RIP Gabriela "Gaby" Lemus-Cancino ♡
***For Information on Gaby's Visitation/Funeral Click Here***
July 30, 1997 - July 16, 2017
I know that no amount of money can make sense of this situation, but I started this GoFundMe page in order to help support her family with the expenses they have accumulated. Please keep Gaby in your prayers and if you do attend the funeral, her family ask that you do not wear black.
Gaby Lemus was a daughter, a sister, a girlfriend, and a friend to many. She attended South Sioux City High School and continued her education at the University of Nebraska at Omaha for math/secondary education. Her specialty includes making the people around her laugh and feel an unimaginable amount of love.
On July 16, 2017, Gaby's life was cut short when she lost her 9 months battle and joined God in Heaven; she was surrounded by her family and closest friends.
Being only 19, Gaby had so much to live for. I’m really bad at putting my thoughts into words and also how to get my feelings across. Regardless, saying that “this isn’t fair” will not change anything for anyone. I’m sad and heartbroken, but I do believe she is in a better place.
Gaby's story:
College is a wonderful time for many students. True, it is stressful, but it’s also supposed to be the greatest years of one’s life. This was not the case for my roommate/brother’s girlfriend Gaby. Around October of 2016, she got diagnosed with brain cancer. Believe me when I say hers, my life, and everyone else’s was a rollercoaster. Yet, not once did she complained. She continued to smile.
She got better through treatment and eventually they told us that the tumor “shrank,” but on April 10th, my brother took Gaby into the hospital because she was experiencing back pain. When the results of the MRI came back, we received news that cancer had spread to her spine through her spinal fluids; doctors told us there was only a 2-3% chance of this occurrence. She could have lost the ability to walk had we found out too late.
On Friday, June 9th, Gaby went in for another routine appointment. The tumor on her spine got better, but because the focus shifted towards her spine, the tumor in her brain got a little worse. Thanks to her blood count being back up, the doctors continued chemotherapy. The catch, though, is that it was the BEST one they had and also the last resort; As soon as it becomes ineffective against her cancer, her lifespan will be measured in only months...
Because she missed so much school for treatments, she had to take two semesters in one on top of her conditions. She also had a rising medical debt, but she continued to smile for her family, for my brother… everyone.
As I stated above... On July 16, 2017, Gaby's life was cut short when she lost her 9 months battle and joined God in Heaven; she was surrounded by her family and closest friends.
Thus far, I may not have been blessed with luck in life, but I have been lucky enough to have Gaby in it. Even though she was put into this situation, she accepted this reality and believed God was watching over her. Now, she gets to live with Him in Heaven.
Hey Gabs,
I am grateful you waited for me to come home from Omaha so that I was able to spend three days in the hospital with you. It was only three days, but it felt like I enjoyed an eternity with you. I am grateful I was able to hold your hand and tell you what I could never say to you before. Mostly, I am grateful that I got to hug you one last time and that I was by your side when you set off on your journey to Heaven.
Truth of the matter is that you're now in a better place. I am heartbroken and I feel lost without you, but you'll ALWAYS be in my mind and in my heart. The beginning of our friendship was rocky, but because we decided to become roommates for the 2016-2017 school year, I got to know the real you. You made the first year of college less stressful and FUN. I got to know how gentle, kind, caring, funny, and SAVAGE you are. I got to enjoy all your hugs and random bursts of Christmas songs even when it wasn't even Christmas. We became so close that you stopped hesitating when you wanted to share a gross fact about yourself to me. We would always team up and scold Jimmy together when he acts like a 5-year-old. You would always ask your mom to make "Abuelita" with extra chocolate for me because you knew how much I love that drink, so I would have to drink "Abuelita" for breakfast, lunch, and dinner haha. The times I took you to one of your appointments, you would buy me a Starbucks or breakfast sandwich to say thanks, but I would tell you that your health is nothing to repay me for. It made me so happy that you cared for me; it breaks my heart that you won't be able to open the last text or the last snap I sent to you.
We made so many plans for the coming school year, but God had other plans for you. I'm still trying to cope, but hey Gab? I promise to fulfill all our plans and when I come visit you, I will tell you all about them ok?
You are STRONG and you are one of the most wonderful blessings of my life.
You are my brother's girlfriend, my roommate, my friend.... but on July 16th I lost my only sister.
I miss you... but I can't say goodbye.
Instead, I will say "see you later." God allowed me to meet you in this lifetime, so I know we WILL see each other again.
You are my "Savage Gab", my "Mama Gab," and above all... the paragon of a TRUE friend.
I love you, Gabs. ♡
Rest in Peace.
~ Brenda
