A Loving Goodbye: Help Support Popi and Our Family

Hi everyone! We’ve created this GoFundMe to relieve some financial burden for our mom, whom many of you know as Popi, and for our family.

Unfortunately and sadly, while visiting family in Puerto Rico mom developed some sudden neurological changes. On November 9th, she was diagnosed with a brain tumor. We got her back to Michigan on the 10th and later found out the tumor was Primary CNS B-Cell lymphoma. Less than 2-3% of brain tumors are this type. Since this heart crushing diagnosis she’s been taken care of by a wonderful group of oncologists, nurses and neurosurgeons in Traverse City. At that time they gave us good news that treatments could lead to a cure.

So we got to it, and she started her chemotherapy on December 2nd. The regimen had a high risk for complications such as kidney failure, so it required her to be in the hospital for 6-7 days, and then a week “off” with oral chemo pills, and the cycle repeated. She has also been on very high doses of steroids for 3 months to keep the tumor swelling down so that she doesn’t keep losing her speech, prevent seizures and brain herniation.

Mom is such a fighter and with dad’s help, she went thru 4 rounds of chemo (8weeks). This means over the past 3 months she has spent about 30+ days in the hospital and multiple other days getting ports placed, imaging, blood draws and going to doctor’s appts. My dad has been by her side 24/7.

Unfortunately, after the 4th cycle, mom started having worsening neurological symptoms and imaging showed the tumor didn’t have enough of a response. We consulted Michigan Medicine, and as long as she stayed stable on steroids we had a plan B, but unfortunately she did not stay stable.

On February 1st, we took her back to the ER because she was deteriorating. More imaging was done and unfortunately the swelling and tumor had grown and were causing more pressure on the brain, so they placed her in the ICU. After much discussion, tears and specialist’s input. Mom has decided that her earthly life has reached its last chapter and has decided to be placed on hospice.

For those of you who know our mom, you know she lives for helping others, and would drop anything if anyone needed her. Especially if it involves one of her 4 kids or her 8 grandchildren. She loves pictures, family get togethers, inviting all of her kids’ friends over for sleepovers, carting us around everywhere, watching/coaching grandkids sports and basically anything that includes making her kids and husband of 41 yrs happy. It’s been hard for her to be on the other side of the fence and have others take care of her. She is a special lady and so loved by so many!

As you can imagine this journey has come with immense emotional and financial challenges; high deductibles which restart at the beginning of the year, max out pockets and medication costs to name a few. The Cowell cancer center and hospice house have been amazing in trying to get us some financial aid which alleviates some of the burden, but not all. If you find it in your financial abilities and would like to help offset some of the financial burden for my parents/family during this difficult time my family would greatly appreciate it. And if you aren’t able we completely understand, and welcome any and all prayers for peace, calm and comfort for mom especially, but our dad and us as well. We aren’t sure how we will navigate life without her, but we will strive to love our kids with the unconditional love she gives us.

Life is precious and unpredictable! Go live it! And love on your loved ones a little extra!

If you have any messages you would like us to relay to mom or memories or photos please only text one of us kids or direct message us on Facebook.

Much love,

Maria, Hector, Jose and Paula