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Hi, my name is Crystal Gomez, and I'm making this account on behalf of my family. It pains me to write this but here it goes. August 23, 2016 changed my family’s life forever. On this date, my younger brother, Alfonso, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. We don't know how something like this could happen but like the doctors said, "Cancer is unpredictable." A week before his diagnosis, he was suffering with terrible back pain to the point of not being able to walk followed by vomiting almost everyday. When he went to the hospital the doctors didn't take him seriously, so they gave him over the counter medicine. They stated he may have nerve damage, but as the unbearable days went on, my mom took him to Kaiser ER in Walnut Creek. There they did blood work to see what the problem was. When the test results came back, we knew things weren’t going to be the same...
I was at work when I got a text message from Alfonso saying that he was being transferred to a hospital in Oakland because the doctors said that he may have cancer. My first reaction was there’s no way this could have happened to my lively younger brother. The next day when I called my mom to see if he was okay, I heard her let out a small cry and said it was not good news. Immediately, I rushed to Oakland. I tried so hard to hold in my emotions. When I arrived, he was barely conscious from all the medication. My mom urged me to go in the room and talk to my baby brother. I just couldn’t go in the room and see him suffering, so I walked out of the room. My mom comforted me and told me that even though we are suffering from our pain, this is a time to be strong for Alfonso.
For the first few days, he was on so much medication, he was in and out of sleep. He wasn’t able to eat anything in fear of vomiting. His eyes were so puffy because he was so weak from all the energy spent from vomiting. He had a small surgery inserting tubes that connect to his heart where he would start receiving his chemo through which is called a pick. After his first round of chemo he said he felt better, but he still had pain in his arm and eyes which caused blood clots. The chemo would not only be killing his bad cells, but his good cells too.
After a week, we tried to motivate him to get out of bed and to walk around. He succeeded at his own pace. The nurses were impressed with the progress. Slowly he began getting his appetite back again. In these two weeks there was not a day that my mom left that hospital. She slept there every night, never leaving his sight.
My mom and I met with the doctors. They explained in detail what Alfonso's life will be like going through the chemo process. I sat in this room filled with specialist talking about all the different type of medication Alfonso would be taking and how chemo would affect him. I couldn’t help but cry when they explained how his life
was going to change. Alfonso will be going through the process of chemo and medication for the next three years. Causing his hair to fall out and his skin color to change as well as many other changes.
These past few weeks, my mom and I have spent countless hours with nurses teaching us how to care for the tubes in Alfonso’s arms and what to do in the case of an emergency. I could tell my mom was very tired and nervous about all the things she was going to be responsible for. It was scary and all new to us. It is a huge responsibility. As soon as my mom and I learned these procedures, Alfonso would be coming home with us.
Today, Alfonso is home and currently taking 10 different medications a day. He receives injections through his arm every single day. Every week he has to get his blood drawn and be taken to the clinic for his chemo treatment. His body is very weak and at any point could get very ill from bacteria or anyone being sick around him. My mom is devoting all of her time for the next few months to care for Alfonso. She will be taking time off from work as she will be taking Alfonso to countless doctors’ appointments as well as helping with his pick in his arm to make sure he gets his injections that he can't do himself.
My heart aches continuously watching my brother go through this ordeal. However, he keeps a serene look on his face and reassures us that he will be okay. I know inside he is suffering with unimaginable pain. He is the bravest person I know right now. Alfonso won't be able to be in crowded places and if so he has to walk around wearing a mask and gloves in fear of him contracting something. If he has a nose bleed he has to be rushed into the emergency room because there’s a chance he could over bleed. Alfonso can’t be in the same room as anyone who might be sick. Alfonso won't be able to continue his first year of college. Alfonso has to be cautious about every little thing he does for the next three years. That is no way to live.
My oldest brother and I are doing everything we can to take care of him and make sure he has everything he needs to feel comfortable. We love our little brother and pray every day he will be able to push through this illness.
I'm setting up this account, so my mom doesn't have to worry so much about all of our bills and her missed work. The medication for Alfonso is very costly. Even though my mom says she is not worried about money because she is just worrying about being there for her son, I know we need help with his expenses.
Since the day Alfonso was admitted to the hospital, he's has been surrounded with love and support from friends and family. We're so blessed with the support we've been given already.
To anyone who can help my family as this time, it would be greatly appreciated. It doesn’t matter what the amount is that you can spare for Alfonso. Every little amount adds up to much more. Please do not worry if you can only give a small amount, we appreciate every donation.
We continue to need your love, support and prayers for Alfonso. Money isn't our biggest worry at the moment, we also need Alfonso to feel loved and supported.
My family thanks you from the bottom of our hearts for any donation, prayer, or card you can send to Alfonso. We appreciate all your help. May God Bless you all.
I was at work when I got a text message from Alfonso saying that he was being transferred to a hospital in Oakland because the doctors said that he may have cancer. My first reaction was there’s no way this could have happened to my lively younger brother. The next day when I called my mom to see if he was okay, I heard her let out a small cry and said it was not good news. Immediately, I rushed to Oakland. I tried so hard to hold in my emotions. When I arrived, he was barely conscious from all the medication. My mom urged me to go in the room and talk to my baby brother. I just couldn’t go in the room and see him suffering, so I walked out of the room. My mom comforted me and told me that even though we are suffering from our pain, this is a time to be strong for Alfonso.
For the first few days, he was on so much medication, he was in and out of sleep. He wasn’t able to eat anything in fear of vomiting. His eyes were so puffy because he was so weak from all the energy spent from vomiting. He had a small surgery inserting tubes that connect to his heart where he would start receiving his chemo through which is called a pick. After his first round of chemo he said he felt better, but he still had pain in his arm and eyes which caused blood clots. The chemo would not only be killing his bad cells, but his good cells too.
After a week, we tried to motivate him to get out of bed and to walk around. He succeeded at his own pace. The nurses were impressed with the progress. Slowly he began getting his appetite back again. In these two weeks there was not a day that my mom left that hospital. She slept there every night, never leaving his sight.
My mom and I met with the doctors. They explained in detail what Alfonso's life will be like going through the chemo process. I sat in this room filled with specialist talking about all the different type of medication Alfonso would be taking and how chemo would affect him. I couldn’t help but cry when they explained how his life
was going to change. Alfonso will be going through the process of chemo and medication for the next three years. Causing his hair to fall out and his skin color to change as well as many other changes.
These past few weeks, my mom and I have spent countless hours with nurses teaching us how to care for the tubes in Alfonso’s arms and what to do in the case of an emergency. I could tell my mom was very tired and nervous about all the things she was going to be responsible for. It was scary and all new to us. It is a huge responsibility. As soon as my mom and I learned these procedures, Alfonso would be coming home with us.
Today, Alfonso is home and currently taking 10 different medications a day. He receives injections through his arm every single day. Every week he has to get his blood drawn and be taken to the clinic for his chemo treatment. His body is very weak and at any point could get very ill from bacteria or anyone being sick around him. My mom is devoting all of her time for the next few months to care for Alfonso. She will be taking time off from work as she will be taking Alfonso to countless doctors’ appointments as well as helping with his pick in his arm to make sure he gets his injections that he can't do himself.
My heart aches continuously watching my brother go through this ordeal. However, he keeps a serene look on his face and reassures us that he will be okay. I know inside he is suffering with unimaginable pain. He is the bravest person I know right now. Alfonso won't be able to be in crowded places and if so he has to walk around wearing a mask and gloves in fear of him contracting something. If he has a nose bleed he has to be rushed into the emergency room because there’s a chance he could over bleed. Alfonso can’t be in the same room as anyone who might be sick. Alfonso won't be able to continue his first year of college. Alfonso has to be cautious about every little thing he does for the next three years. That is no way to live.
My oldest brother and I are doing everything we can to take care of him and make sure he has everything he needs to feel comfortable. We love our little brother and pray every day he will be able to push through this illness.
I'm setting up this account, so my mom doesn't have to worry so much about all of our bills and her missed work. The medication for Alfonso is very costly. Even though my mom says she is not worried about money because she is just worrying about being there for her son, I know we need help with his expenses.
Since the day Alfonso was admitted to the hospital, he's has been surrounded with love and support from friends and family. We're so blessed with the support we've been given already.
To anyone who can help my family as this time, it would be greatly appreciated. It doesn’t matter what the amount is that you can spare for Alfonso. Every little amount adds up to much more. Please do not worry if you can only give a small amount, we appreciate every donation.
We continue to need your love, support and prayers for Alfonso. Money isn't our biggest worry at the moment, we also need Alfonso to feel loved and supported.
My family thanks you from the bottom of our hearts for any donation, prayer, or card you can send to Alfonso. We appreciate all your help. May God Bless you all.
Organizer
Crystal Gomez
Organizer
Concord, CA
