And just like that... Our World Stopped.
- Jenny Espino
- Mar 11, 2017
- 4 min read
It was a regular Tuesday afternoon at work when I got a long text from my Mother-In-Law. I was busy on a design project, so I just glanced at my phone and returned back to work and told myself I would check on it in a bit. After I was finished, I read the text and my stomach dropped. You know like when something really scary happens and you can like literally feel a huge lump growing in your throat and the pit in your stomach seems to drop to your toes? Yeah, that's what it felt like.
I read the text that was forwarded from my brother-in-law. It said that their daughter, Aria, had been admitted into a Children's Hospital. They had gone to their clinic because they noticed her tummy becoming very distended and just wanted to check it out to see if it was ok. The doctor took her in for an X-Ray and noticed that her liver appeared to be about 3 TIMES the size it should be and that they needed to have her checked out at the Children's Hospital. Upon arrival, they were given an ultrasound that revealed another truth - there was a softball sized tumor growing on her liver. And so they were admitted.
My husband and I hoped and prayed that it was just a benign tumor that they could just go in and remove. But in what seemed like an INSTANT - but really it was the next night {March 8, 2017} we got a phone call to inform us of her diagnosis. Aria has Stage III Liver Cancer and it's too big to remove right away. DEVASTATED and INSTANT tears... I immediately wanted to know what I could do for my family to support them in this horribly difficult time. The very first thing I could think of was create some kind of social media "prayer chain" by posting #PrayForAria on an Instagram post and subsequent Facebook/Twitter posts.
My husband was excited when his post started gaining momenteum too! He was just so happy everyone was sharing the image that he created and also that the more people changed their profile pic to his #PrayForAria pic, the more they were aware that there is a little two-year old girl out there fighting for a successful journey.
I wanted to create a Facebook support group, where they could share their journey/updates, but I didn't want to ask them if they thought it would be appropriate... especially since it was SOOOO new. But luckily, our cousin Amy took the lead and did one! Immediately, the support of SO many people started asking to join the group. If you would like to follow her journey and stay informed, you can join the group too at: www.facebook.com/groups/prayforaria. I was asked to do the cover photo, and OF COURSE I said yes! This is what I was able to come up with:
The next thing the family thought of was getting some bumper stickers done with her hashtag {#PrayForAria} done to look like the writing on my husband's photo. My brother in law also wanted to add a gold ribbon, as that is the ribbon for Childhood Cancer Awareness. So, I quickly designed that and within a couple of hours, we had our bumper stickers thanks to Jesse at WrapLife! Seriously everyone, please help support this talented man - he DONATED these for us!
Anthony's cousin came to me with a simple shirt design that he created, and then a lot of people started wanting one. So, instead of heat pressing each one, I thought it would be best - and easiest to share with the world if I put it up on my online Shirt Shop at shop.spreadshirt.com/vibrantimagery. I made it so there were a variety of shirt styles and colors available, so if you want to go there and check it out, please do! I made these shirts "profit free" so they are more affordable, but I will still get a commission off of the sale. All of those proceeds will go to the family once they are collected. Please show your support for our precious little girl.
Aria started her first round of Chemo at about 8pm PST 3/10/17. She will be 3 days on and 18 days off. I know this option is so hard on all bodies, I couldn't imagine what it does to poor little babies like her. But our family is strong. It's KILLING us that we can't be by their side during this storm - they are in Missouri {stationed there with the USAF} and we are in California, and that is why we are trying to show our support so hard from afar. Please just continue to pray for Aria. She needs it SO much! I'm just so glad they caught this cancer localized in the liver and it hasn't spread. Her doctors are optimistic that the treatment will work in her favor. Who knows how long this has been plaguing her for. She could VERY WELL be free from this in just a few months. This may actually be the first time she's ever truly lived without the underlying pain that the cancer may have caused - that could be all she's ever known - and didn't know that our bodies should feel better or how to explain that she is hurting. I'm so excited for her future and the gift that the doctors are to her, and her family.
The family has not asked for any financial contributions at this time, but if you were willing to donate {as I have been asked how to many times so far}, please join the Facebook group and stay informed with updates.
Unfortunately, news of this has slowed down my work progress a bit, my evenings after work so far have been used to work on items to support Aria, but I promise, if you are on my list, I will be getting to you soon. Thank you SO much for your patience with me in this difficult time.
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