Lorena Martinez Funeral Fund
Donation protected
Thank you for visiting my mom's gofundme page. My brother and I thank you for taking the time to learn more about how wonderful my mom was and what you can do to help.
Work-life
My mom was a strong and hard-working woman. She worked at Memorial Medical Center in Modesto, CA since the 1990's. She was a Nursing Assistant and worked in the Post-partum unit and in Same-day surgery. Often times working at least six or seven days a week to make ends meet. My mom was a workaholic, but she enjoyed her job and it brought her much joy. That is probably why my brother and I have such a strong work ethic. We know my mom sacrificed so much for us and we don't want to let her down.
Battle with Cancer
Back in December 2014, I had received the keys to my home. We were excited because I was a first-time home buyer and my mom was so proud. Three days later, as we are cleaning my house, mom started to have numbness on her right hand and leg. I begged her to go to the ER because I thought she was having a stroke, but she refused. The next day, she went to see her doctor and he sent her to the ER, and I'm glad she listened to him. The MRI revealed that she had a brain tumor. She was transferred to San Francisco, where they did a biopsy. It was confirmed that it was cancer and was diagnosed as an Anaplastic Astrocytoma. It was explained to me that it looks like an octopus. Has a center and many arms. Surgery was not an option. She was discharged from the hospital and we were in for a radiation consult on Christmas Eve. My mom moved into my house and my brother moved in to help me with her care.
Radiation was tough. It brought some headaches, burning pain, and mom lost her hair. She kept strong and would tell me that it was time for her to have a more modern hair cut. She was always staying positive and she had an infectious laugh. Once her hair started growing back, it grew back curly, and she loved it!
We also started oral chemotherapy and she hated it. The capsules would make her nauseous, and we would all have to mentally prepare ourselves for those days.
In January 2016, after about a year of treatments, we were told that her treatment at the time was no longer working and the tumor was growing. We started another oral chemotherapy treatment. This one was more aggressive and had more side effects. After two cycles, it was not working either.
In May 2016, we then got into UCSF. Mom got weaker and the numbness on the right hand and leg came back. It was time to alter the treatment. We added IV chemo. The side effects of both chemotherapies took a toll on mom's body. Mom became very weak and her blood counts decreased. She was hospitalized about a week and a half ago. We saw minimal improvement and then a sharp decline. She passed away on Monday, June 20th, 2016 in the evening with her loving family by her side.
Family
My mother leaves behind two children, myself and my brother Alex, as well as a grandson, Izaiah. Her mother Delia and six living siblings: Cecilia, Jose Andres, Gregoria, Francisco, Magdalena, and Isaias.
Any money will go a long way to cover funeral/burial expenses.
Work-life
My mom was a strong and hard-working woman. She worked at Memorial Medical Center in Modesto, CA since the 1990's. She was a Nursing Assistant and worked in the Post-partum unit and in Same-day surgery. Often times working at least six or seven days a week to make ends meet. My mom was a workaholic, but she enjoyed her job and it brought her much joy. That is probably why my brother and I have such a strong work ethic. We know my mom sacrificed so much for us and we don't want to let her down.
Battle with Cancer
Back in December 2014, I had received the keys to my home. We were excited because I was a first-time home buyer and my mom was so proud. Three days later, as we are cleaning my house, mom started to have numbness on her right hand and leg. I begged her to go to the ER because I thought she was having a stroke, but she refused. The next day, she went to see her doctor and he sent her to the ER, and I'm glad she listened to him. The MRI revealed that she had a brain tumor. She was transferred to San Francisco, where they did a biopsy. It was confirmed that it was cancer and was diagnosed as an Anaplastic Astrocytoma. It was explained to me that it looks like an octopus. Has a center and many arms. Surgery was not an option. She was discharged from the hospital and we were in for a radiation consult on Christmas Eve. My mom moved into my house and my brother moved in to help me with her care.
Radiation was tough. It brought some headaches, burning pain, and mom lost her hair. She kept strong and would tell me that it was time for her to have a more modern hair cut. She was always staying positive and she had an infectious laugh. Once her hair started growing back, it grew back curly, and she loved it!
We also started oral chemotherapy and she hated it. The capsules would make her nauseous, and we would all have to mentally prepare ourselves for those days.
In January 2016, after about a year of treatments, we were told that her treatment at the time was no longer working and the tumor was growing. We started another oral chemotherapy treatment. This one was more aggressive and had more side effects. After two cycles, it was not working either.
In May 2016, we then got into UCSF. Mom got weaker and the numbness on the right hand and leg came back. It was time to alter the treatment. We added IV chemo. The side effects of both chemotherapies took a toll on mom's body. Mom became very weak and her blood counts decreased. She was hospitalized about a week and a half ago. We saw minimal improvement and then a sharp decline. She passed away on Monday, June 20th, 2016 in the evening with her loving family by her side.
Family
My mother leaves behind two children, myself and my brother Alex, as well as a grandson, Izaiah. Her mother Delia and six living siblings: Cecilia, Jose Andres, Gregoria, Francisco, Magdalena, and Isaias.
Any money will go a long way to cover funeral/burial expenses.
Organiser
Rick Garcia
Organiser
Ceres, CA