Local toddler fights cancer
Being a first-time mom is no easy feat, and when you add the challenges of having a sick baby the road can seem never-ending.
“It’s something incredibly hard that I don’t wish on no one. I never thought that I would experience this with my son,” said Mariela Reyes.
Jaime Pantoja, was just one year old when he began having health complications.
“He fractured his left arm and after that, it was a number of things. He wouldn’t eat, he would vomit everything,” said Reyes.
After several tests and doctor’s visits, Jaime was diagnosed with lymphoblastic leukemia.
Jaime was transferred to Rady Children’s Hospital for his treatment.
“The process of seeing him in pain and seeing his hair fallout. That was one of the hardest things. He would ask me to brush his hair, but he didn’t have any,” said Reyes.
Jaime now has a full head of hair and things are looking up.
“He is now in a phase they call maintenance. He gets his checkups and the doctors monitor his health to ensure that cancer doesn’t come back,” said Reyes.
Despite the excessive chemotherapy Jaime has had to endure, doctors say he is growing and developing as a 3-year-old should.
Reyes said she’s overprotective of Jaime, but little by little they are both making strides to get him outside and interacting with other children.
Reyes said, she can’t even begin to express how thankful she is to Bailando Por Un Sueño for all the unconditional love and support they have shown her.
