At only 5 months old, Magaly was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), on July 30, 2018. We had gone to multiple doctor's visits, with no answers as to what was wrong with her. Magaly's only major symptoms were fatigue and low grade fevers, which made it difficult to diagnose her sooner. Magaly became very sick in a short period of time, so we decided to take her to Pardee Hospital Emergency Room. There, they informed us of the severity of her state.

 

They performed necessary testing and made sure she was stable enough, to be transferred to the PICU at Mission Hospital. Magaly was started on chemotherapy at Mission Hospital. She had been doing well with her chemotherapy and had no sign of AML cancer cells after 4 rounds of chemo. But at a closer look, they had spotted a few abnormal cells growing. 

 

They discovered she had now developed a form of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), so they decided that Magaly would benefit from Bone Marrow Transplant. We would have to travel to Duke Hospital,  about 4 hours away from home, to start treatment. Magaly was put inpatient on PBMT unit at Duke Hospital on March 1, 2019 , the day after ther first birthday. After 10 long days of aggressive chemo, she received a cord blood stem cell transplant on March 13. Magaly, like many other kids going through transplant, has had many complications, such as multiple visits to the PICU and needing to be put on ventilators.

 

As of July 1, Magaly has been doing a lot better. She had been out of the PICU for about 4 weeks now. She is starting to feel better and is able to eat solid foods again. Magaly has been a little fighter through it all. She loves her music and going for a ride in the wagon. She is always smiling even through the toughest days.

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Preston's League has been a blessing to us throughout our stay here in the hospital. We are away from family and dont have that extra support near us to help. This program allows me to receive supplies I need without having to leave my baby's bedside.

 

It has taken an enormous amount of stress off of me having to find the time to go shopping and also of having to find my way around the area. For all that I will forever be grateful for this organization.

 

Thank you so very much Preston's League for the time and understanding you dedicate to each family.