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BIRMINGHAM, Alabama (WVTM) — A 17-year-old St. Clair County girl is heading to Texas for what she hopes will be life-saving surgery.
We told you last month about Julianna Barrientos. She has osteosarcoma, an aggressive form of bone cancer. Her doctors at Children’s of Alabama recommended she go to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Texas for surgery. Initially, though, Medicaid refused to cover the procedure. After we brought you the story, Medicaid revisited the request and reversed its decision.
Now, Julianna is relieved, grateful and hopeful. She and her father, Adam Barrientos, are flying to Texas on a medical transport plane Wednesday.
She is not your typical teenager. The high school senior is not worried about boys, grades or friends. She is focused on survival.
She will undergo two surgeries in Houston that she hopes will save her life.
“She’s in good spirits. She’s a little nervous because of the flight. She’s a little nervous because of the facility,” Adam Barrientos said. “She loves the facility that she’s at and the nurses that she’s had and the physicians that she’s had. But right now, she’s going into the unknown.”
When we last spoke with her, Medicaid had denied coverage for the out-of-state surgery. But Julianna put her faith in God and believed it would work out.
A week later, the family learned Medicaid had reversed its decision.
“When she woke up, we were all just, like, happy crying,” her father said. “She just turned to us and said, ‘What are you crying for?’ We said, ‘It got reversed.’ She’s like, ‘That was God,’ and went back to sleep. She said, ‘I told you, just trust. Just trust.'”
Doctors at MD Anderson will work to remove the cancerous bone, which means Julianna will lose her leg.
You might think that news would be devastating for an avid soccer player, but Julianna said she sees the bigger picture.
“I’d rather live more than have my leg to be able to do these activities because maybe soccer wasn’t my thing or my calling, what God called me to do,” Julianna said.
Her father said everyone from local and national political leaders to athletes and celebrities has reached out to show support and offer encouragement. He believes it has helped her stay positive.
“She loves reading inspirational cards from people that have been in her situation or have gone through situations like this or even just sympathizing with her,” he said. “She loves reading people’s thoughts and people’s encouragement.”
Her father said they covet your prayers and words of encouragement.
You can send those messages to WVTM 13 at 1732 Valley View Drive, Birmingham, AL 35209. We’ll make sure they get to Julianna in Houston, and we’ll keep you updated on her medical journey.
Her first surgery is scheduled for Aug. 4, with a second scheduled for Aug. 6.
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