JANUARY 2010

Mackenzie Grace Gonzalez
'Tough Guy'

Mackenzie's nickname was 'Tough Guy' long before she entered the battle of her life.  After many months of sleepless nights with back pain and discomfort, Mackenzie was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor in December 2008 at just four years old.  While most kids are full of excitement and making lists of what they want for Christmas, Mackenzie's life was drastically changed when her family discovered she had Stage IV Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma with lung metastases.   This rare cancer is only found in about 250 to 300 children per year.

Mackenzie's main tumor is located just next to the spine and therefore cannot be removed. Her family called it her 'hotdog' because that is about the size of what could be felt in the upper left side of her back just between the scapula and spine.

Mackenzie began treatment on New Years Eve of 2008-2009 when she was placed on a protocol that included 54 weeks of chemo, and 5 ½ weeks of daily radiation. As is common with many childhood cancer patients, a port-o-catheter (permanent-IV) was surgically placed in her chest to avoid as many needle sticks as possible. By March of 2009, CT scans show stable disease and slight reduction of the lung lesion.  The family, which consists of mom, dad, Mackenzie and three other young siblings ages 2, 6, and 8, was learning to cope with the many changes that were taking place in their family.

Sadly, on May 4th, 2009 it was determined that the protocol Mackenzie began back on New Year's Eve had failed and she was removed after 16 weeks of treatment.  On May 13, she began a new chemo cocktail of medications and she began Proton Beam radiation treatments to the main tumor site in an effort to diffuse it more. 

In August of 2009, she was admitted to Miami Children's Hospital for further scans.  These scans revealed that the spot on her lungs was still present. After more chemotherapy drugs and speaking with multiple doctors and facilities, she began a new treatment plan in an effort to eradicate this cancer and stop any further growth.  Surgery was scheduled to remove the lung nodule only to be later cancelled when they discovered another nodule in the lung.

By December of 2009, just one year from the time this nightmare began, Mackenzie was removed from treatment when another protocol failed.

I hope these words from her caring bridge page, written by her parents after a long year of many different treatments and failures, affect you as they did me and help you to understand the battle these families are in.....

"On 12/11/09 we learned that the (treatments) failed.  She has multiple nodules (too numerous to count) in both lungs, a number of which are active and growing.  We await a plan from the doctors.  Our plan is to decorate the Christmas tree tonight."

Amazingly, regardless of all she has been through, Mackenzie is a happy, fun, and carefree little girl.  She loves to play with her siblings. Her one wish at this time is to go to a water park and ride waterslides and have fun in the pool. A wish her parents are desperately trying to make happen before Mackenzie is too ill to enjoy it.  Her parents wish is that someone would find a cure for this awful disease so no other family would have to go through this.  They still have hope and are seeking healing for Mackenzie through a protein treatment that Mackenzie's father flew all the way to Venezuela to get for her. 

Please pray for Mackenzie and her family. You can follow her story here.  Mackenzie loves to hear jokes and silly stories from guests who sign her guestbook on her site.  If you would like to send a card or letter or help support the family please send to Children Battling Cancer, Inc. 8101 NW 181 Street Miami, Fl 33015 and we will forward to the family or contact us at 305-231-1999.