My mom was dealing with a lot of challenging chronic health issues for the last decade. Those who know me, know the rough journey supporting her and all the different ways she needed treatment and care. As the years went by, her liver disease and respiratory issues progressed and her capacity to understand and keep up with medication and therapy became worst. She was constantly in and out of the hospital, nursing facility and home due to her many falls, injuries and fluctuating ammonia levels. She was in constant ache and pain in the last 5-7 years of her life.

This last trip to the ER resulted in the very hard reality that her ammonia levels were super high and the damage to her liver was in the final stages of liver failure. The only options the dr presented was to be fully intubated and in pain or to pass away comfortably. That was a really hard reality to hold, but we wanted mom to be as comfortable as we could make her. She suffered for so long and now she is pain free.

I am beyond grateful for the communities that have held me and my family in big and small ways and continue to do so. Because of you all, my family and I were able to spend her last hours by her side and share our love, goodbyes and grief together.

The next phase of the process is her funeral/burial arrangements and getting her affairs in order. A great deal of time and energy was spent getting her through the day to day- navigating her constantly changing mental state and doing the best possible to manage her pills, drs appts, address when her ammonia levels would rise and when she would fall/need periods of advance care and constant check ins. Funeral and after life care planning and expenses just wasn't on the queue. I know there is still a lot of work to figure out in order to put her body to rest as she is the fourth sibling in her family to have passed in the last five years. There is still much to organize and clear out due to the immense amount of clutter she accumulated due to the declining nature of her conditions.

Please share this and know whatever you donate is always more than enough. All funds will help my family and I give my mom the services she deserves to honor her life and beautiful moments of joy without stressing about the ability to afford anything. The rest will help my family and I with back and forth travel expenses, basic care and managing/delegating the support we need to tend to the rest of the things mom left behind. Sending so much love and appreciation to every single one of you. Thank you for showering my family with so much community care and love.

My mom is with her sisters, my dad, her friends, my tios, my cousins and grand parents. I know she is all dolled up from head to toe and dancing up a storm with the most beautiful views and having such a blast.

::Memorial Services::

Celebration of Life for Alicia Hernandez

Friday December 5, 2025

12PM-4PM

Ave Maria Memorial Chapel

Watsonville, CA

Thank you so much for your patience and grace while we move through this new chapter in life.