12-hour surgery, I woke up with my new dance partner known as the "MONSTER." The "MONSTER" as they call it in the PICU consisted of several machines with over 32 lines that are constantly pumping fluids, medicines, and narcotics into my body while draining excess fluids.  So, after going through something like that, you're just so grateful for the work that the surgeons, doctors, and nurses have done and continue to do (Thank God for the NERDS in this world.) They all have a part in helping you get better. Some of my milestones were sitting in a chair within 24 hours of surgery, dancing with the "MONSTER" in under 48 hours, and being off all narcotics by the 5th day (which is unheard of as most kids leave the hospital on narcotics.) But with great accomplishments came some setbacks. Many memories were made through the journey such as The Martians are here. At roughly 6:00 am every morning, the surgeons would arrive in their green outfits and flashlights to do their assessment of you while you are completely asleep and have a vague recollection of them coming in and leaving, hence the Martians. Then at around 8:00am in the PICU and 10:00am on the hospital floor, the TEAM as we called them would gather to discuss my progress. Through the darkest times, these amazing doctors with A personalities, allowed me to heal by combining compassion and humor with medicine. So we created themes at every meeting to lighten the mood and make everyone laugh just a little even when the news was not in my favor. Thank you, Mom.

My parents have always taught me to think of others. So, I've made it my mission to raise money so that parents and children experiencing this journey don't have to worry about anything other than their kids. The money that I'm raising will help families, even with insurance, help pay for the unforeseen cost that is not covered. Together we can change the outcome! My goal is to raise $100,000.00 by my 1 year surgery mark which is April 25, 2023. Who wants to help. 

I want to thank the “6 am Martians”, my Team, my nurses in the PICU and on the floor, along with family and friends that have joined us on this journey. That is not over but I'm getting closer to being home.

Thank you.