Mercedes family hope for Christmas miracle for child with stage 4 cancer

Atzin Jaimes sits on her father Acatzin Jaimes’ lap in their home on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (Omar Zapata | The Monitor)

MERCEDES — Five-year-old Atzin has a smile that can light up a room. A smile that stretches from cheek to cheek, making her eyes sparkle with joy.

It’s that smile that her parents, Acatzin Jaimes and Francisca Ruiz, hope never fades as she battles a stage 4 Wilms tumor, a rare kidney cancer.

Francisca, 33, recalled taking her daughter to various clinics after feeling a lump on her stomach where she was told that it was nothing serious.

It wasn’t until she took Atzin to a hospital in Edinburg six months ago that she was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.

“When they told me I fainted,” Francisca said with watery eyes, struggling to finish her thought. “Although you hear it in other places or you see it on TV, it’s never happened in our family. It’s really difficult to understand in the beginning.”

Although doctors had removed her right kidney, where they detected the tumor, the cancer had already spread to her liver and lungs.

“This changed our lives from one day to the next,” Francisca said.

Atzin is currently undergoing chemotherapy on a daily basis after having gone through radiation therapy in Houston.

Due to their daughter’s condition both Acatzin, who worked in construction, and his wife had to quit their jobs in order to provide full-time care for Atzin.

Much of the money they had been saving up in order to purchase a piece of land had to be used to help pay for bills, for treatment out of town and other expenses, such as a car loan.

Atzin Jaimes giggles at the dining table with her mom, Francisca Ruiz, on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (Omar Zapata | The Monitor)

They currently sell food plates whenever they can to help make ends meet.

Throughout the months of August, September and parts of October they were unable to sell plates due to traveling to Houston for her radiation therapy.

While in Houston, Atzin’s treatment was put on pause due to her heart going into tachycardia because of the constant treatment and anesthesia.

Francisca recalled her having to be in the ICU for a while.

The constant hospital visits have not only changed Atzin’s life but has also changed the lives of her siblings.

Acatzin explained that their other three children — Ikan, Yotzin and Suheidy — worry for their sister’s health.

Atzin Jaimes holds up her Christmas list to Santa Claus which includes a piano, a necklace, a Barbie, paints and canvases Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (Omar Zapata | The Monitor)

They cry when their sister is taken to the hospital, often asking how she’s doing and when she will be coming home.

“When she’s in the hospital she says ‘I prefer to be in my house,’” Acatzin said, adding that she misses her siblings each day she’s hospitalized.

Francisca explained that it’s been very difficult on Atzin because although chemotherapy helps fight off the cancer it leaves her vulnerable to other side effects, such as heart conditions.

She added that she’s had to get a blood transfusion and platelet transfusion.

“It’s difficult emotionally and mentally draining,” Acatzin said.

Although they know their children understand the circumstances, Acatzin is certain they feel sad especially when he and Francisca have to separate for a few days to take Atzin to the hospital.

“My 8-year-old daughter sometimes feels like we pay more attention to her (Atzin) than to her (Suheidy),” Acatzin said somberly.

He explained that he feels bad for his other children when they are unable to do certain activities due to Atzin’s condition.

Atzin Jaimes giggles at the dining table with her mom, Francisca Ruiz, and dad, Acatzin Jaimes, on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (Omar Zapata | The Monitor)

He added that they’re still kids and want to do kid things. Their love for their sister however, never fades.

Francisca recalled going to a restaurant that had a fountain with coins at the bottom. It was there that each of their kids asked for a coin to make a wish.

“Their wish was for their sister to get better,” Francisca said as she held back tears.

With the holidays being a magical time for children, the worried mother of four also explained that their sister’s health is at the top of their wishlist.

“For Christmas they want their sister to be OK, for their sister to get better,” Francisca added. “Our biggest wish is her health.”

At age 5, it makes sense why Atzin has a bit of a different ask for Christmas.

“A piano, a necklace, paint and a canvas where you paint them and a Barbie,” Atzin said with a smile on her face.

“I never tried piano, so this is my first time when I try it,” Atzin said with determination.

The United Way of South Texas is collecting contributions for the family, which will receive 100% of all donations. You can help them by calling the United Way of South Texas at (956) 686-6331 and ask about the Spirit of Christmas campaign.

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