Community Supports Katy ISD Teacher’s Kid Diagnosed with Cancer; Blood Drive Scheduled

KATY MAGAZINE NEWS

December 8, 2021

By Natalie Cook Clark

The Katy and Katy ISD communities are rallying around one of their own. A long-time teacher at Memorial Parkway Elementary recently had her first-grade daughter diagnosed with Leukemia. The community is planning a blood drive in honor of the young Katy student.

Maryann Muzny. Photo credit: Ashley Muzny

A Parents Worst Nightmare

It all started with some back pain followed by an eye infection says Ashley Muzny about her daughter, Maryann.

“She was playing softball at the time, not thinking much about it, we just assumed she had pulled a muscle,” says Muzny, who is a Math Academic Support Teacher at Memorial Parkway Elementary. Maryann is also a student at the Katy ISD school. “We took her to the pediatrician just to be sure.”

She ended up at a chiropractor, pediatric orthopedic, and then developed Preseptal Cellulitis, an eye infection. The pain continued and soon unexplained bruises showed up on her legs.

“She is not one that is prone to bruising easily which gave us the reason for concern so we made another call to the pediatrician who suggested we get blood work done,” says Muzny.

It was the weekend, so they took Maryann to Texas Children’s ER here in Katy.

“They evaluated her blood and confirmed our worst fear which was leukemia,” says Muzny. “She was transported to Texas Children's Hospital in downtown Houston where her diagnosis was confirmed.”

Maryann Muzny was diagnosied with pre-B cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). They began chemotherapy and she was in the hospital for 12 days.

Thankful for Katy Support

Immediately, the Muzny family started to see the power of the Katy community. “The number of donations, prayers, meals, gifts, phone calls, etc. has been overwhelming. I want to say thank you to everyone,” says Muzny. “It means so much to us to have the love and support of our Katy community.”

Community Blood Drive

There will be a blood drive held at Memorial Parkway this Monday, December 13 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the LGI. Appointments can be made online and are going fast as the community works to honor Maryann and her battle.

Maryann is an active first grader that loves spending time with her family, reading, doing arts and crafts, playing with Barbies, going to school, and playing softball.

She is on a 2-and-a-half-year chemotherapy plan. They won’t know for a few more weeks if the current treatment is being successful.

“We are praying for a good outcome,” says Muzny. “Even if her cancer cells have been mostly eradicated by the treatments, she will still have to continue her full treatment plan to make sure it is 100% gone and does not return.”

Praying for Good Outcome; Return to School, Softball

They hope that her immune system will begin to recover so she can get back to doing what she loves, which is going back to school and getting back on the softball field.

Lucas, Kaylee, and Maryann Muzny. Photo credit: Ashley Muzny.

The Muzny Family has lived in Katy for 12 years. Brandon and Ashley have three children: Kaylee (10 years old,) Maryann (6 years old,) and Lucas (2 years old.)

“Together, we will get through this battle and win,” says Muzny.

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