Boo Boo Borg’s Battle

Boo Boo’s Battle

 My sister calls her English professor & ex-marine of a husband, Boo Boo.  I think it’s hilarious. My siblings and I thought it was funny to call him Boo Boo as well, though his given name is Darren.  (Darren Borg, which is also funny because he’s a Trekkie!)  I gotta be honest, I don’t think he found it as funny as we did at first, but eventually he got used to our way of showing love—endless teasing.  And we love to tease him.  A lot.

This summer we found out that Boo Boo has stage 3B colon cancer.  It’s been a shock to all of us because he seems so healthy and, in fact, he is …except that he has cancer.  It still feels weird to say it.  Within a month after first going to the dermatologist for something that turned out to be totally unrelated he had a LOT of tests, a blood transfusion for severe anemia, got the diagnosis of colon cancer, and had surgery to remove half of his colon and a large malignant tumor.  It’s been a crazy couple of months.  He has completed a few rounds of chemo; there will be twelve—once every other week for six months.  The side effects are really starting to kick in.  

A family friend, Estrella, is doing a supplement regimen and is doing great despite her diagnosis of stage 4 inoperable colon cancer a year ago May.  At that time they told her she wouldn’t make it past LAST summer, but she is still here and in remission.  Estrella is such an inspiration—an example of someone who believes in positivity, the power of prayer, and alternative medicines alongside her chemo regimen. Darren and my sister, Laura aka Tasha, have made the decision to commit to the same regimen in addition to the chemo.  

 Honestly, Darren and Laura have also been inspiring.  Yes, they have their moments of worry and how could they not?  Darren has three kids that he (and we) all love and adore; and there is all the stuff that life requires which becomes much harder when you are sick.  Still, they are SO POSITIVE.  Whenever I talk to them I am inspired to appreciate all the good things in life instead of focusing on the bad.  

 Nonetheless, being sick is expensive and is a point of stress. Laura’s wonderful colleagues at Reseda High where she is the college counselor wanted to help, so they volunteered to donate some of their own sick days to her so she wouldn’t need to worry about missing on days that Darren really needs hermost.  Unfortunately, that’s not an option according to her school district policy because SHE is not the one with the illness. Soon after getting this news Laura and Darren found out how much the supplements were going to cost--a 6-month supply of just ONE of the medicines is $9,000!  So, Laura’s friend, Bekah Burger, decided to spearhead a GoFundMe Campaign and I said I would help.  We have set a goal of  $20,000 to take care of the extra expenses that insurance doesn’t cover as Darren battles those cancer cells.  We know he can win that battle and the chemo, supplements, and meds will help him do it.  

Most of us have a hard time asking for help and Laura & Darren are in that category –that’s why Bekah and I are doing it for them.  Here are two ways you can help.  First, please pray for Darren’s full recovery.  If it’s chanting or meditating--whatever your spiritual practice—from the bottom of our hearts we thank you, thank you, and thank you.  Second, if you can afford to contribute to this GoFundMe Campaign we would be appreciative beyond words. Those dollars will buy the supplements and meds that are working for Estrella and will help Boo Boo in his battle.

 There was a time in my life when I needed some extra help and I HATED that I needed it. But my dad said something so kind and so helpful it relieved me of the shame I felt for not being able to manage alone. My pop simply said “None of us gets through this life without some help at times.  I was put on this earth to help you so that’s what I’m going to do.”  Well, this is one of those times for my sister and the best brother-in-law I could have ever asked for.

 Thank you for reading this, thank you for your prayers and thank you for considering.  Blessings to each and every one of you,

If you have any questions please feel free to 
email Bekah at [email redacted]
 
Sandra Marquez
Bekah Burger