Hello, my name is Martha. I'm reaching out with something heavy on my heart about my grandpa, Gilbert Quijada Loya 

and it's not an easy story to share.

We are reaching out to you today with heavy hearts as we share news about our beloved grandfather's battle with gallbladder cancer. Our grandfather has always been the pillar of strength in our family, and now, as he faces this challenging diagnosis, we are coming together to support him in every way possible.

Meet my grandpa, hes 67 and been married to my grandma since they were practically kids at 15. Together, they built a life with two kids, nine grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.

Our grandfather is a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He has dedicated his life to caring for his family and serving his community. His kindness, wisdom, and resilience have touched the lives of everyone he has encountered. He is a hard worker, known for his great work ethic, unwavering attitude, as a pillar in the community, and the life of the party. He is reliable, always smiling, charismatic, and giving. He loves music and shares that love by being a part time DJ. Ensuring everyone has the time of their life. He loves adventure and freedom and is the type to ride his motorcycle off into the sunset.

In February 2024, grandpa began experiencing Dysphagia, eating was a real challenge. At first he thought it was just indigestion and heartburn until it reached the point where even water became a struggle to swallow. He started experiencing worse symptoms as time went on. Then on Superbowl Sunday he experienced extreme pain in his abdomonen and a high fever which caused him to collapse. He then went into the hospital and was rushed to emergency surgery on his gallbladder. We thought this was the end of it all, but we were wrong. So very wrong.

Concerned, the doctors conducted a biopsy and imaging. Additionally, we wanted further insight to what was happening. Af

ter a series of numerous scans and blood tests, cholangiography, a laparoscopy, and a PTC, the heartbreaking truth emerged – Grandpa was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic gallbladder cancer a week later.

It hit us all like a ton of bricks. Our family, once carefree is now grappling with the reality of cancer. Life, as we knew it, was put on hold as we focused on helping grandpa get better.

The past three months have been a rollercoaster of hope and then disappointment. Grandpa's resilience and humor in the face of the relentless, uncaring disease destroying his body slowly is nothing short of inspiring. He tries to be strong for us and tell us it's okay. But it's hard because you can see it. See it in his body, his face, his mannerisms, and in the doctors pitied looks. I have been doing everything I can to help him get better even looking at alternative methods.

He is experiencing painful neuropathy in his face, hands, and feet, brain fog, loss of appetite, extreme weight loss, and infections have become constant companions in this challenging journey.

Despite our collective efforts, the results have been heartbreaking. The tumours began on his gallbladder and moved to his liver and finally spreaded throughout his whole body. The reality is harsh – the oncologists have told us that his cancer is incurable, and cannot be surgically removed. His kidneys are failing and he is fighting an infection. Chemotherapy is no longer an option due to how weak he is and that it will kill him quicker.

Although we hope and pray we know time is limited especially with such an aggressive cancer. It's painful. So extremely painful for all of us. We don't want to say goodbye. We want more time, more smiles, and more jokes with him.

I never thought I'd find myself asking for help, but here I am. We have nowhere else to turn.

Gallbladder cancer is a formidable opponent, presenting numerous physical and emotional challenges for our grandfather and our family. The road ahead wil

l be difficult, but with your help, we know that together, we can provide him with the support and resources he needs to fight this disease with courage and determination.

Your support means the world to us. Whether it's sharing our story, contributing, or simply spreading the word – every bit counts.

So if you can lend a hand no matter how small, every donation will help to give our grandpa the precious gift of comfort and help ease his mind that his family will not fall into debt.

With heartfelt gratitude,

The Loya Family