Everyday Angels

In December 2018, Aden Martinez (age 8) began experiencing a headache and vomiting. Several days later, after he fell while playing with his brothers, Aden was taken to the hospital to check for a concussion. His parents were not prepared for what they heard that day.

The MRI revealed that Aden had a brain tumor, and surgery was immediately performed to remove and determine its type. Aden was diagnosed with anaplastic astrocytomas (APXA — grade III), a very rare type of astrocytomas that begins in the brain. Because of its rarity, there is no standard treatment. Possible treatment options include radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapies or clinical trials. For the past two years, Aden has tried them all — including four brain surgeries.

Since Aden’s diagnosis, Edgar and Sandy Martinez have been relentless in finding treatment options to save their son. They began their journey at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA), have gone to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, and Dana-Farber/ Boston’s Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center. Today, they are discussing an immunotherapy treatment at Duke University Hospital.

“I feel I have obtained a greater understanding of gliomas than I had planned,” Edgar said. “I have learned so much, yet not enough. There is so much more research needed for this type of cancer, and we are trying everything possible.”

Aden is the middle son of three boys in the Martinez family. He is in the third grade at Indian Knoll Elementary. From the beginning, the

Aden rests after one of his many surgeries.

Martinez family has been embraced by their local community, church and schools. God’s comfort and love has flowed from local prayer gatherings at Revolution Church, as well as numerous events at Indian Knoll in honor and support of Aden. The outpouring of love and support has been amazing to witness. “Our family’s testimony is too weighty to hold for ourselves; it’s meant to be shared, both pain and victory,” Sandy said. “One of the most difficult times is when your son is being rolled back for surgery. ‘You can walk with him up until this point, and then past the double doors, we will take him.’ The dreaded words. Words meaning you have to let go. You have no control past this point. Watching your child being pushed on a stretcher into an area that you cannot go is the most helpless feeling. I can’t be there. I can’t comfort him. But that’s MY child. Placing him in God’s hands and saying he is yours. He is yours.” Through it all, Edgar humbly shares his strength in the Lord. “We don’t know what the future may bring, but our trust is in the Lord. We will not be defined by the consequences of cancer. God was in control before, and He is still in control today. He gives us the strength to pick up our cross and carry it, and, when you can no more, he picks you up and the cross, and carries you,” he said.

After several years of extreme highs and lows, Aden’s parents find themselves once again grasping for positive answers. “I’m still processing the news we received today. Aden’s tumor has metastasized into two other ventricles, as well as increased in size where it started. Surgery is no longer an option. They are taking him off his meds and putting him on a steroid until we have the next plan,” Sandy said. “We are praying Aden can begin a clinical trial through the Duke Cancer Institute.”

When asked what Everyday Angels can do for them, and how we might provide relief, Sandy and Edgar simply asked for prayer for their son — for guidance, direction, healing and strength. We believe in the power of prayer, as they do. You can follow Aden’s story on Facebook at Aden’s Army. We are thankful to Edgar and Sandy for sharing their faith boldly through their most difficult journey. Everyday Angels is honored to share their story.

Everyday Angels is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving Cherokee County since 2000. To make a tax deductible donation, visit www.everydayangels.info to donate via Paypal or send your donations to: Everyday Angels, PMB 380, 1025 Rose Creek Drive, Suite 620, Woodstock GA, 30189. One hundred percent of your funds will go to the family you specify. If you know of a special need in your community, e-mail aaeverydayangels@gmail.com