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Family of cancer patient asks for prayers, support 
Stacy Reyes Gutierrez is preparing for a second bone marrow transplant. She was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia in February.
Courtesy photo
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As all are preparing for the holiday season, hanging up the lights, fighting the crowds to get that awesome gift or awaiting the arrival of Santa Claus, Stacy Reyes Gutierrez is preparing for a second bone marrow transplant. Stacy was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia in February 2008. She was hospitalized at Scott & White Hospital in Temple until March 4, when word came that a bone marrow donor match was found. She was transferred to Cook Children’s Hospital in Fort Worth. On her first day there, she was subjected to a series of tests which included an MRI, CT scan, EKG, blood test, kidney and liver tests. She received her first bone marrow transplant March 21. During Stacy’s stay at Cook Children’s Hospital, her days were filled with doctor visits and lab work. She enjoyed completing her school assignments and was doing well with her studies. Stacy’s bone marrow was tested the week of April 21 and she received wonderful news; her leukemia was in remission! Her stay in the isolated bone marrow unit was coming to an end. For the next four to six weeks, Stacy would be making the Ronald McDonald House in Fort Worth her home away from home. She would continue to be monitored on an outpatient basis. Stacy’s medical condition was stable enough to come home on Friday, June 20. Stacy came home to a front yard full of family and friends. She was so excited to be home and play on her swing set. She continued doctors visits and many tests to make sure things were progressing as hoped. All was well until Aug. 25, when tests revealed the bone marrow transplant was not working as it should. This was of great concern to the doctors and her family. On Sept. 8, doctors informer her parents, Ruben and Sophie, and sister Erica the leukemia was back and Stacy would need more rounds of chemotherapy and a second bone marrow transplant. Since mid-September, Stacy has been in and out of Scott and White in Temple. She has undergone countless tests and numerous days of chemotherapy. Doctors have taken several steps to prepare Stacy for her second transplant. This Christmas, Stacy is asking Santa for a cure and a Nintendo Wii. She will get to spend the Christmas holiday and her seventh birthday (Dec. 26) at home with family and friends. The scheduled date of her second bone marrow transplant is January 7, 2009 at Cooks Children Medical Center in Fort Worth. Please keep the Gutierrez family in your thoughts and prayers this holiday season and upcoming year. Stacy’s medical fund account is open at City National Bank in Taylor. All donations are greatly appreciated. Sophie Gutierrez, Taylor
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