About Yvonne

Yvonne wanted to come into this world with a bang. When I was pregnant with her, it was a normal pregnancy until about 37 weeks along when I had low amniotic fluid and needed to have an emergency c-section. Yvonne was always a goofy kid that loved to make people smile. She always wanted to give. She was unselfish, and wanted to help others as she grew older none of that ever changed. Qhen Yvonne was dignosed with AML (Acute Myloid Leukemia) she was devastated as we all were. For her first round of chemo she didnt want to fight, she just wanted to give up. But with all of the support and long talks I told Yvonne we always have to look at the silver lining no matter how thin it maybe. Yvonnes spark came back, she was hitting every speed bump you could think of during chemo treatments, so many times we thought we were going to lose her, but she bounced right back. During her 3rd round of chemo we found out she had a fungal infection called Aspergillus. The doctors didnt think she was going to survive this. They had to remove her right upper lobe and 3 days later a large piece of her lower left lobe of her lungs. Transplant wasn't going to happen. Yvonne turned 16 a few weeks after her surgeries she spent her birthday in the hospital, but family from all over came from thousands of miles away to spend her special day with her. We got her a saxophone because she has always wanted one. Plus her dad and I thought it would be great for lung exercises. After almost 2 months being out of the hospital doctors said yvonnes lungs were strong enough for transplant. They found a 10 out of 10 match for her. October 18th 2018 Yvonne had her bone marrow transplant. She was doing amazing and was relaxed from the hospital Novemeber 8th. We had to stay close to the hospital for 100 days before we could go home. At day 51, Yvonne started showing signs of GvHD. She was admitted December 26th 2018. They tried every medical intervention they could to get the GvHD under control, even stem cells. Nothing seemed to be helping. Yvonne was released from the hospital April 19th 2018 on hospice. Yvonne always took her own road during treatment, we were hoping that she was doing it this time around too. Yvonne was home for 11 days before she passed away on her little sisters first birthday April 30th 2018. Yvonne had slipped into a coma the night before and was on active dying phase. When I noticed her breathing was getting worse, and her blood pressure started dropping I had her siblings, her dad, and her nana come onto the room. So she could be surround by her loved ones. As Yvonne was talking her last breaths, I was holding her telling g ner how much she is loved and it's ok. We will be ok, and that she didnt nerf to suffer anymore. I told her I loved her and kissed her on her forehead, she opened her eyes looked right at me and took her last breath in my arms. Even though Yvonne went through so much, her only wish was to start a foundation to help parents with a little bit of comfort from home and the children in the hospital. We worked hard to make that dream come true. Sadly she passed away before giving out her first parent comfort basket that was already made and ready to go. In her honor we continued her dream to make it a reality. We are registered through our state as a non profit and have helped 7 families since May 30th 2018. When we asked her what the name of her foundation would be, it took her a few weeks and one day said " Mom! I know! I know what I want to name my foundation. It's going to be called The Orange Ribbon Foundation. " she worked hard to raise money by making bracelets, necklaces, headbands, bows and duct tape wallets. Even though she is not her physically anymore, her light of kindness, love and giving is still shining on the families she helps.