My Mom, Cynthia Avalos, was a healthy 70 year old woman until just a few short weeks before being diagnosed with a grade 4 glioblastoma tumor. When I began to see signs that her health was changing, we started with diet and getting her a new primary care doctor. Little did I know that within two weeks - before we could have her follow-up with her new primary care - we would be in the Emergency Room, where life changed instantly. We entered the ER on September 30th. I finally got her home on October 13th.

My mom will lose a very short battle with glioblastoma, in the coming days. This is a fight we didn't know we were in, until after surgery to remove a very aggressive tumor. Her neurosurgeon at UNC Chapel Hill, Dr. Dominque Higgins, and the outstanding professionals at UNC Hospitals, gave me a little more time with my mom. I will be forever grateful for their expertise and the time they gave me. But the tumor is very aggressive. My mom is currently with me at home, on hospice care. I expect to say goodbye much sooner than I imagined.

Currently on furlough from the federal government, I am grateful for the time with her. But planning for funeral expenses and travel to California for a small memorial with family, after a memorial here, is not something I was planning for financially or timing wise. Additionally, I will have to clear out her apartment, move some of her belongings to Virginia, and ensure her apartment is ready to go w/in 30-days of her passing. Mom & me were going to have some of these planning conversations (we were discussing it) when I came down to NC to help with her appointments and referrals. I didn't know of course, that I would instead spend two weeks at Chapel Hill, with her, before bringing her home on hospice care.

As I face the loss of my mom, while still processing & living with the grief of losing my dad & brother - it's hard to ask for help. But any way that you can help will make a difference. Some funds have been donated through Meal Train. What I don't use for meals/groceries, will go toward her funeral expenses. Daily parking at the hospital, gas, & sometimes 3 meals a day at the hospital, were unexpected expenses, so the Meal Train was a huge relief with that popping up too.

My mom is a sweet, kind person who did everything in her power & ability to take care of Matt and me in a loving and caring home. She raised us in the best way she knew how and we were in church with her - just about every time the doors opened. :) I know my mom's faith in Jesus has sustained her, her entire adult life. She has a hope beyond this life & that gives me some sense of comfort, because I know that is a comfort to her too.

My greatest hope is that her tender heart will be entirely at peace in these last moments - as she prepares to be in heaven & reunited with my brother and my grandparents.

I wanted to say a quick thank-you to the following people who have done so much for us. From two of our Onslow ED nurses (Miguel & I wish I could remember the gentleman's name who has the experience w/brain tumor/neurosurgery patients) to UNC Chapel Hill neurosurgery/oncology, to Steve (mom's first nurse at UNC - she really loved him), to Stacey & Mark Sprenz, Jackie Miller, Wendy & Annetta, to Mom's friends & neighbors at Longbourne, to my Avalos side family & the Light side family, and to all of our friends/mom's friends who contributed to the Meal Train. Lastly, thank you to my boss & MF for giving me grace and some time - during this painful time - thank you. I can never say thank you enough for that.