Our son Norberto Jr was a healthy 19 year old young man; an ambitious college student majoring in computer technology. During his spare time he enjoyed golfing, fishing, playing video games, cooking and especially loved spending and enjoying time with his family.

Norberto developed continued back pain for about a month and then subsequently became paralyzed from chest down. He underwent emergency surgery followed by inpatient rehabilitation for three weeks. The pathology report and further work ups revealed a diagnosis of primary PNET (Ewing Sarcoma) of the thoracic spine. This cancer is extremely rare and carries a very poor prognosis.

He died suddenly two and a half months after his initial diagnosis from a massive pulmonary emboli.

While in acute hospital stay and rehabilitation, Norberto Jr required total care and he learned how to use a walker and wheelchair. He remained incompletely paraplegic. He also required a significant amount of pain management. His parents were at his bedside 24/7 assisting in his care.

After three weeks of rehabilitation and finally coming back home, Norberto Jr developed recurrent severe back pain with radiation to his ribs. An emergency thoracic spine MRI revealed recurrences of the tumor which had started to compress the spinal cord and spread to the ribs.

Immediately Norberto Jr was taken to MD Anderson in Houston, Texas due the rarity of the cancer. Subsequently, he was admitted and started on high doses of steroids, radiation and chemotherapy. Extensive work ups revealed no more metastasis in other areas of the body. While at MD Anderson Norberto Jr received about 28 doses of radiation and three cycles of chemotherapy combined, both inpatient and outpatient before he passed away.

In that short time Norberto Jr developed multiple complications, including numerous episodes of fever, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea and uncontrolled pain. There were many trips to the emergency room. He developed severe radiation esophagitis and required a peg tube for nutrition. Recurrent hospitalization with multiple intravenous antibiotics. The skin on his back was completely burnt from the radiation. Throughout this ordeal he remained very debilitated and wheelchair bound. He required total care and his mother provided 24/7 assistive care.

As a physician myself I had to run my medical practice, take care of our other children and manage Norberto's medical care. I would fly to Houston on a regular basis. His mother was always at his bedside providing total care and managing his medical care. Our daughter also moved in with her mom to help take care of our youngest teenage son.

Norberto had multiple medications, a central venous catheter and a peg tube. Managing his pain was a constant challenge. Providing total care to a paraplegic young man who is six feet tall and weighing about 260 lbs was very strenuous. Norberto had three battles: cancer, debilitation and complications. Norberto required multiple medications, medical supplies and accessories such as wheelchair, walker, shower chair and bed cushions. Multiple doctor visits, lab and x-rays. As well as occupational and physical therapy sessions. We obtained a temporary apartment in Houston. Transportation was a challenge on a daily basis. The financial burden was huge.

Our family knows all about how difficult the financial and time commitment requirements are that are inevitable for both the families and their child with cancer. We just want to do our part to help by alleviating part of that burden for families who find themselves in the same situation. We are doing this in memory of and in honor of our beloved son Norberto Vazquez Jr.