Mica's Story: A Warrior in the Smallest Body

When most parents take their baby to the doctor, they expect ear infections, stomach bugs, or maybe a virus. For Mica's family, that visit turned into a life-altering sentence: OUR BABY HAS BRAIN CANCER.

At just seven months old, Mica was diagnosed with ATRT (Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumor), a rare and aggressive brain cancer. What started as what seemed like a stomach bug quickly turned into a whirlwind of MRIs, emergency surgery, and the devastating reality of cancer.

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THE FIGHT BEGINS

Doctors removed the tumor, and Mica immediately began a rigorous treatment protocol of chemotherapy and radiation. In her first year of life, she endured more than most people do in a lifetime.

• Two brain surgeries

• A feeding tube and central lines

• Multiple PICC lines, blood draws, and intubations

• Over 50 attempts by medical staff just to find veins

• Endless nights in intensive care

And yet - through IV's, scans, and the chaos of hospital life - Mica's smile remained. Her family called her "the perfect piece of their puzzle", and even during the hardest days, she lit up the room with her laughter and determination.

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SMALL JOYS IN THE BIG BATTLES

Between hospital stays, Mica found joy in the little things. She loved tummy kisses from Papa, giggling at the nickname "stinky feet", and clapping along with her big sister Catalina. Even hooked up to machines, she waved "hi" abd "bye" with her tiny hands.

The family celebrated every milestone. Eight-month updates weren't about crawling or walking - they were about finding light in the dark places: Mica playing with her pulse-oxmonitor or paper cups, smiling at hospital staff, and continuing to win hearts everywhere she went.

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THE ROLLER COASTER OF HOPE

There were triumphs: hearing the words NO EVIDENCE OF DISEASE after scans, moments of relief when her spinal fluid came back clear, and weeks at home where she could play like any other baby.

There were heartbreaks: watching her endure painful scopes, battling Norovirus after chemo, or hearing strangers mistake her for a newborn because of how small an dfrail treatment left her.

And then there was the crushing news - almost a year after diagnosis - that her cancer had returned. A new tumor appeared, hidden between her brainstem and left ear. ATRT is known for coming back, but no amount of preparation softens the blow of hearing it. Once again, her family had to gather strength and restart the fight.

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MORE THAN A DIAGNOSIS

Cancer didn't just affect Mica. It touched her sister, her parents, and everyone who loved her. Catalina, too young to carry such weight, became a "cancer sibling", navigating her own grief and confusion.

Mica's name carries legacy - chosen in honor of her great-grandmother, a strong woman who shaped generations. That strength seems to live on in Mica. She continues to surprise everyone with her resilience, her hunor, and her ability to bring joy into the heaviest rooms.

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WHERE SHE IS TODAY

Despite it all, Mica is growing. She's working with specialists to relearn how to swallow, discovering new foods she enjoys, and thriving in the love that surrounds her. Radiation, chemo, and endless appointments are still part of her life, but so are popsicles, bath time giggles, and whispered " I love you's" from her big sister, Catalina.

Her scans most recently showed stability - no new growth, no spread. For now, her family can breathe, hope, and savor every "ordinary" moment together.

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WHY WE SHARE HER STORY

Mica's journey is one of fierce courage, brutal reality, and fragile hope. Her family has learned that life with childhood cancer is full of contradictions: joy in the hospital hallways, heartbreak in everyday interactions, gratitude mixed with grief.

They share her story not only to honor their daughter, but also to raise awareness of pediatric brain cancer - a diagnosis no child should have to face.

Mica is not just surviving. She is teaching everyone around her what true resilience looks like. She is proof that even the smallest warriors can fight the biggest battles.