Heysi Update

After lunch, we went to see Heysi. Heysi is a 16 year old young woman with bone cancer that I have been helping through the care process and blessed to know. Debbie/Ryan had brought gifts for Heysi and her mother; a holding cross for Heysi to clinch in her hand and pray with, a pretty towel and fancy hand soap for Heysi’s mom, Francisca. Heysi looks good. She knew we were going to come and had her wig, make-up, and cute clothes on. Her nails were painted and she was smiling her beautiful smile.

She did not handle the last round of chemo well and could not finish the cycle. Since chemo has been a struggle and not been effective at controlling her tumor as evident by her pain, fevers, and growth in the size of the tumor. The oncologist and orthopedic doctor agreed (yay…first time they agree on her care plan) that they should stop trying with chemo and start radiation to reduce the size of the tumor and then evaluate for best operation to do. So Heysi is at home recovering and strengthening up for radiation.

She is eating and trying to remain happy and strong in faith. I had spent time with her last week and we read about her cancer and about what things she can to take ownership of her care. She has been trying to exercise, drink liquids, eat, and stay infection free. Heysi’s mother is such a loving woman. She always wants to thank us and prepares food for us when we visit. She had a mango salsa and a cow stomach soup for us. The mangoes were really yummy.

We loved on them and shared in the blessing of being a part of each other’s lives. Heysi’s birthday is June 26^th and she mentioned that she wants a camera. Debbie, Ryan, and I got her one later in the week and I plan to give it to her this week! Giving, learning, experiencing empathy and seeing the love of mothers, love of friends, love of families, and power of prayer.

Love,

Ayla Landry

“CANCER IS SO LIMITED: It cannot cripple love; it cannot corrode faith; it cannot shatter hope; it cannot eat away peace; it cannot destroy confidence; it cannot kill friendship; it cannot shutout memories; it cannot silence courage; it cannot invade the soul; it cannot reduce eternal life; it cannot quench the spirit.” Author Unknown