Message from Hospital Social Worker, 8/28/15:
Lysander is a 23 month old male who was diagnosed with Stage IV, Group 4 Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma. When the patient was diagnosed, in August 2014, he underwent a resection surgery that removed the primary tumor from his upper right thigh. Once surgery was completed, he was given radiation to the primary tumor’s site. Every 21 days, Lysander receives chemotherapy in the hospital. These treatments are followed by weekly chemotherapy in the outpatient clinic. Lysander has medical appointments 1-3 times per week depending on the treatment schedule.
Sincerely,MSW
Plea from Mother, 7/22/15:
Hi, my name is Loly Sepulveda. I was born in the Dominican Republic in 1996. When I was 12 years old I moved to the United States with my mother and older brother, Michael, who was 16 at the time. At first, my mother had to provide for my brother and I without any help. About one year later my mother met my stepfather and our financial situation improved a little bit.
My mother got a little, 2 bedroom apartment in the Bronx of New York. We lived there from the time I was 12 until I was 15 years old. My mother divorced my stepfather when I was 15, my brother left the house and I stayed with my mom. When I was 15 going on 16 I got my first job at Wendy’s. This was my first experience as an adult as I began helping my mother pay the bills. Shortly after I began working, I found out that I was pregnant with Lysander. My mother became furious and asked me to leave her house. At the age of 16, I found myself pregnant and on my own. I decided to move in with Lysander’s father for support. I continued working until I had the baby.
When Lysander was 11 months old, he was officially diagnosed with cancer; Rhabdomyosarcoma. Three weeks after the initial diagnosis, it was confirmed by a CT and PET scan that Lysander’s cancer had spread. After he was diagnosed, Lysander and I were in the hospital for three months. I was in shock. It was like I was watching my life on a movie screen.
We were doing ok, in the Bronx, for a while. As time passed, I found our neighborhood to be very dirty and filled with crime. I can remember that often there were people using drugs, in the hallway. Sometimes the smoke from the drugs would penetrate the walls of my apartment. The stress of having to go through cancer treatment with my son made me want the support of my family. In March of 2015, Lysander and I moved to Miami to be closer to my mother.
Since moving to Miami, I have found it much more difficult. I am still not able to work as Lysander is still in treatment. I am blessed that his father arrived two months ago and has started helping. Even though he works very hard, his income does not meet the demands of the bills. I would appreciate any help you could offer my son and our family.
Yours Truly, Loly
