Family Medical & Financial Hardships

My family has been through a lot these last few years. It's hard to believe sometimes. And although it's been difficult, it's been really beautiful too. God is so good. And God has made a way through it all. He has done miracles. Thank you Yahweh.

It's felt like a movie. Unbelievable at times. As things pile on, it feels like some kind of prank tv show, and we're waiting for someone to yell "Cut!". We have had to endured many hardships. And although I have done everything I can do to meet our financial needs. Every resource. Every charity. Working as much as I can. But even with my full time job, my second job, and my personal business, it's not enough for all the financial needs that we have been faced with. We are constantly plagued and bombarded with trial after trial. It's been overwhelming. And I know that God has called us to share each other's burdens, as His church. And the church is not a place, it's a people.

Galatians 6:2, "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."

And so, if God put's it on your heart to ease our burden, it would mean the world to us.

My wife, Giselle Vilca Sagastegui, is an immigrant (soon to be US citizen) from Peru. She is a stage 3 breast cancer survivor. She was diagnosed after having just lost her father and her brother. She has been in treatment for over 3 years, with 5 more years to go for her treatment. She has endured 14 rounds of completely debilitating chemotherapy, 2 months of terrible radiation, an identity shattering mastectomy surgery, followed by 6 more months of awful oral chemotherapy... with another 5 year treatment to come soon. Not to mention the dozens of emergency room and urgent care visits, tests, exams, blood draws, and medications. I'm grateful beyond words for all the medical care. However, all these treatments and medical care have not only depleted our finances, but they have left us with crippling debt. And we are still paying for a mountain of medical bills. A constant stream of stress that doesn't stop.

And my wife's mother, Ana Maria Sagastegui Ruiz (a 71 year old widow who is still in Peru), suffers from many debilitating health conditions. In the last three months alone, Ana Maria has endured 3 infections that have sent her to the emergency room, caused by two different level 4 prolapses. She suffers from extremely painful rectal bleeding. Along with chronic excruciating stomach ulcers that have invaded her abdomen. And now, she has developed precancerous intestinal metaplasia in her small intestines. This has left Ana Maria in such fragile and vulnerable health, that it's difficult for her to even walk. Her body cannot endure these sicknesses anymore. And now she needs two different urgent level 4 prolapse surgeries very soon. Along with a sea of medications, antibiotics, and months of bedside care that she needs before and after these surgeries. All out of pocket.

My wife's sister, Vanessa Vilca Sagastegui, has been here on an emergency visa to help me take care of my wife for the last three years. I need Vanessa here, she is essential. I cannot watch and take care of my wife while I am at work. And because of my wife's severe side effects from the chemo and all her cancer treatment, she suffers from debilitating nausea, chronic dizziness, intense migranes, sudden immobilizing weakness throughout her body, and many other unpredictable and long term side effects. She can't be left alone. Vanessa is also my wife's only connection to her home country. She is very close with her sister and she needs her here for essential emotional support as well. But after the recent change in US Administration, Vanessa's Visa Extension (which had been approved 4 times over the last three years without any issues or problems whatsoever) was suddenly and unexpectedly no longer possible. Without explanation, we weren't able to extend it anymore. And so, we had to adapt and do something else in order to keep Vanessa here. So we applied for a Student Visa for Vanessa. It was the perfect solution, because she could study to be a nurse (and only minimally need to take classes in person) and learn how to take much better care of Giselle with me while she recovers. So we applied for it, and the Student Visa was approved! Praise Jesus! But now, after the change in US Administration, the scholarship and financial aid for her schooling that was promised us, has now suddenly been taken back without explanation, and is no longer an option. So we are stuck in a position where we must pay for Vanessa's tuition out of pocket to keep her visa valid and keep her here.

And the immigration costs for both my wife and her sister have been, and will continue to be, incredibly expensive as well. It has been a constant drain on our finances.

On top of all that, we have been hit with so many unpredictable expenses. It's hard to believe. Just one after another. A sudden and urgent wisdom tooth infection and extraction for Vanessa (who is not allow to have any kind of insurance because she is not a green card holder or citizen). Several major repairs for our car. Along with unexpected health problems for me as well.

All that to say, we can't pay for it all. We just can't. We need support. And if you feel called to help, if God puts it on your heart, We would be utterly, deeply, and completely grateful, beyond words, from the absolute depths of our hearts. Thank you so much for reading. And please feel free to share this with anyone you feel would want to know.

We love you all, and God bless you all!