***See WAYS TO HELP link for additional information on supporting Angel.***
As you all know, Angel has been through a whirlwind last year overcoming colorectal cancer. She underwent surgery, chemotherapy and radiation in the midst of the pandemic. Your support, love and prayers were a tremendous help to get her through it all!!!!
This year Angel is facing new challenges. She was admitted to the hospital in mid-January with severe back pain to the point it impaired her walking. The MRI found a mass compressing on her spine which was causing numbness in her lower extremities. She had emergency spinal surgery to remove the mass. The pathology identified the mass as myeloid sarcoma.
Myeloid sarcoma is a rare condition often associated with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). It is the tissue form of AML occurring outside of the bone marrow. It was caused by the chemotherapy last year which damaged Angel's blood forming cells (stem cells). Treatment requires an intense leukemia chemotherapy regimen to wipe out the mutated cells. She successfully completed the first round of in-patient chemo and is just beginning the next two rounds of out-patient chemo. Due to her damaged stem cells, Angel will need continued treatments to keep the bad cells at bay until she is ultimately eligible for a bone marrow transplant.
In order to be a candidate for a bone marrow transplant, Angel needs to be walking. She has been working diligently with physical and occupational therapists to regain her independent mobility. The doctor said it can take up to a year for recovery. God is big God and we are praying she starts walking sooner than a year. We also praying for a miracle ~ that a bone marrow transplant may not be necessary!!!
We ask that you keep Angel and her beautiful children lifted up in prayer! We, her family, and Angel will keep everyone updated on her progress using this Caring Bridge platform....
https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/angelitahernandez We appreciate your continued love, support and words of hope and encouragement during this difficult time. Thank you for visiting.
***See WAYS TO HELP link for additional information on supporting Angel.***
(The Caring Bridge site via the TRIBUTES link provides opportunities to contribute, but the contributions go directly to Caring Bridge and not to Angel. Please do not feel obligated to respond to those requests.)
