On December 18th, 2025, at 8:45 pm, my sister and I had to make the most difficult choice of a child's life: to let our mom begin her journey. Mom had been fighting really hard to get healthy again; little did we know a simple cold was more complicated. Mom loved her hometown of Tecate (Mexico), and while visiting family, she had become ill. She became so ill she had to be hospitalized and kept under constant observation. It was touch and go while we waited for her to get strong and stable for travel. Some weeks that turned into months passed. Birthdays and holidays were placed on hold, and finally, that moment came. We had to move quickly and bring her stateside. We got her to emergency, and things were looking a little positive. Test after test, with hope and faith in our hearts, my sister and I said, "Mom is strong; she will show them. Just a bad cold." The hospital staff and specialists were amazing, but the day came. Sorry, advanced cancer in her left lung. We can keep her going, but that's not optimal, and she will be suffering. We made the choice to let her begin her journey, and about two hours later, she was at peace.

Now we are faced with new challenges which we have never dealt with. How to get her back home to rest. We were not prepared for all the paperwork and permits required to get Mom home. That was the first challenge; the second challenge was the funeral home in Tecate. A compilation of documents, permits, and trying to deal with emotions all at once. I'm here trying to figure out the words to explain and break down how to ask for help. The help is for the growing amount of bills and costs we need to cover. If you have time to read and help us, it will be greatly appreciated.