Fight for Mercy

Mercedes Santos has lived her entire life with an exuberant amount of energy and a heart to help everyone.  She has been a caretaker for many of her family members; from her own mother-in law, to her parents, siblings, nieces, nephews and grandchildren.  

Now it is our turn to help Mercy in the fight for her life.  In late January of this year,  Mercy began experiencing a numbness on the top of her head which became significantly worse by the time she decided to go to the Emergency Room on February 15th.  The numbness went down to her tongue and the doctor suspected a stroke.  A CT scan showed a brain mass and she was admitted.  On March 9th, Mercy underwent a brain biopsy and she was diagnosed with inoperable Glioma Anaplastic Astrocytoma Stage 3.  Mercy began her chemo and radiation on April 12th. She has lost most feeling on her left side and she is unable to walk.  Each day brings with it a new struggle and the emotional toll it has taken on such a vibrant person is heartbreaking in itself.  

Less dire, but also very difficult, is the toll this has taken on her family; specifically her husband and children.  Javier, her husband, has his own health issues since suffering several strokes in November and he is unable to care for Mercy at this time.  Her children, Rosy (Mery) and Javier (Jr.) Have become her caretakers around the clock.  "Mery" takes care of all administrative needs; calling insurance companies, manufacturers, doctors, seeking out programs for additional assistance and filling out all applications.  She arrives each morning to take her mother to her treatments and doctors appointments, caring for her in every way until "Jr." can take over in the evening and through the night.  Both have put their own work and families on the back burner to care for her.  Unfortunately, given the mounting time and costs in caring for Mercy, they cannot hold off their work obligations for much longer.  Mery must return to work within the next two weeks and Jr. must become available to travel again as is required in his field.

Currently, Mercy has reached the maximum for her insurance coverage and must now pay out-of-pocket until she reaches her out-of-pocket maximum and the cycle begins again.  One of her medications is over $2,000 for only a 21 day supply.  She also takes anti-seizure medication at $600 for a 30 day supply along with medications for diabetes and other side effect ailments.  Mercy has had several trips to the Emergency Room since beginning her treatments.  She very much needs a nurse or caretaker to partially relieve  her children so that they are able to return to work fully.  Steps have been taken to obtain additional help from medicaid, social security, and even manufacturers of her medications, but it is a very slow process and they are either weeks or months out from reviewing any requests or she has already been denied.  Asking for help from friends and family, even strangers, is the last resort.

Mercedes has a lot of people that care tremendously for her.  She would never ask herself, but any help she receives would mean everything to her.  No amount is too small and no share is too little.  Please do whatever you can to help save Mercy from suffering more than she has already suffered.  We have made Mercedes' daughter, Rosa Santos Diaz the beneficiary of any money raised as she is handling all of her financial needs and will allocate the money appropriately.

See the dramatic transformation in the pictures below.  This is truly heartbreaking and we would all love to see her fishing again with the help of her amazing medical team and those who know and lover her!