"Dear Santa,
Most kids want a phone or the newest Barbie ... but all I'm asking for is me and my friends to heal from a terrible thing that's called cancer. I don't know if you have it in the North Pole, but if you don't, you are sure lucky…
It's life threatening. Kids don't live a normal life... a day consists of waking up early for a doctors apt then getting blood takin', waiting for labs to come back then ending up getting a transfusion. then feeling sick... going home... throwing up... more throwing up. Then you do it all over the next day... as you see it's not a healthy way of a child's living…"
Not your typical Facebook post from a young teenager.
But then Talia Castellano is not your typical teen, as the cancer monster has found out during the last six years.
"She's so tough," said her mother, Desiree.
Incredibly tough. The 13-year-old Orlando girl and devout Magic fan is fighting two cancers at once, and it's a draw so far.
Even when doctors informed the upbeat Talia she had relapsed — again — her mother said she told everyone, "Can't stop. Got to keep going."
Talia can tell you all about her myelodysplastic syndrome, cancer that affects bone marrow and blood; and neuroblastoma, a cancerous tumor found in the adrenal gland.
"Talia learned how to say them, learned how they come about," Desiree said.
She appeared on the Ellen DeGeneres show. Asked by Ellen (who starred in the undersea film "Finding Nemo") just how she found strength to keep going, she said, "A little fish I know told me to just keep swimming, swimming, swimming."
You cherish your child's first Christmas and never worry the next one might be their last.
The Castellano family — Desiree, husband Larry and Talia's sister, Mattia — has been with her every grueling, heart-wrenching step of the way.
"We're basically on auto-pilot," Desiree said. "We try to live each day to the fullest. We try to do things that are fun as we take this terrible journey."
Fun for Talia is being an amateur makeup artist (she's been a hit on YouTube showing off her skill while wearing a Magic shirt). When she was 12, Magic dancers surprised her at a Christmas party, bringing makeup and a dance uniform in her size.
Talia also loves going to see the Magic play and has plans to do just that Dec. 26 when the team faces the New Orleans Hornets at Amway Center.
She'll be sitting courtside, thanks to Frank and Karen Postava. They are friends with one of Desiree's friends, and were more than happy to give up their tickets.
"She is a fireball with spirit and an inspiration to us all," Frank said.
The Magic provided two courtside seats, too, and five more tickets for family and friends.
'Tis the season to give, to hope.
Maybe there's a reason Talia's middle name is Joy.
"On Christmas," Desiree said. "We try to make it even more special for everyone."
Talia has only one wish as she concluded in her post on her Facebook page, titled "Angels For Talia."
"…maybe your elf's can make a potion to cure it? Just maybe, Santa? If you did that for me... I would be on the nice list for the rest of my life and the other boys and girls would be cancer free and believe in you everyday. Please Santa."
