(Trends Wide Spanish) — The long-awaited reunion of Julián Andrés Rosales, an 11-year-old Colombian boy with terminal cancer in the United States, and his father Andrés Fernando Rosales finally happened this Thursday. After obtaining a humanitarian visa, the father of the minor arrived in Miami to fulfill his son’s dream of seeing him again after almost three years of being separated.
“The last time I shared with him I went to some games in Medellín, to climb and sometimes I forgot what I had because he looked so good physically, so much energy… And that was the last time I saw him,” Andrés recalled. Fernando Rosales.
In 2020, Julián Andrés was told that he had Ewing’s sarcoma, a type of bone cancer. The boy, who at the time was living in Cali, Colombia, received chemotherapy at Clínica Valle de Lily. However, “Julián needed specialized treatment and that is why we made the decision to travel to the United States,” his mother, Sindy Catalina Garzón, told Trends Wide.
Julián Andrés Rosales, 11, is reunited with his father, Andrés Fernando Rosales, this March 9 after almost three years of not seeing each other.
Currently, the boy is hospitalized at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami, where he receives palliative care, as the doctors say that over the days the cancer has spread to other parts of the body and they are not optimistic about his health.
“Right now I see him much more delicate. I am concerned about the sharp pains he has because there are times, when he does not have chemotherapy, the pains are very sharp and there are times when the morphine does not go down well,” said the father. “This is very difficult, this situation is very difficult, to see him like this, that he is so delicate, so fragile, that little by little the medicines are practically making him sleep,” he added.
Julián Andrés Rosales, currently 11 years old, was diagnosed in 2020 with Ewing’s sarcoma, a type of bone cancer. (Credit: Catalina Garzón)
After learning the diagnosis from the specialists treating Julián, the family asked the governments of the United States and Colombia to allow the father to be with his son in these difficult times. His request was heard and Andrés Fernando Rosales thanked this Thursday for the humanitarian visa that he received to be able to see his son once again.
He also shared what he brought Julián Andrés as a gift: “I brought him a Captain America. This is the favorite superhero of the two. I bought him this little detail because my son is a complete warrior.”
Before being diagnosed with terminal cancer, Julián’s passion was soccer.
In the last two days, Julián has not been feeling well. His mom says that, at this point, the disease is a roller coaster and you never know when he will be better. However, he did not want to miss the meeting with his father and asked to be brought down to the entrance of the hospital to be the first to receive him.
“Every day it surprises me a lot. Because despite the pain, despite everything that has happened, he always welcomes me with a smile, always despite the fact that I can no longer control myself when I see him because it hurts a lot and I always feel says ‘cheer up dad, cheer up’”, recounted Andrés Fernando Rosales.
Before being diagnosed with terminal cancer, Julián’s passion was soccer. He even came to play in Pony Soccer, a well-known tournament for children’s categories in Colombia. His story, which has moved many, reached the ears of the player of the Colombian National Team and Olympiacos of Greece, James Rodríguez, who sent him a message of encouragement. “A lot of strength, a lot of relief and a lot of strength that everything will be fine. A very big hug and God bless you, ”he told her. Julián keeps this video as the greatest treasure, assures his mother Sindy Catalina Garzón.
Now, Julián and his father will be able to be together. Maybe not as they dreamed, but together. And that, in the end, says Andrés Fernando Rosales, is what he counts.
