UPDATE: Mom passed away peacefully this morning, May 6th, around 8:30AM. Her health had been deteriorating since earlier this week, and Tyler and I signed a DNR on Thursday after speaking with doctors & nurses about the survivability rate and dangers of performing CPR on someone in her condition. At that point, even her best case scenarios were simply unlivable, and we were told that there was a near-zero chance of her returning to baseline. Yesterday afternoon, Tyler, Rachael and I said our thank-you's, sorry's, and goodbye's, and told her it was okay to go home. We believe she was waiting for us to say that. This morning, she took a turn for the worse, with oxygen saturation levels in the 70's, and Tyler and I decided to give her comfort care to not prolong her suffering.

I have changed the financial goal of our fundraiser accordingly. We are venturing into the absolute unknown, and we simply do not have any experience in dealing with this ourselves. We need all the help we can get - Mom didn't have much in the way of savings or retirement. Finances are the smallest burden right now, but they are still a huge one. Celebration of life details will be forthcoming, once we figure them out. If you're reading this, I'm so sorry. Mom was a wonderful person, and we are all entitled to mourn her loss. Thank you to everyone who has shown love so far. We will need more as time goes on. Hold Mom in your heart for us today, and let your loved ones know you love them for her today.

Where the money will go:

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ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION:

On Wednesday, April 12th, my mom (Carla Cargal) underwent a routine surgery, but there was a major complication. Her spleen started bleeding and had to be removed. She lost so much blood that her body was sent into shock, and she had to be fully sedated, intubated on a respirator, and put into intensive care at Northside.

An infection soon followed, and both kidney and lung functions were severely impacted. She also had a fever of 104F and had to have another surgery on April 17th, this time to remove the fluid that had filled the space where her spleen once was. Luckily, that morning, we were able to talk to her & she could answer yes/no questions by shaking her head. It was great to see her, but that is the only contact we have had with her since the first surgery. The second surgery went well, and though she is still fighting a tough fever and fully sedated, she is slowly improving. She is expected to recover, but the recovery is expected to be far longer and more arduous than we originally thought.

What was supposed to be a 1-night stay at the hospital has already turned into 10. Frankly, we were ill-prepared for this reality - though my mom made financial preparations for a day or two more in the hospital, no one imagined it would take this long. No one is certain what her recovery looks like right now, but she will likely be in the hospital for another week or two, and in rehab after that (due to muscle loss from lying in the same position) for several weeks, if not a month or more.

We don't ask for this lightly, but we need your help. The bills are coming quickly, and my mom will need plenty of time to recover; physically, emotionally, spiritually, and financially. We are asking for help on all levels - support, love and attention, prayers, and now, financial help. My mom is a wonderful person, and shows her love to others through her profession as a counselor. I am certain that we will be met with love in return. It is painful to ask for help, but we have no other option.

Where the money will go:

- To cover immediate expenses; such as rent, utilities, company costs (Carla is self-employed,) transportation, and medicine/food for Carla both before her discharge from Northside and during her recovery. If need be, we may need to use some to support myself and my brother as we take care of her as well, i.e. to supplement income from missed days at work.

- Next, it will go towards paying any outstanding balance from her hospital stay, if applicable. We are simply unsure what insurance will and won't cover at this time.

- If any money remains afterwards, I am unsure. I have the ideas of donating to other similar causes, or sending what we don't use back to those who donated, but I simply can't devote any energy to that decision right now. I'm hoping to let my mom make that decision, once all is said and done.

Our goal of $9,000 may be a large one, but after reviewing bank statements, it is my best estimate of two months' expenses for my mom. She is self-employed, and a fair amount of monthly cost comes along with that - making sure her business is able to operate after recovery is a very high priority for us. But, any amount of money, prayer or support helps. We will take anything you'd give.

Thank you for your love and support. I'd like to thank the friends and family that have stepped up to help my brother and I manage this difficult time. I'd also like to thank the staff at Northside Hospital for taking care of my mom. May you and your loved ones be happy and healthy.