At 13 years old, in November of 2021, Bella had spinal fusion surgery. Several months later, her left shoulder began to hurt. Tracy, Bella’s mom, contacted the surgeon, who stated that shoulder pain should not result from the spinal surgery. Bella researched her pain online and told her doctors she suspected cancer, but they dismissed her concerns. As the pain worsened, Tracy arranged a follow-up appointment with the surgeon. After examining Bella's shoulder and seeing how much pain she was in, the surgeon ordered an MRI of her back and neck to check if something had gone wrong with the surgery. The results showed no issues with the surgery.

Tracy was working on getting Bella in with a nerve specialist, as her pain was becoming unbearable. Bella’s school nurse noticed that her shoulder appeared disfigured and suggested they visit her pediatrician. The pediatrician asked if they had taken an X-ray, and Tracy mentioned that Bella had an MRI. At that point, they realized no images had been taken of Bella’s arm and shoulder. The pediatrician then referred them to an orthopedic specialist at Children’s in Weymouth, MA. When they arrived, Bella told the doctor that she suspected she had cancer, and the doctor reassured her that it was highly unlikely.

After waiting for almost two hours following the X-ray of her arm, the doctor returned and told Bella that she was correct—she did have cancer. The doctor immediately sent them to Boston for an MRI. That was the start of Bella's cancer journey.

Receiving the news of a cancer diagnosis was devastating, but Tracy and Bella decided on the very first day that they would find a way to focus on something positive, and to take time to laugh, each and every day. They chose not to focus on the prognosis and asked not to know the stage of cancer or statistics of survival. Instead they would take each day one moment at a time and deal with what was right in front of them. This approach helped them to get through even the most difficult of days.

Bella's treatments for osteosarcoma started almost immediately, and she never went into remission or had a break. Due to this, Bella did not have a chance to do a Make-A-Wish or some of the things they wished she could have done. Bella underwent chemotherapy treatments, radiation, and several surgeries. Throughout all of Bella's treatments and surgeries, she always remained positive, and they always found ways to laugh. Bella's two lung surgeries were the most difficult procedures she endured. Even through these painful and challenging surgeries, she was able to find light in the darkest of circumstances. After a very hard fought battle, Bella passed away on December 8, 2022 at the age of 15. 

Bella was unique, creative, and quirky. She identified as part of the LGBTQIA+ community and was passionate about social justice issues. She loved animals and often talked about her dream of someday running a program for kids going through treatments with support animals. Bella wanted to provide not just dogs, but also cats, ferrets, snakes, and other unique animals that would comfort and cheer up the kids. She loved to paint and often passed the time during chemo treatments painting and making jewelry. Bella and Tracy would also watch TV shows and movies to pass the time.

Bella loved making connections with other teens at the Jimmy Fund clinic. Despite COVID protocols limiting in-person activities for teens, Bella connected with as many teens as she could. She then decided to create a group chat for all the friends she made so they could meet each other. They became a great support system for one another as they went through treatments. Bella even invited all her friends to attend her homecoming dance with her. Three girls were able to go, and their parents connected at Bella’s house, supporting each other while the girls were at the dance. The child life specialists began calling her "the ambassador." Bella was truly a special person in how she brought people together and stayed positive.

Tracy is trying to deal with her grief in a similar way that she and Bella walked through Bella’s cancer journey, one moment at a time. She is working on being patient with herself as she walks through each day. She has joined the Pediatric Parent and Family Advocacy Council at Dana-Farber and hopes to make a difference there by representing Bella’s voice. Tracy is also on the Board of a local nonprofit run by her best friend called Be; Community, which focuses on the LGBTQIA+ community and adults with differing abilities. Bella held a part-time job at the storefront of this organization while going through treatments. Bella would have been a large part of this organization, and Tracy hopes to represent her there as well. Tracy and her son, Thomas, talk about Bella often and take each birthday and anniversary as an opportunity to honor and remember Bella.

Tracy doesn’t know if there is any "good" advice to give someone in this situation, but she would remind them,

She also recommends Hope Floats, a grief support organization on the South Shore in MA, that was also helpful right after Bella passed.

Rett's Roost has offered amazing supportive retreats for both Tracy and her son. Attending the week-long family retreat was incredibly beneficial, as it connected them with other families going through similar grief, helping them feel less alone. Specifically for her 12-year-old son, he was able to see that there were other kids and teens who had lost a sibling and watched their sibling go through cancer. He left feeling less isolated and more understood. The connections Tracy made at both the Open to Healing family retreat and the Forever Healing parent retreat have been very helpful. Another thing that Rett's Roost has done for Tracy is connecting her with a dedicated grief support person, Beecher Grogan. Offering free sessions to meet with Beecher has been life-changing for Tracy.