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Thursday, June 12, 2003

Day by day, one step closer
Family members help in mom's struggle with leukemia, brain damage
By EMILY BERG/Staff Writer

VICTORVILLE — "One step closer" was Debi Moretta's motto as she battled the pain of chemotherapy almost a year and a half ago.

Now, the wife and mother of two — as well as her family — is holding fast to the motto as Debi fights to regain mobility she lost after becoming comatose. That condition followed chemotherapy treatments to fight the acute myeloid leukemia doctors diagnosed her with in February 2002.

Debi's family said doctors from Kaiser Permanente in Fontana haven't explained to them why the then 41-year-old Victorville woman suffered severe brain damage following a week of the cancer treatment.

She gradually awoke from the coma, and the leukemia that attacks the white blood cells is now in remission. Debi still can't walk or talk, and her husband, Nick Moretta, continues to fight to get her the rehabilitation she needs.

Numerous Kaiser Permanente medical and administrative professionals explained Debi's situation to the family as it unfolded, said Jennifer Resch-Silvestri, a spokeswoman for Kaiser Permanente in Fontana.

Debi "continued to receive care through May of this year, at which time she was appropriately referred for additional rehabilitation services," Resch-Silvestri said.

Nick Moretta said the services Kaiser Permanente referred them to were in Loma Linda or Riverside. There is a waiting list for the services in Loma Linda, and Debi has a difficult time riding in the car, which would make Riverside too difficult, he said.

While many families face leukemia or brain damage, Debi's family is dealing with both — and it's been rough at times, they said.

"It's all you think about all day," said Sheila Huggins, Debi's sister.

As her family and friends discussed the roller coaster ride of hospitals, medical theories and lifestyle changes they've seen in the past year, Debi laughed at their jokes and kicked a large therapy ball propping up her feet.

The kicking and smiling, as well as some movement in her left arm, are the hopeful signs of recovery that keep the family going. That, and family humor, Nick Moretta said.

"We have very few serious moments," he said.

Nick Moretta has taken care of his wife full-time since she was released from Casa Colina Hospital in Pomona in January. Family members and friends say the 43-year-old Victorville man has hardly stepped out of the house since then.

He spends the day making sure Debi has her medications, therapy and smiles. Therapy includes standing in a standing frame, practicing range of motion on her back and playing the old video game "Pong" with a band around her head that responds to brain waves and facial movement.

"She has days when she is quite good at it," he said. "It's pretty amazing."

Nick Moretta wonders what the future holds. His supervisors at Southern California Edison managed to accrue almost 18 months of vacation time for him through donations so he could be by Debi's side. 

"I just don't believe she'd be here today, if not for them (donating the time)," Nick Moretta said.

Nick and Debi Moretta's children said it's the little things they miss the most.

John Moretta, 16, said he misses his mom's voice.

Kristina Moretta, 13, said the year's events have totally altered the family's lifestyle.

"Our life is changed," Kristina Moretta said.

Do you want to help?

To help the Moretta family, write to the Nick Moretta Trust for Debi, c/o Diane Carlon 7778 SVL Box, Victorville, CA 92392. For more information, check out www.debimoretta.com