#EKC: Cancer reveals incredible strength for patient and family

Yesenia Cuevas and her mom, Dora, spend a lot of time together at Cook Children’s. They’re often shuffling between rooms in the Hematology/Oncology clinic for rounds of treatment for Yesenia’s Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. She was diagnosed three days before she turned 13. Now 14 years old, Yesenia has grown used to the hospital, as well as the doctors and nurses she sees regularly. She says this past year has been challenging, but she has learned a lot about her own strength and the strength of her family.

“I know I’m stronger than I look and I have a family that loves me and is always here for me. My mom told me that God gives sickness to kids who are strong and can handle the fight. That’s why I’m not sad. God does what he does for a reason and I know I’m going to get better.”

Yesenia started her freshman year of high school last month. While she may not be a typical teenager, she doesn’t let cancer slow her down. She plays tennis and is planning for her future. She wants to become a pediatric nurse and help other young cancer patients get better.

Dora says the hardest part of their cancer journey was the initial diagnosis, but there has been some good to come out of it all.

“It was like a bucket of cold water had been poured on me, as if time froze and they said you’re stopping here. I didn’t have time to react,” said Dora. “We learned a lot about her illness and about how to be strong. It’s been difficult, but it has actually built our bond stronger.” 

About #erasekidcancer

Each September, Cook Children's shares stories and raises funds in honor Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. The money raised for #erasekidcancer supports life-saving research, treatments, technology and programs for patients and families at Cook Children's in Fort Worth, Texas. Please help us create hope for kids, families and caregivers who are fighting every day to #erasekidcancer.