Nurturing Nessie: Local family holds garage sale to pay for daughter's cancer costs

The 5-year-old, who goes by Nessie, is a typical youngest sibling. She and her 11-year-old brother Efrain Obando Jr. and 13-year-old Victoria Obando climbed the play structure at Buri Buri Park in South San Francisco last week. At one point, Nessie playfully stepped on her brother who was lying down.

It was a good day for Nessie, but not every day is.

In October, Nessie was diagnosed with lymphoblastic lymphoma. She currently has chemotherapy once a week, on Mondays. Wednesdays are normally her first good day. The ongoing medical costs for her care have taken a toll on the family’s finances. This weekend, the family is hosting a garage sale to help pay for some of Nessie’s medical costs. The sale — which will include used and new household items, baby strollers and essentials, miscellaneous used electronic/appliance items, clothes, books and more — will take place 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at 1151 Miller Ave. in South San Francisco.

It all started in October, Maria Obando, Nessie’s mother explained.

Nessie was having trouble breathing. Her siblings both have asthma, and Maria assumed the same to be true for Nessie. When Nessie went to the hospital, however, they found a mass covering her chest which caused Nessie’s breathing difficulties, her father Efrain Obando said.

Nessie was admitted to the hospital, transferred from her doctor in Daly City to Oakland, and the family spent four days in the dark about her condition. A biopsy took place, but, in the meantime, the mass grew. Nessie needed to have the mass removed.

She was in intensive care and on oxygen. Nessie was diagnosed with a type of blood cancer that led to a number of procedures: Biopsies, a spinal tap, bone marrow aspirations, chemotherapy and transfusions.

Nessie spent about 20 days in the hospital and will be in chemotherapy through October 2011.

Normally the first two days of the week are tough for Nessie, said Maria.

Her ailment means Nessie is extra susceptible to catching viruses or other colds. As a result, her parents aren’t sure if she’ll start kindergarten on time this fall. Their priority is Nessie’s health.

In the meantime, her father lost his job.

"It’s really stressful, being in and out of the hospital the first couple of months. The kids are in school and there’s work. At times it’s overwhelming,” said Maria.

But the couple tries to keep things as normal as possible. All the kids are equal. The same things are expected from all the kids and rules are enforced.

Heather Murtagh can be reached by e-mail: heather@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 105.