ALEXIS CASTILLO
Family living on shoestring fights son’s leukemia
Alexis Castillo, 11, diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, has a port surgically implanted into his chest in preparation for a bone marrow transplant at Miami Children's Hospital.
By CARLOS FRÍAS
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
As his mother speaks with a guest, 11-year-old Alexis Castillo cradles his 5-year-old sister, who has fallen asleep in his arms at the end of the couch.
“You see them running around and you think they’re fine,” Laura Castillo says in a soft, loving voice as Alexis snuggles his face into his sister. “You never expect something like this.”
You don’t expect them to stop running and playing. To stop wanting to eat. To start losing weight. You don’t expect to suddenly find a necklace of lumps spanning from ear to ear just under the skin of a boy whose family has never been touched by cancer. But there they are one day when life changes forever.
It was two years ago that Laura Castillo saw the life begin to drain from her son. One pediatrician missed the diagnosis, prescribing antibiotics. A week later, Laura went for a second opinion from a horrified doctor, who rushed them out the door — refusing to charge them — to St. Mary’s Medical Center, where they airlifted Alexis to Miami Children’s hospital that night and diagnosed him with cancer of the lymph nodes. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Alexis is prepped for his bone marrow transplant. His mother Laura Castillo, right, waits with him.
Doctors blasted Alexis with radiation and chemotherapy three times over the last two years as the cancer returned. The last time was in August, when the latest resurgence of cancer cost him the vision in his left eye. His mother spent two months with him at Miami Children’s — away from her other children, twins Brian and Stephanie, age 5.
This month, Alexis will undergo a bone marrow transplant. The donor: his young sister. It’s a miraculous match, though it cost another one of Laura and Ascencion Castillo’s children a long and arduous procedure. Laura will stay with Alexis at Miami Children’s for at least two months as he recovers from the procedure.
And real life awaits when they get back. Just as they are on this night, when the single-wide trailer soars with the smells of a traditional Mexican kitchen, the family of five is packed in with Ascencion’s brother and mother, who has come from Macon, Ga., to help care for the children.
In his uncle’s Lantana trailer, no bigger than 600 square feet with two twin beds, Alexis sleeps on piled up quilts on the floor, huddled with his sister. His parents and brother sleep on the floor of the 8-by-8 foot living room, which is adorned with family pictures and the half-dozen stuffed animals he’s collected from endless hospital visits. Alexis’ father works long days in construction jobs.
“There’s no point in despairing,” Laura said. “We ask God to give us strength, and we keep going forward.”
ALEXIS’ WISH
More than anything, the family could use an affordable place to live on their own, a washer-dryer set and household items. They also need a modest car, in case Laura has an emergency with her son and is home alone. Alexis loves PlayStation2 and Xbox video games but the family’s television needs to be repaired or replaced. He loves playing soccer, and would like a wrestling video game and a bike. Brian and Stephanie, 5, have never owned bikes and love to play outside. They need clothes (size 7) and shoes (size 13 or larger to grow into). Brian would love wrestling action figures. Stephanie dreams of a play kitchen to cook alongside her mom, and dolls. The family could use gas cards, grocery gift cards and clothes.
NOMINATED BY: Connor Moran Cancer Foundation, Jupiter
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Please spread the word about this story:
Yvette Rosado on 25 Nov 2011 at 1:38 pm #
I am have a 24″ sony wega with remote to donate Alexis Castillo. I could be contacted at 561 304 0812 , My name is Yvette Rosado
CaringWoman on 27 Nov 2011 at 12:24 pm #
If the elementary school the girls go to has a Boys Town family specialist working there, they are a wealth of support and information to families such as this. The school guidance counselor can be of help also.
Alberto on 04 Dec 2011 at 10:15 am #
Dear CASTILLO family my daughter has a kitchen play set. It is in great shape she is willing to help your little girl for the holidays. It looks new it was used with care. Our family can relate to your situation, and we would like to help your daughter feel special with everything going on.
If you are interested please reach out. God bless.
The Sosa family.
Ryan and AJ Flynn on 04 Dec 2011 at 7:24 pm #
My boys and I read the stories in the Palm Beach Post and were most touched by your story. They each gave us $5 of their own money. They are 8 and 10 and want to tell Alexis that they hope he feels better. Our prayers are with you.
The Flynn Family
Erik and Austin on 04 Dec 2011 at 8:48 pm #
My son and I were very touched by your story. I see one of the posters has gifted a Sony TV, we can add to that w/ a barely used late model PS2 Slim in the Limited Edition silver edition. We have the original box and packing materials as well as an extra controller. We can also throw in many of the most popular games on that system. If nothing else you could trade some of the games to gamestop for a wrestling game so you have no costs out of your pocket. Also you could trade the whole package up for an XBOX 360 4GB for for very little cost as well. Our family is struggling w/ unemployment and we were going to sell this on Craigslist but we would rather have this go to this ill young man to pass the time when he feels ill from chemo. you can contact me here
siberianerik@gmail.com
Maria Colominas on 04 Dec 2011 at 9:28 pm #
My son, Phillip, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (A.L.L) on July 29, 1996, when he was 3 years old. Forward 15 years and Phillip today is a strong, healthy young man in his first year of college and attending on a baseball scholarship. As Alexis’ mother said, “one day your life can change forever”, but their is always hope and those out there ready and willing to help.
I am going to share Alexis’ story with my family and friends and I promise that we will help make this a Merry Christmas for the Castillo family.
Our prayers go out to all of you. God bless.
Maria Colominas & Family
The Palm Beach Post on 05 Dec 2011 at 4:33 pm #
Thank you very much for your comments. The best way to help your chosen Season to Share family is through the donation form here: http://bit.ly/rLHYtc However, for questions about donating specific items, please contact the Connor Moran Cancer Foundation. Contact information is here: http://bit.ly/s4JZcm
Thanks again!
Gaye Galluccio on 08 Dec 2011 at 7:02 pm #
God Bless this family…My thoughts and prayer are with you
Kelly Gomez on 08 Dec 2011 at 11:19 pm #
I know your story only too well. My son was diagnosed with ALL after a liver transplant. No one knew why his bilirubin was so high. Less than a month later he was diagnosed with ALL and started chemo. Unfortunately, his body could not take the beating. A healthy (until all this) 16 year old boy, it was devastating for us, his family and his friends. I will work on what we can contribute to this family. I hope that his bone marrow transplant will do wonders for his health. So many can overcome this, he will be one of them.
Paul Family on 15 Dec 2011 at 11:00 am #
Our hearts were heavy reading the story of little Alexis Castillo. Our young girls and us decided to help financially to the extent we could. Our thoughts and prayers are with Alexis and his family, and we wish all HIS blessings for them.