Jj Garza, who was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, has
In a blast of great news to end the week, 19-month-old Jj Garza had a successful surgery Thursday in Oklahoma City and will be coming home in four to seven days.
The toddler - who was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, neuroblastoma - was featured in my Tulsa World column on Feb. 23.
Here's the
link .
Jj's parents called to say the doctors were able to take out all but 2 percent of the tumor.
The remaining is wrapped around the aorta of his heart, which made it too dangerous to remove.
His mother, Heather, said Jj will undergo more chemotherapy to further shrink what is left.
The really good news is that only one kidney was removed during the surgery.
So much was unknown going into the procedure, including if Jj would even survive.
He was expected to lose his spleen, a kidney and part of his large intestine.
"We're so excited," Heather Garza said. "The doctors didn't have to take so much of his organs."
Jj is in pain and under sedatives while he is recovering.
It's unknown what side effects Jj will experience as he grows.
For now, Jj's parents are relieved and amazed at his resilience.
For people interested in following his story, his parents are posting on Facebook at
Fighting for Jj .
To donate: 514 E. Young Place, Tulsa, OK 74106.
