Ortega Family Medical Bill Fund
Donation protected
En español abajo
"You get what you give. So give good."
My name is Marit Ortega, mother of three beautiful children (and 2 adopted dogs, 2 ferrets, a guinea pig and a bunch of feeder goldfish that daughter Lara "saved") and devoted wife of 13 years to Carlos Ortega. I have been extremely blessed in life. The fact that this is the first time in my 36 years that I have had to ask for substantial help is a testament to that. I have tried to live as giving of a life as I can, devoting my professional career to a nonprofit organization, sharing my home and heart for 7 years to fostering both children and adults, and taking in countless animals in need. I have heard, "you get what you give," so I hope I have given good, because it's time to set aside my pride and ask for help.
On December 5th, my husband Carlos was told he had a large tumor in his colon. The following week, our fears were confirmed that it was cancerous. More tests determined that it had also spread to his liver. He has been undergoing chemotherapy treatment since mid-December and has just been told that the tumors have shrunk enough to schedule surgery. He will need to see specialists in Minneapolis for this surgery, and we are currently waiting to be fit in to their schedule. His prognosis is very good, and the doctors say the cancer was caught early enough and he should be just fine.
That's the bones of it. Now for the meat. We have had to cancel our family vacation to Florida. Up until recently, Carlos has been on a liquid diet and has not been able to enjoy family meals, including Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner. He has lost almost 40 pounds. Among the many very negative side effects, the chemotherapy has made him extremely tired, making a social life non-existant and family time limited to movies at home. Cancer is an ugly beast...
On top of the emotional roller coaster, the bills have started rolling in. Carlos and I are young and, up until now, have been quite healthy. When choosing our health insurance plan, we went with the plan that had the lowest fees per month and the highest deductible and max out-of-pocket fees. Boy is hindsight 20-20! In less than a month, we reached our max annual out-of-pocket fee of $4,500 for 2015 and will reach it again in no time for 2016. Our tight budget has become even tighter - as if dealing with cancer isn't stressful enough!
Out of respect for Carlos' wishes, we have not told many people about this until just recently, so I apologize to any of our friends and loved ones if this is the first time you are hearing of this. He did NOT want anyone worrying about him, and still doesn't. While prayers and well-wishes are greatly appreciated, he asks that people remain positive and focus on seeing him healthy again.
Thank you, in advance, for supporting us in whatever way you can, whether that be with a monetary gift or just a kind word of support. You get what you give, and I promise it will come back to you some day! This truly has been a humbling experience for us, and we are grateful for the love and support of our wonderful family and friends.
With love,
Marit Ortega
“Recibes lo que das. Por eso, da bien”.
Mi nombre es Marit Ortega, madre de tres niños hermosos ( y 2 perros adoptados, 2 hurones, un conejillo de indias, y un montón de peces dorados que mi hija Lara “salvo”) y devote esposa por 13 años de Carlos Ortega. He sido bendecida al extremo en la vida. El hecho de que ésta es la primera vez en mis 36 años que he tenido que pedir ayuda es prueba de ello. He tratado de vivir tan generosamente como puedo, dedicando mi carrera profesional a una organización sin fines de lucro, compartiendo mi casa y mi corazón por 7 años albergando niños y adultos, y cuidando incontables animales necesitados. He escuchado que recibes lo que das. Por eso, espero haber dado bien porque es hora de poner de lado mi orgullo y pedir ayuda.
El 5 de diciembre mi esposo Carlos se enteró de que tenía un tumor grande en el colon. La siguiente semana, nuestros miedos fueron confirmados de que es cancerígeno. Exámenes adicionales determinaron que también se pasó para el hígado. Él ha estado en tratamiento de quimioterapia desde mediados de diciembre y le han dicho recientemente que los tumores se han reducido lo suficiente para programar la cirujía. El tendrá que ver especialistas en otra ciudad para esta cirujía y estamos a la espera de que sea programada. Su prognosis es buena y los doctores dicen que descubrimos el cáncer a tiempo por lo que él estará bien.
Ahora al grano. Aparte del sacudón emocional, las cuentas han empezado a llegar. Carlos y yo estamos jóvenes y, hasta ahora, hemos sido muy saludables. Por ello, cuando escogimos el plan de seguro médico, escogimos el plan que tenía el menor cargo mensual, con el mayor deducible. En menos de un mes, alcanzamos el máximo deducible de $4,500 por el 2015 y otros $4,500 por el 2016. Nuestro presupuesto modesto se ha apretado – como si lidiar con cáncer no fuese suficiente estrés!
Por respeto a los deseos de Carlos, no le habíamos dicho a casi nadie sobre esto hasta recientemente, por lo que le pido disculpas a nuestros amigos y seres queridos si se acaban de enterar. El NO quería, ni quiere, que nadie se preocupara. Aunque oraciones y buenos deseos son bien apreciados, El pide que se mantengan positivos y se enfoquen en verlo sano de nuevo.
Les agradezco por adelantado por su apoyo de la manera que puedan, bien sea con una contribución monetaria o una simple palabra de aliento. Recibes lo que das y prometo que regresará a ustedes algún día. Esta ha sido verdaderamente una experiencia de humildad y estamos agradecidos por el amor y el apoyo de nuestros asombrosos familiares y amigos.
Con amor,
Marit Ortega
"You get what you give. So give good."
My name is Marit Ortega, mother of three beautiful children (and 2 adopted dogs, 2 ferrets, a guinea pig and a bunch of feeder goldfish that daughter Lara "saved") and devoted wife of 13 years to Carlos Ortega. I have been extremely blessed in life. The fact that this is the first time in my 36 years that I have had to ask for substantial help is a testament to that. I have tried to live as giving of a life as I can, devoting my professional career to a nonprofit organization, sharing my home and heart for 7 years to fostering both children and adults, and taking in countless animals in need. I have heard, "you get what you give," so I hope I have given good, because it's time to set aside my pride and ask for help.
On December 5th, my husband Carlos was told he had a large tumor in his colon. The following week, our fears were confirmed that it was cancerous. More tests determined that it had also spread to his liver. He has been undergoing chemotherapy treatment since mid-December and has just been told that the tumors have shrunk enough to schedule surgery. He will need to see specialists in Minneapolis for this surgery, and we are currently waiting to be fit in to their schedule. His prognosis is very good, and the doctors say the cancer was caught early enough and he should be just fine.
That's the bones of it. Now for the meat. We have had to cancel our family vacation to Florida. Up until recently, Carlos has been on a liquid diet and has not been able to enjoy family meals, including Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner. He has lost almost 40 pounds. Among the many very negative side effects, the chemotherapy has made him extremely tired, making a social life non-existant and family time limited to movies at home. Cancer is an ugly beast...
On top of the emotional roller coaster, the bills have started rolling in. Carlos and I are young and, up until now, have been quite healthy. When choosing our health insurance plan, we went with the plan that had the lowest fees per month and the highest deductible and max out-of-pocket fees. Boy is hindsight 20-20! In less than a month, we reached our max annual out-of-pocket fee of $4,500 for 2015 and will reach it again in no time for 2016. Our tight budget has become even tighter - as if dealing with cancer isn't stressful enough!
Out of respect for Carlos' wishes, we have not told many people about this until just recently, so I apologize to any of our friends and loved ones if this is the first time you are hearing of this. He did NOT want anyone worrying about him, and still doesn't. While prayers and well-wishes are greatly appreciated, he asks that people remain positive and focus on seeing him healthy again.
Thank you, in advance, for supporting us in whatever way you can, whether that be with a monetary gift or just a kind word of support. You get what you give, and I promise it will come back to you some day! This truly has been a humbling experience for us, and we are grateful for the love and support of our wonderful family and friends.
With love,
Marit Ortega
“Recibes lo que das. Por eso, da bien”.
Mi nombre es Marit Ortega, madre de tres niños hermosos ( y 2 perros adoptados, 2 hurones, un conejillo de indias, y un montón de peces dorados que mi hija Lara “salvo”) y devote esposa por 13 años de Carlos Ortega. He sido bendecida al extremo en la vida. El hecho de que ésta es la primera vez en mis 36 años que he tenido que pedir ayuda es prueba de ello. He tratado de vivir tan generosamente como puedo, dedicando mi carrera profesional a una organización sin fines de lucro, compartiendo mi casa y mi corazón por 7 años albergando niños y adultos, y cuidando incontables animales necesitados. He escuchado que recibes lo que das. Por eso, espero haber dado bien porque es hora de poner de lado mi orgullo y pedir ayuda.
El 5 de diciembre mi esposo Carlos se enteró de que tenía un tumor grande en el colon. La siguiente semana, nuestros miedos fueron confirmados de que es cancerígeno. Exámenes adicionales determinaron que también se pasó para el hígado. Él ha estado en tratamiento de quimioterapia desde mediados de diciembre y le han dicho recientemente que los tumores se han reducido lo suficiente para programar la cirujía. El tendrá que ver especialistas en otra ciudad para esta cirujía y estamos a la espera de que sea programada. Su prognosis es buena y los doctores dicen que descubrimos el cáncer a tiempo por lo que él estará bien.
Ahora al grano. Aparte del sacudón emocional, las cuentas han empezado a llegar. Carlos y yo estamos jóvenes y, hasta ahora, hemos sido muy saludables. Por ello, cuando escogimos el plan de seguro médico, escogimos el plan que tenía el menor cargo mensual, con el mayor deducible. En menos de un mes, alcanzamos el máximo deducible de $4,500 por el 2015 y otros $4,500 por el 2016. Nuestro presupuesto modesto se ha apretado – como si lidiar con cáncer no fuese suficiente estrés!
Por respeto a los deseos de Carlos, no le habíamos dicho a casi nadie sobre esto hasta recientemente, por lo que le pido disculpas a nuestros amigos y seres queridos si se acaban de enterar. El NO quería, ni quiere, que nadie se preocupara. Aunque oraciones y buenos deseos son bien apreciados, El pide que se mantengan positivos y se enfoquen en verlo sano de nuevo.
Les agradezco por adelantado por su apoyo de la manera que puedan, bien sea con una contribución monetaria o una simple palabra de aliento. Recibes lo que das y prometo que regresará a ustedes algún día. Esta ha sido verdaderamente una experiencia de humildad y estamos agradecidos por el amor y el apoyo de nuestros asombrosos familiares y amigos.
Con amor,
Marit Ortega
Organizer
Marit Ortega
Organizer
Saint Cloud, MN