Desiree, who lost her long running 6 year battle with breast cancer on September 27th, was the only great-granddaughter of Comedic Star Lucille Ball and her husband Desi Arnaz Senior. Ball was an American actress who starred and produced the successful sitcoms, I love Lucy, The Lucy Show, Here’s Lucy, and Life with Lucy, as well as comedy TV specials under the banner of, The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour.
COMPLICATIONS SHORTENED THE BRIEF TIME SHE HAD LEFT TO LIVE
Initially diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer at the very young age of 25, she chose to undertake a double mastectomy and a course of chemotherapy which led to her going into remission. However two years ago the cancer returned this time as Stage 4 as it was discovered that it had spread to her lungs, liver and bones. Desiree’s mother, Julia Arnaz, 51 explained what she believed cut the brief time her daughter had left even shorter. ‘What went wrong is she kept getting fluid around her heart and then they kept doing surgeries and it would come back like two weeks later .. and this time they did the surgery and came back 12 hours later and (said) ‘You’ve got days, if hours.. So that was really tough… She probably would have been with us for a few more years . it was starting to spread a lot more, and the tumours were getting bigger – but we expected her to stay at least through the holidays.’ Arnaz said.
DESIREE COMMITTED HERSELF IN EDUCATING OTHERS THAT BREAST CANCER CAN AFFLICT ANYONE AND THAT BEING YOUNG NOT DOES NOT MAKE YOU IMMUNE TO THIS STEALTHY DISEASE
Anzalone dedicated herself to educating people that Breast Cancer is not a disease (as she stood testimony for) that only strikes those that are in an older age bracket. Anzalone strived to ‘give awareness for young girls her age because this does happen. It’s rare, but it does happen.’ Arnez said. ‘And Desiree wanted to put awareness out for if you feel anything, just because you’re a certain age, doesn’t mean that it can’t happen to somebody.’ As well as educating young people on the potential dangers of Breast Cancer, Anzalone was also a talented photographer and enjoyed playing guitar with her father, she also sang and did modelling photography. Arnaz described the moment her only daughter died as ‘peacefully’ though ‘watching her slip away was just, I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy. No mother should have to watch that.’
A BEAUTIFUL GIRL AND A MOTHERS ETERNAL BEST FRIEND
Desiree is survived by her many family members as well as her supportive fiance and caregiver, Chris Reynolds, who Arnaz says ‘never left her (daughters) side.’ and ‘was there with us when she passed….She was so beautiful, just so so beautiful inside and out.’ Arnaz describes her daughter as her best friend, ‘We were (best friends) we are still… I hope she comes to visit me from time to time, Now she can travel to all those places she wanted to see, but just come see me from time to time.’