Thaily Villarreal and her mother Nelda Villarreal share a happy moment as they leave a school conference at Horace Mann Junior School.
By Susan Passmore
The shiny silver charm bracelet Thaily Villarreal wears on her right wrist tells the story of her life. It’s hard to believe by looking at this lively eighth grader that the first charm on her bracelet is a silver ribbon, signifying hope for victims of brain cancer. The charm is new, but Thaily’s journey with cancer began at the age of five.
“She started having massive headaches in kindergarten, so I took her to the doctor, who said it sounded like migraine symptoms. I’d never heard of anyone that young having migraines,” said her mother Nelda Villarreal.
Thaily had a small bump on her forehead, her nose, and her knee, and her kindergarten teacher Maria Fierro, now the family involvement coordinator at Ashbel Smith Elementary, shared with the family that Thaily was always sleepy and tired in class. After several visits to the doctor, the family still had no answers.
“We had been to the emergency room and her doctor several times, but when she woke up one night bleeding from her nose and ears, we decided to take her to a doctor in Monterrey. They used radiation on the spots,” Villarreal said.
The results of an MRI and a CT scan, however, showed she had a brain tumor, so the doctor in Monterrey suggested taking Thaily to Texas Children’s Hospital, since they lived so close to Houston.
Encouraged by knowing that Thaily, who was then in first grade, would find good health care close to home, Villarreal and her husband - Thaily’s father, Omar Villarreal - made an appointment for Thaily. After running several tests, neurologist Dr. Robert Bollo told them what they had feared – Thaily’s brain tumor was malignant.
“It was like having a bucket of cold ice water poured on me. It’s something that we hoped we would not have to go through. You don’t expect to hear the word cancer,” she said.
For nearly two years, Thaily endured radiation and chemotherapy, and when she was in the third grade, the doctors were ready to tackle the brain tumor. The 19-hour surgery went well, although her C1 vertebrae had to be removed to give the surgeon more room to reach the tumor. Her incision, which required 175 stitches, left a seven-inch scar on the back of her head.
Thaily bounced back, and for the next two years, during her fourth and fifth grade years, she was in remission, but she had not seen the end of her battle with cancer. The next year, as a sixth grader at Horace Mann Junior School, Thaily developed a tumor on her spine, which had to be treated. Her second charm, which simply says, “Believe,” reminds her that she must stay strong.
“She’s very brave. She’s a believer. I can be crying and down, and she says, ‘I’m going to be okay.’ She never gives up. Every time she goes in the hospital, she believes it will be the last time,” said her mother.
Faith, which is the inscription on the third charm on her bracelet, and the message, “With God all things are possible,” on a silver scroll charm, have helped her through her recent surgery for a tumor on her elbow. Support from her family, friends and teachers also has helped her have a positive attitude. Horace Mann Junior School students organized a Rally for Thaily recently as a pep rally to honor her. Unfortunately, Thaily was unable to be there because she had to attend a funeral in Mexico, but she’s seen pictures and is happy that they showed how much they care about her. She even stays in contact with Fierro and her former teachers at Ashbel Smith.
“Thaily has always been a good friend to all of her classmates and was a joy to have in our class,” Fierro said. “We continue to have a close relationship. I try to stay engaged with her and the family. I’m a firm believer that one’s presence and support speaks volumes . . . more than any words.”
The support and love Thaily receives from her sisters, Thiare, a fifth grader at Ashbel Smith, and Teresa, a senior at Robert E. Lee High School, is important in keeping her spirits up. Teresa recently wrote a beautiful poem for Thaily, and she has their favorite verse, “I believe in God who gives me strength,” stitched on her softball glove.
For the time being, Thaily seems to be in remission. Her immune system is not strong, so she has to keep from getting run down. There are a few things she can’t do, but, otherwise, she’s a normal, happy 13-year old girl.
“I can’t play sports. I wanted to play volleyball, but I’m scared of the ball, so that’s a no. I’d also like to play softball, but that’s a no,” said Thaily. “I do lots of arts and crafts. I crochet scarves and do needlepoint.”
She plays with her two dogs, symbolized by a charm shaped like a bone, loves turtles – yes, she has a turtle charm - and plays the violin, also represented by a charm. Another charm says, “The Heart Remembers,” in honor of her grandpa, who passed away this past year. There is a “T” for her name and a bow, because she always loved to wear bows, among her favorite charms.
“I also have a crown, because I’m a little princess, and a heart that has ‘Middle Sister’ on it,” Thaily said.
Although no one knows what the future holds, Thaily approaches each day with a positive attitude. Midway down her bracelet is a “Live, Love, Laugh” charm, and that’s just what she does every day. Her charm bracelet is not yet complete, and neither is the story of her life, but even through the tough times, Thaily’s bright smile outshines all her charms.