Some children go months while doctors try to correctly diagnose their cancer, but this was not the case for sweet, thoughtful, Disney World-loving Gabby Gonzalez. After acting lethargic and refusing to eat or drink, her mother Heather brought Gabby to the doctor’s office that immediately referred Heather to the local hospital’s ER. Within 20 minutes of arrival at the ER, Gabby had a chest X-ray, blood draws and IV’s. Upon finding some abnormalities in her bloodwork, Gabby and her mom were again referred elsewhere – this time to the local children’s hospital where they were told that the Oncology ICU was waiting for them. After a litany of other tests, medications and scans – Gabby was officially diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Gabby underwent 17 months of chemotherapy (having been treated with 9 different types of chemo drugs), surgery, bone marrow biopsies and over a dozen lumbar punctures. Despite this rigorous regimen, Gabby has taken on her treatment with grace and perseverance, never complaining and always with a smile on her face. It has helped Heather realize that Gabby is stronger that she could ever imagine and full of hope, helping her to cope with the terrifying reality that her daughter has cancer.

Gabby is now in remission and considered cancer free!  Gabby’s mom, although thankful for the treatment, also fears what lies ahead in terms of side effects from all of the medications. She stresses the need for additional research to find better, less toxic treatments for children facing cancer so they can continue to have all of the opportunities that any other child has growing up. 

Information provided by Heather Gonzalez, Gabby’s Mom
Updated July 2013