The first time I met Harlie Valdez was at a softball game.  My daughter was competing against her in a tournament.  I was mesmerized by so many things that Harlie was able to do at such a young age.  Her love and attitude towards the game was something that she acquired from her parents and sisters.  She was an amazing fielder, hitter and baserunner.  As the years went on I continued to watch her in awe, hoping that my daughter could someday play like her.  A few years later we tried to get Harlie on OUR softball team and sure enough we were able to get her to play a few games, which then turned into a full time member of Utah ICE.  As team manager for the team, I often got to take Harlie to the tournaments and was able to get to know her on a personal level.  She was the sweetest, most gracious and friendliest girl I have ever met.  She loved just being a teenager and hanging out with her friends and playing the game they all loved.  With the help of Harlie, we were able to place in several of our tournaments.  We took 1^st in Chubbuck, 2^nd in Price, 2^nd in Heber, and 3^rd in Bear Lake. I just loved to watch her play.  My parents came to watch my daughter play and after the games were done they asked: “Who is that girl on your team?  I love to watch her.  She is fascinating to watch.”  Often times they would return to see HER play.

When Harlies birthday came, we were hoping to have a girl’s slumber party, but Harlie was not feeling good so it never happened.  A few days later she was taken to the doctor and this is where it all began.  Unfortunately, we had to continue playing softball without her on the field but she never left our minds. We would hang her jersey in the dugout during our games, our pre-game cheers were “Do it for Harlie” instead of go team.  Harlie was team ICE.

Weeks went by and Harlie was not getting any better. She was spending more and more time in the hospital. I could see the look on the our team members and my daughters. I knew they were hurting for her.  We went up to see her one day and presented her with a giant teddy bear that we knew she would like as well as other get-well gifts.  The tears were real that were on our girls faces when we left.  How do you explain to 13-15 year old girls that we don’t have the answers to what is wrong with Harlie?  More weeks went on and still she was not getting better. We tried to keep our girls uplifted with what we could but that was hard, because in all honesty, there wasn’t any good news to share.  We had our team party in November and thanks to Harlie’s parents, they were able to bring her for a short time.  Harlie was a celebrity.  The girls were so excited to see her, take pictures with her, hug her and mostly just be with her.

More months went by with still no good news, taking us to present day.  Reading all the recent blogs and posting them on Facebook through our team page has been really hard on the girls. Feeling so powerless, I came up with an idea not only for Harlie but for our girls to show her that they care and are fighting for her. We came up with the Candlelight Vigil.  Because our softball community is so close we got the word out through texts, Facebook, and emails fast.  Members of so many teams (ICE, Whiplash, Kearns High, Crush, Adrenaline, Bad to the Bone, Rebellion, Hot “U” Shotz, Bingham High, Copper Hills High, Trouble, T-ville Rec., Cyprus High, East High, Vision, Bomb, Misfits, Taylorsville High and maybe a few that I did not see) came to show Harlie there support.  There were lots of family, friends, and strangers who have been following Harlie’s story there as well.  I was so touched to see so many people there to support Harlie.  As the night progressed and Harlie came into view from the upstairs glass walkway everyone grew absolutely silent.  Harlie was able to see all the candles lit for her and so many there that were supporting her.  After a few moments of silence, the cheering from the softball girls began.  They were doing the chants they use for softball when Harlie is up to bat.  Ones like “Get it 2 3, get it, get it girl, get it,” “I believe in you 2 3, I believe in you, show us what you can do 2 3, show us what you can do!” and “Harlie, Harlie Valdez, Harlie, Harlie, Harlie, Harlie Valdez.”  Harlie was able to hear them and we got a wave from her!  And, a prayer was said for Harlie from one of the attendees.

As we were wrapping things up, there was a small gathering near the elevator, I went to check it out and there she was. Harlie was sitting in her wheelchair in the elevator.  I am sure this was her way of saying thank you to all those who attended and were praying for her.  This is why Harlie is so amazing; despite her pain she continues to think of others.  I am sure she wanted everyone to know that she appreciated everyone being there and that she is a fighter.

After Harlie left, I was put into a very hard emotional situation.  As I walked around, I saw so many of her teammates, as well as the other softball girls crying and holding each other.  It was so hard for them to see Harlie in this position.   I went up to as many as I could and gave them  hugs, cried with them and tried to comfort them the best I could.  These girls are hurting for Harlie so much.  They care and only want to see their teammate and friend back on the field with them again.

Thank you to the Valdez Family and especially Harlie for allowing us to help you and for making an appearance that the girls so badly needed.  I hope that Harlie can continue to fight knowing that all those that were at the vigil last night and so many others out there are fighting and praying with her.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With all my love and prayers,

Amy Holtz (Team manager Utah ICE)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From Gabe and Stephanie: We Would like to thank everyone for coming out last night and showing their support, love and prayers during this difficult time and encouraging Harlie to keep fighting.. It was absolutely amazing and lifted Harlie’s spirits… There wasn’t a dry eye anywhere. We are very blessed to have so much love and support. We are eternally grateful.

She is out of ICU moved to surgical unit. She is stable but they are watching her closely to make sure she’s not bleeding too much. When they scoped her and found the eight ulcers there not sure if the cauterizing it will keep them from bleeding, and not sure how deep they was and they could perforate through.

They also worry about lower GI & bowels. They do not know if there are ulcers bleeding there. They were not about to scope lower because the risk was way too high. Today she is exhausted and weak. They have her on strong pain med called Diladid . Her stomach is bloated so they are keeping an eye on that as well. They have notified the surgical team in case there might be an emergency surgery needed in her bowels or lower intestines due to a perforation.. She is on total bowel rest and getting her nutrition through the central line they surgically place in her. She is still not out the woods but fighting. Thank you again for all of your love, support and prayers.