Help us say goodbye to Danny
Donation protected
Dear Community,
My name is Elsie, and I am creating this page for my family - for my brother, my sister, and my nieces and nephew. 4 years ago I (the bride in the image below), an only child, married my husband and gained three sister and two brothers, a whole slough of nieces and a nephew. In our family there are no "in-laws" - my husband's three sisters are my sisters and their spouses are our brothers. In times of grief and trial we are always together - supporting each other and bearing one another's sorrows.
(Our family, April 2012)
2014 brought many struggles for our family. On the eve of 2014, our brother, Danny Moreno suffered a stroke at the young age of 39, in his home in Victorville, CA. There was no warning - there were no signs. Our sister, Cynthia (Pookie), was there with him and was able to react immediately and call for help - so that he was quickly attended to and air-lifted to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center.
The first few days were chaotic. Danny had to remain sedated, because the moment he would wake up he would immediately begin writhing around - trying to escape the hospital bed, the tubes, the machines... All of us packed up and headed to Victorville from LA to be with our family for as long as necessary - some of us stayied at the house with the kids and attending to their needs so that Pookie could be at the hospital with Danny.
a recent image of our sister, Cynthia (pookie) and Danny
(22 years ago)
He spent about two months in the hospital, and by the grace of God was then released to go home and recover, with a strict diet and much needed help to rehabilitate his damaged body.
About a week after he went home, my husband suffered a motorcycle accident at the end of January '14. We spent two grueling months at LACUSC Medical center, as my love went through 4 surgeries to reconstruct the lower part of his left leg, which he nearly lost. We too went home to begin rehabilitating. Shortly after, in March, Danny and Pookie and their 4 kids surprised us and showed up at the house to see my husband, Benjamin, and to celebrate Papa's (Grandpa's) 58th birthday. There were sweet tears as Danny and my husband greated each other. At this point, Danny was already able to slowly walk with a cane and was recovering beautifully, and my husband was just beginning a journey that he is still slowly treading.
my hubby, Benjamin on the left, and Danny on the right
Dan was warned that another stroke could occur at any time if he did not adhere to his strict diet and maintain a healthy lifestyle. For two-and-a-half years, both Danny and Benjamin have struggled, gaining small victories along the way, riding waves of grief and joy, pain and healing.
an image from this year of Danny, Pookie and their 4 kids. From the left: Alexis, Sophie, Danny and Cynthie
All of us on a Sunday night after church - this year
In June of this year, we celebrated the engagement of Danny and Pookie's oldest daughter. Pookie turned their living room into a mini dining hall, and Danny made carne asada and they welcomed their future in-laws and son into their home. We have all been planning a small family wedding.
There has been peace for a time. But on Sunday, July 24th, the wave came again. As Pookie and Danny relaxed in their room, Danny suffered a second stroke. As he sat at the edge of the bed, he told Pookie that he had just felt a terrible headache come on, and as he spoke, he began to slur his words. Pookie said to him "Gordo, you're having another stroke," and he began to weep in anguish and called out "no no no no" and collapsed on the bed. She jumped into action, and as before, Pookie and her two youngest children, both 15-years-old, witnessed as paramedics carried Dan out of the house and onto a helicoptor to return to Arrowhead Regional.
Again we made our way hurredly from LA to be with our family, but this time it is different. Danny is on life support after suffering a tremendous amount of bleeding in his brain stem. Sunday we all spent the day at the hospital, some of us leaving at 11pm and others not until after midnight to seek some rest. Our sister, Steph slept at the hospital so that Danny would not be alone, and so that she could relay any news that might be had overnight. Yesterday we all made our way back again after the doctors held a conference with Pookie and her eldest daughters - not sheding much hope for any sort of recovery. But we trust in Jesus Christ, and know that there is always hope. Yesterday the whole family stood around his bed and wept and prayed for Danny's life. There is nothing that the doctor's can do at this point, only God, if it is His will, can restore life to Dan. Our nieces and nephew are old enough now that they can understand the possibilities that loom over their heads, and the tasks and responsibilites that await them if the worst happens. We do our best to console them as the sadness and fear comes in waves. The doctors have put the burden on Pookie to decide if Dan is to be unplugged, as it seems that his life is gone and all that keeps him is synthetic life support. Our prayer is that God will wake and restore his life to him, or that he would take him peacefully so that the family does not have to bear that choice.
__________________________________________________________
My oldest niece shared this:
"You never really think that you'll ever go through hard times, but when you do you realize that in reality, thousands of people go through this daily.
My Dad has and always will be strong. Right now i just pray to God with all my heart that he takes care of my Dad no matter what it may come down to.
All that we have right now is Faith and Prayer. All we can do now is wait & see what God decides. I will always praise God in the good and bad times.
I'm beyond blessed to have such an amazing support system by my side. My mom, siblings and I are definitely going through a hard time & all i ask for is your prayers pleaaase.
I love you soooo much Dad!"
As we hope for the best, we prepare for the worst. Pookie has been the sole breadwinner for their family of 6 since Dan's first stroke, and has struggled since to pay a mortgage and make all other ends meet. I am here to make a call for support. Dan has no insurance, and there will be medical bills to pay, and the doctors have basically told us to make preparations for the inevitable. There is no need to describe the expenses that follow after such a loss - it makes me almost angry to think of it; that when one needs peace and rest most, there are so many relentless details to be dealt with and impossible costs to be covered. Pookie and her kids don't want to return to their home in Victorville, but want to come live with the family. The love of our family will be greater than the "how" - of that I can be certain. So, in the name of my family, of my Sister and nieces and nephew, I ask you for help. Please help to give some needed rest to our family. Countless families are in need in these times, I know, and we do not compare our needs and sorrows to other's; but if you feel compelled in your heart, please lend aid to my sister and her children.
My hope is this: that many shoulders would carry the burden, so the weight will become lighter for them.
Together in everything
Immeasurable and innumerable thanks and love to all who participate in this fundraiser and to all who would pray for our family.
"And when this mortal hath put on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: Death is swallowed up in victory." 1 Corinthians 15:14
My name is Elsie, and I am creating this page for my family - for my brother, my sister, and my nieces and nephew. 4 years ago I (the bride in the image below), an only child, married my husband and gained three sister and two brothers, a whole slough of nieces and a nephew. In our family there are no "in-laws" - my husband's three sisters are my sisters and their spouses are our brothers. In times of grief and trial we are always together - supporting each other and bearing one another's sorrows.
(Our family, April 2012)2014 brought many struggles for our family. On the eve of 2014, our brother, Danny Moreno suffered a stroke at the young age of 39, in his home in Victorville, CA. There was no warning - there were no signs. Our sister, Cynthia (Pookie), was there with him and was able to react immediately and call for help - so that he was quickly attended to and air-lifted to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center.
The first few days were chaotic. Danny had to remain sedated, because the moment he would wake up he would immediately begin writhing around - trying to escape the hospital bed, the tubes, the machines... All of us packed up and headed to Victorville from LA to be with our family for as long as necessary - some of us stayied at the house with the kids and attending to their needs so that Pookie could be at the hospital with Danny.
a recent image of our sister, Cynthia (pookie) and Danny (22 years ago)He spent about two months in the hospital, and by the grace of God was then released to go home and recover, with a strict diet and much needed help to rehabilitate his damaged body.
About a week after he went home, my husband suffered a motorcycle accident at the end of January '14. We spent two grueling months at LACUSC Medical center, as my love went through 4 surgeries to reconstruct the lower part of his left leg, which he nearly lost. We too went home to begin rehabilitating. Shortly after, in March, Danny and Pookie and their 4 kids surprised us and showed up at the house to see my husband, Benjamin, and to celebrate Papa's (Grandpa's) 58th birthday. There were sweet tears as Danny and my husband greated each other. At this point, Danny was already able to slowly walk with a cane and was recovering beautifully, and my husband was just beginning a journey that he is still slowly treading.
my hubby, Benjamin on the left, and Danny on the rightDan was warned that another stroke could occur at any time if he did not adhere to his strict diet and maintain a healthy lifestyle. For two-and-a-half years, both Danny and Benjamin have struggled, gaining small victories along the way, riding waves of grief and joy, pain and healing.
an image from this year of Danny, Pookie and their 4 kids. From the left: Alexis, Sophie, Danny and Cynthie All of us on a Sunday night after church - this year In June of this year, we celebrated the engagement of Danny and Pookie's oldest daughter. Pookie turned their living room into a mini dining hall, and Danny made carne asada and they welcomed their future in-laws and son into their home. We have all been planning a small family wedding.
There has been peace for a time. But on Sunday, July 24th, the wave came again. As Pookie and Danny relaxed in their room, Danny suffered a second stroke. As he sat at the edge of the bed, he told Pookie that he had just felt a terrible headache come on, and as he spoke, he began to slur his words. Pookie said to him "Gordo, you're having another stroke," and he began to weep in anguish and called out "no no no no" and collapsed on the bed. She jumped into action, and as before, Pookie and her two youngest children, both 15-years-old, witnessed as paramedics carried Dan out of the house and onto a helicoptor to return to Arrowhead Regional.
Again we made our way hurredly from LA to be with our family, but this time it is different. Danny is on life support after suffering a tremendous amount of bleeding in his brain stem. Sunday we all spent the day at the hospital, some of us leaving at 11pm and others not until after midnight to seek some rest. Our sister, Steph slept at the hospital so that Danny would not be alone, and so that she could relay any news that might be had overnight. Yesterday we all made our way back again after the doctors held a conference with Pookie and her eldest daughters - not sheding much hope for any sort of recovery. But we trust in Jesus Christ, and know that there is always hope. Yesterday the whole family stood around his bed and wept and prayed for Danny's life. There is nothing that the doctor's can do at this point, only God, if it is His will, can restore life to Dan. Our nieces and nephew are old enough now that they can understand the possibilities that loom over their heads, and the tasks and responsibilites that await them if the worst happens. We do our best to console them as the sadness and fear comes in waves. The doctors have put the burden on Pookie to decide if Dan is to be unplugged, as it seems that his life is gone and all that keeps him is synthetic life support. Our prayer is that God will wake and restore his life to him, or that he would take him peacefully so that the family does not have to bear that choice.
__________________________________________________________
My oldest niece shared this:
"You never really think that you'll ever go through hard times, but when you do you realize that in reality, thousands of people go through this daily.
My Dad has and always will be strong. Right now i just pray to God with all my heart that he takes care of my Dad no matter what it may come down to.
All that we have right now is Faith and Prayer. All we can do now is wait & see what God decides. I will always praise God in the good and bad times.
I'm beyond blessed to have such an amazing support system by my side. My mom, siblings and I are definitely going through a hard time & all i ask for is your prayers pleaaase.
I love you soooo much Dad!"
As we hope for the best, we prepare for the worst. Pookie has been the sole breadwinner for their family of 6 since Dan's first stroke, and has struggled since to pay a mortgage and make all other ends meet. I am here to make a call for support. Dan has no insurance, and there will be medical bills to pay, and the doctors have basically told us to make preparations for the inevitable. There is no need to describe the expenses that follow after such a loss - it makes me almost angry to think of it; that when one needs peace and rest most, there are so many relentless details to be dealt with and impossible costs to be covered. Pookie and her kids don't want to return to their home in Victorville, but want to come live with the family. The love of our family will be greater than the "how" - of that I can be certain. So, in the name of my family, of my Sister and nieces and nephew, I ask you for help. Please help to give some needed rest to our family. Countless families are in need in these times, I know, and we do not compare our needs and sorrows to other's; but if you feel compelled in your heart, please lend aid to my sister and her children.
My hope is this: that many shoulders would carry the burden, so the weight will become lighter for them.
Together in everythingImmeasurable and innumerable thanks and love to all who participate in this fundraiser and to all who would pray for our family.
"And when this mortal hath put on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: Death is swallowed up in victory." 1 Corinthians 15:14
Organiser and beneficiary
Elsie Christine Dardon Hughes
Organiser
Cynthia Moreno
Beneficiary