Letter from Hospital Social Worker: Dear Jessica June Children’s Cancer Foundation,
I am here to share the story of my patient, Aubrey. Aubrey was first diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma in September 2023. When I met her and her mother in early 2024, she had already faced a relapse, and they were searching for answers. The search led them to a study here at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital and further testing revealed a very rare form of her cancer. From there, Aubrey’s new treatments were very strong, causing her to become very familiar with the walls of our institution. Aubrey spent more time in the hospital than in her own home last year. The extended admissions were very challenging for mom and Aubrey. She has undergone numerous rounds of chemotherapy and trouble with her kidneys, requiring constant care and nephrostomy tube placement.
The course of treatment has not only affected the family emotionally, as this has been a very taxing journey, but also financially. Aubrey’s mom, Nikya, became a single parent in 2021 after Aubrey’s dad passed away. As Aubrey’s only parent, she had to step away from work to support Aubrey full time. Nikya has been very grateful to her employer for holding her job while she is out on leave, but without the pay from hours and overtime she was previously making, Nikya has had trouble making ends meet. Between Aubrey’s medical expenses, accommodations that she made for Aubrey’s medical needs, inability to work, her rent being raised, prolonged hospital stays, and more, Nikya has had the weight of the world on her. We come now asking for some relief for this mom, who has pushed as much as she could on her own.
We continue striving towards getting Aubrey better. We don’t know where the finish line is yet, but the drive from Aubrey and her mom is there. I have seen Aubrey grow so much since first meeting her nearly a year ago. She seems more confident and expressive. And her mother will always be her greatest advocate. Support gathered here will help mom cover rent, car, food, gas, and other basic necessities. My appreciation goes out to all those that took the time to read this and share anything possible with this family.
Wishing you well,Pediatric Social Worker
Plea from Mother: To Whom this may concern,
Aubrey is 15 years old and was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma on 9-11-2023. She went to the orthopedic doctor for lower back and hip pain and was sent directly to the emergency room, where she was met by the oncology and neurology department. That is when the “Fight” began. In March of 2024, after extensive testing through Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, it was determined that she had a Spindle Cell Sarcoma – first of its kind and began a series of treatments that were more suited for her diagnoses.
Aubrey has had extended hospital stays due to her treatments and it has also caused a tremendous hardship on me, her mother, who has been supporting her as a single parent. Aubrey’s father passed away in 2021. My car payment is very high – I needed a car that would accommodate Aubrey’s medical needs. The cancer affected her ability to walk, and she had tubes in her back leading out of her kidneys. My landlord also raised my rent for this year. It has all been so difficult to manage.
I now had to make the difficult decision to return to work so Aubrey wouldn’t lose health insurance coverage during treatment. We have seen Aubrey take some wonderful steps forward in her treatment, but she still has a way to go. Upcoming scans will tell us what route her treatment will take. My daughter is incredible, and I believe in her. She has even come up with her own motto “I’m not sick, I’m in treatment.” I would be very grateful to anyone that is kind enough to lend us a hand during her treatment. Thank you all in advance. Nikya
