My Mom's Cancer Story

Hello, my name is Maria Garza and I am Ruth Aguilar's daughter and only child.

As some of you may or may not know, my mother was diagnosed with Stage 3C ovarian cancer in March of 2020. Life would never be the same for us. With the world entering lockdown at the same time, it was an extremely challenging and daunting time for my family, and particularly rough for my mom and I. From the moment I was born, we have been inseparable. But for the first time ever, we were forced to be separated; my mom had her hysterectomy and subsequent chemotherapies in Mexico and I stayed behind in the States in our apartment with my dog, just the two of us. We would not be able to see each other for approximately six months later, after six grueling chemo sessions and weeks of uncertainty, both from the cancer and the extreme fear of the pandemic. However, by the grace of God, my mother entered remission and slowly but surely things seemed to be going back to normal.

 

Fast forward to March of 2022, as the world healed from the wounds left behind from the virus, a familiar beast would show its face once again. My mother began to have trouble breathing completing even the simplest of tasks. She would describe it as a feeling similar to drowning above water. She braced herself for the worst going into her doctor's appointment and unfortunately, my mother's CA125 number would once again skyrocket above normal levels. Her CT scans would reveal small remnants of the cancer, slowly creeping back. And within less than a month of the re-diagnosis, a series of complications, hospitalizations, and more chemotherapy would follow. On April 5th, I rushed home from work after my dad called me to tell me that an ambulance was on the way for my mom; she was having trouble breathing still and felt so very weak. She was hospitalized for nearly a week with a dangerously low sodium level that would've taken her life had she not called 911. Her left lung was full with almost a liter of liquid, hence the trouble breathing. After the hospitalization, she and my dad made their way back to Mexico to begin another six rounds of chemotherapy, and will be traveling to and from every 21 days until the sessions are complete.

 

I have watched my hopeful and lively mother be reduced to a scared, weak, and tired shell of who she once was. She has lost over 30 pounds from that doctor's appointment in March to now. She is unable to walk very far or very long without the help of a walker and her frail hands can barely type or write. As someone who absolutely adored every moment of being in the classroom, dancing and singing with her students, being forced to retire earlier than expected has taken a huge emotional toll on her on top of the physical discomfort she feels on a daily basis. The financial burden is not any easier, with the cost of her hospitalization in April totaling a little over $10,000. There is only so much I can do to console my sweet mother, and creating this fund feels like the best option.

 

Teachers of Hartman Elementary, parents of her former and current students, and anyone else who may be reading this:

I ask from the bottom of my heart to extend your prayers for my mother and I, share this fundraiser, and if you are willing and able, please donate. We would be eternally thankful for any and all contributions.

My mother has dedicated her life to teaching and has always represented the core values that Mary Lou Hartman stands for. Those same six pillars of character that I remember from when I was an alumni myself have always stuck with me, even now at 21 years old.

My mother has touched the lives of hundreds of her students and has created strong connections with their parents and families. She has always been the most selfless, caring, kind, and patient woman I've ever known, going above and beyond for our family, her students, and her loved ones. I can only hope that I grow up to be even an ounce of the woman she is. There's no one on this Earth that could ever take her place. She is strong, she is resilient, and I have full faith in God that He will grant her many more years by my side, so I can make her proud of the woman I become. It's taken me some time to make this solely because I've been too emotional to muster up the words that can describe my mom and her time at Hartman, but I hope I convey the message as best as possible. This woman is not just my mother, but she is and always will be my very first super-hero. The mountains this woman can move, the sacrifices she's made.. she is the ultimate example of unconditional love and I love her always and forever, unconditionally. Please consider donating if you can, or share her story with your loved ones.

 

Thank you for reading her story. I will do my best to be more communicative in regards to any updates/progress about her condition, or questions.

 

 

Maria Garza