Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Hero
Priscilla Victoria Lizarraga
Osteosarcoma
Angel
Angel
Priscilla was a thriving sophomore student at Chino High School. She participated in the JV Tennis Team as well as the Softball Team. She was a very active athlete and social butterfly. Even though she was an only child, she knew many kids at her school as well as the staff.
Priscilla started having pain in her right lower leg. She complained about the pain for about a week. Her doctor advised us to take her to the urgent care since they needed to take X-rays. That was the day our lives changed forever. She was diagnosed in the urgent care with bone cancer. Priscilla was officially diagnosed at Loma Linda Children’s Hospital on May 4, 2017. She had a planned trip to Cancun that was only 2 weeks later and now she could not go, since they needed to start her chemotherapy treatment right away.
At first she was most concerned about losing her hair. She had the thickest, full, luxurious hair with natural blonde highlights. I told her it would be fine because her hair could always grow back. During her treatments we catered to her every whim. Once her treatments ended and she was in remission, the happiness lasted for less than 6 weeks. Her cancer came back and even more aggressive than before. By this time it had reached her lungs and several other parts of her body.
After 3 more months of treatment she had new scans done. This time it revealed that the chemotherapy wasn’t working. At this point, she was given the option of doing clinical trials. She told me, “If I can do something to help other teens like me, I’ll do it”. She did in hospital treatments for almost 2 years. She fought until the very last day.
She accepted her fate and gave closure to her relationships with family and friends. The time we had with our baby girl was a blessing. She brought so much laughter, hugs, and unconditional love to all those around her. Her presence of peace and serenity is still felt with us every day.
-Vianey Lizarraga, mother
