Hello friends and family,

We write this note seeking your support for our dear mama, Mae Garcia, who is receiving end-of-life care after being diagnosed with brain cancer earlier this year. We wanted to provide you with an update on what she has been going through this past year. We thank you for your endless support, thoughts, and prayers.

In February 2024, Mae was taken to Mountainside Hospital Emergency Room after her family witnessed her struggling with mobility and cognition. There, testing and scans were performed, and seven irregularities in her brain were discovered. She was immediately admitted for continuous observation, and doctors performed a biopsy to verify the masses. As her family waited several weeks for results, Mae stayed under the care of Family of Caring in Montclair.

Mae was eventually diagnosed with CNS Lymphoma, a rare cancer that occurs in the lymph tissue of the brain. She was referred to John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center, where she was admitted for treatment. She was welcomed by a diligent and loving team of nurses, clinical partners, doctors, and therapists. The staff supported her and cheered her on as she showed strength battling the disease. For them, we are so thankful, as the care and heart that they put into their work made the difficult days of treatment bearable, and laughter became a part of Mae’s days again.

From March through August, Mae received 8 rounds of inpatient and outpatient chemotherapy. Many times, her treatments were delayed due to illnesses or side effects brought on by her weakened immune system. The symptoms of her condition also brought on many challenges as she began to lose the ability to consistently communicate, her mobility, and a great deal of muscle control. Between treatments, Mae resided in subacute care to support her needs as a patient. Her journey as a cancer patient has had its ups and downs, and through it all, Mae and her family remained strong, courageous, and hopeful.

In August, Mae discontinued treatment, allowing her and her family to focus on her comfort after the challenges of chemotherapy became too onerous on her body. Mae’s hospital visits continued as her immune system weakened further. Her family and medical team worked to focus on the stability of her health. However, her continuous health complications began to make it evident that maintaining her stability was becoming difficult.

Mae was a longtime nurse. Having studied in the Philippines, she came to the States and worked in several hospitals, including St. Mary’s in Passaic, Newark Beth Israel, and MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. After an MS diagnosis in the early 2000s, she brought her passion to several skilled nursing facilities until her retirement. More than all of this, Mae is and has continued to be a devoted mother to her three daughters, Femy Dianne, Geraldine (Gigi), and Victoria; loving wife to Arturo; encouraging second mom to her sons-in-law, Robert, Gerard, and Wojtek; warm-hearted tita to all her nieces and nephews; caring sister; loyal cousin; and friend to so many that she has crossed paths with in life.

Now, as Mae receives end-of-life care, we ask for support to help with her financial needs as she remains home during her final days in hospice care and ultimately for services after her passing. We thank you for your donations and know that she is so grateful for all who have been in her life.