A Young Girl’s Survival Journey

By RACHEL MARICHAL

“I’ve been surrounded by many patients in my lifetime. And no one has really touched me the special way Ana Lucia has,” exclaims Elen Velez, massage therapist at Fort Lee doctor’s office. “She lights up the room even on her sickest of days.”

Ana Lucia Orellana, 9 from Elizabeth, N.J., was diagnosed with Lupus when she was just six years old. Her parents began to notice that she was feeling frequent joint pains, bruising easily, some swelling and feeling large amounts of fatigue. After running multiple tests, the doctors had diagnosed the child with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, one of the three kinds of Lupus.

The Disease

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, simply referred to as “lupus”,  is one of four kinds of identified categories in the disease. Symptoms of lupus include can be mild or severe and tend to come and go over time. Common symptoms include painful joint, fevers, rashes caused by sun exposure, hair loss, loss of circulation in toes or fingers, swelling in the leg, ulcers inside the mouth, swollen glands, and extreme tiredness.

According to The Lupus Foundation the disease can be described as, “a chronic, autoimmune disease that can damage any part of the body (skin, joints, and/or organs inside the body). In lupus, something goes wrong with your immune system, which is the part of the body that fights off viruses, bacteria, and germs (‘foreign invaders,’ like the flu). Normally our immune system produces proteins called antibodies that protect the body from these invaders. Autoimmune means your immune system cannot tell the difference between these foreign invaders and your body’s healthy tissues… and creates autoantibodies that attack and destroy healthy tissue. These autoantibodies cause inflammation, pain, and damage in various parts of the body.”

“Seeing my daughter go through this is hard,” explains Ana Lucia’s mother, Lucia. “I try my best.”

Although Ana Lucia’s parents are proficient in English, they are more comfortable speaking Spanish which is their native language. Ana Lucia is typically the primary translator for her parents especially in regards to the entire families doctor’s appointments.

Pleasant Surprise 

Ana Lucia’s father, Anibal, was in a car accident in January where he was hit from behind when someone was texting and driving. He has been attending physical therapy in Fort Lee, New Jersey at a chiropractor’s office since late January. At the beginning of his sessions, he would often bring Ana Lucia along with him so he could keep an eye on her. It wasn’t until the third time he had gone that he realized she could benefit from the treatment he was receiving as well.

Being that Ana Lucia’s pain was becoming so frequent and intense, Anibal felt it best to have her explain to the doctor’s best. After further explanation, all felt that Ana Lucia could begin some form of treatment to ease her pain. Fortunately for the Orellana family, the company was exposed to kind hearted individuals in the practice who were willing to work on her, free of charge.

Elen Velez has been one of the primary individuals working on Ana Lucia over the past few months. “I would come here every Wednesday afternoon a little while before work and see her waiting patiently in our lobby. We would work together for about an hour and even though it may not seem like much, I think the treatments have really helped in the long run.” However when Ana Lucia began losing portions of her hair in the beginning of March, this meant more time in the hospital. “It felt only right that I continue our work. I know I wasn’t getting paid but I had created a bond with this family. There was no going back for me.” Velez usually works in the Orellana home in visits Ana Lucia when she remains in the hospital.

Staying Strong

Speaking to Ana Lucia, one would be inspired by her determination. With her condition becoming increasingly worse last year, the Orellana’s were forced to take Ana Lucia temporarily out of school. Although the path lead to homeschooling for the young girl, her parents felt it was best to choose other options rather than take away all hopes of a normal upbringing for her. They did not want that to be her only option in addition to homeschooling becoming permanent in her life. 


“I like to learn. Leaving my friends is hard. But I know I can’t be 100% back yet so God must be just taking his time with me,” said Ana Lucia. The Orellana’s have held tight to their faith throughout their daughter’s journey with lupus. Often times a close family friend of the Orellana’s, Pastor Raymond Hermosa- Reyes, visits with the family in the hospital or in their home to check in on them, show support, and to spread the word of God in their home to keep their spirits uplifted.

“I know people worry about me but I am strong. I know I have awhile to go  until I’m better but I am okay waiting because I’m still here.”