Chloe Sanders

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. Here is where this journey began:

Chloe had experienced what at the time was some on and off, mild to moderate stomach discomfort. She saw her pediatrician in Lakeway in early September and it was thought she was experiencing some bouts of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). A little over a couple weeks later, Chloe missed her first day of school on Tuesday, September 27th with increased stomach discomfort. Medication was prescribed to help her, however to no avail. That Monday was the last time she was able to attend her school, Lake Travis Middle School. She planned to try going on Thursday, September 29th however after getting up and going that morning she vomited and ended up staying home. She wanted to go to school again the next day on Friday, and even went so far as to be fully dressed and makeup on in the morning, however vomited again and did not make it. We scheduled an appointment with a Gastrointestinal (GI) Specialist for first thing Monday, October 3rd and by this time Chloe had bloating around her abdomen. It was initially thought Chloe was likely experiencing symptoms from a backed up and impacted colon, and the plan was to do a procedure to clean out her colon and remove blockages. One fine doctor at this clinic of GI Specialists thought it prudent to do some further examination just to be certain this clean out was the correct approach. Chloe had a CT scan of her abdomen, which raised some further concerns, and she was admitted to the Dell Children's Hospital in Austin on this Monday, October 3rd. On Tuesday, October 4th we were informed of a few different potential diagnoses, one of them being cancer. On Wednesday, October 5th Chloe had a biopsy where they removed six (6) liters of fluid, called ascites, from her bloated abdomen and were also able to get a piece of tissue from a mass on her peritoneum, or lining of her stomach. The afternoon of Thursday, October 6th the Oncologist shared with us that Chloe indeed has cancer that likely started in one ovary, and had metastasized to multiple masses throughout her abdominal cavity around different organs and intestines. Our vibrant, beautiful Chloe was diagnosed with stage IV cancer. The stay at Dell Children's was difficult as Chloe's condition deteriorated and she could only get nutrition intravenously, and also was administered pain medications to manage her increasing discomfort this same way. Chloe's amazing strength, determination and courage were evident as she labored through long day after long night in discomfort in the hospital. Her many wonderful friends coming to visit her were a huge key in helping her through those long days and nights. By Friday, October 14th the ascites in Chloe's abdomen had built back up and she had another procedure there at Dell, where they drained another six (6) liters. So in just nine (9) days another six (6) liters of ascites had built back up in her abdomen. We left Dell Children's late afternoon that next day Saturday, October 15th and went straight to the airport to fly to Malaga, Spain. We are outside of Malaga in Marbella. 

It has been so very awesome to see and hear our entire community is behind us all. We are so uplifted by the outpouring of love and support toward Chloe and us all from our friends and our entire community. We are extremely grateful for your support and words of hope and encouragement. Our most sincere love and thank you for visiting.