The Jacome Family

Kira was diagnosed on December 3, 2020. She has b-ALL, which is Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. It has been a very rough and hard year for us, emotionally and physically. She has had three ports, which have been very hard to access and keep. She has been allergic to the chemo, ports, and medicine, with very bad reactions to all of them. We caught COVID, and every time she has had chemo it made her run a fever which meant being admitted into the hospital. For about seven months, she had to basically live in the hospital due to being very sick. We even had her 13th birthday in the hospital.

During Kira’s treatment and time in the hospital, we stayed in the Ronald McDonald House. They are there for you when no one else is. They feed you, love you, care for you, shelter you, ask you how you are – and mean it! If it weren’t for the Ronald McDonald House and staff, we would not have made it. For almost seven months, I spent more time with the staff of the Ronald McDonald House then I did with my three sons and husband, going home for only a total of four weeks during that time. They are like a second family and have seen me at my lowest and my almost ready to give up. I love all of the Ronald McDonald House staff! Meagan, the House Operations Director, always came and checked on me. She was always there for me, to see if I had eaten, taken a shower, or slept, which was never easy to do. If I needed to just let out some frustration, I could talk to her, and she would help me get back up. Skylar, the Assistant House Manager, is so upbeat and happy. She always made my night, saying to me “you got this, keep going.” She always had me smiling. Willow, the House’s therapy dog, is amazing! Kira loves her, and she always made her day when she was at her lowest, letting Kira pet and love her.

I am Kira’s aunt, and she’s truly a loving, caring, and beautiful young teenager. She’s a warrior, and we’ve been fighting this together. She’s so brave, and we keep each other laughing and going. Going home has always been hard, since it’s very scary knowing anything can happen and you don’t have the nurses there to help you. But when it’s just you, you find a way to do it.

Thank you to everyone who has been with us and touched our lives. We are still fighting against cancer, but we’re going to make it. If anyone is going through this, remember you are strong and brave – never give up.