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Funeral expenses for devoted husband

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On December 11, 2020, Julio Mireles loving dad and devoted husband passed away due to Covid-19. 

Julio, my dad, leaves behind a 3 children and a wife. We are totally devastated.  A 67 yr old healthy man with no underlying conditions. How can this be happening? The vaccine only right there.  He fought so hard to come back to hold on.  Begged for his family to go to him.  Telling my mom "baby, I need you".  As my mom was helpless, at home with my little brother. Her testing positive and my brother quarantined because of his high risk exposure.  I also quarantined for being in contact with him as well.  My older brother living in another state. My poor dad alone. All of us helpless trying to give him strength and support via cellphone. The doctor's said we could have went to see him behind a glass, but being we were under quarantine orders, we couldn't.  It was an emotional rollercoaster. A little improvement then he was put on a ventilator. Our hearts broke. We feared the worst, but put our faith in God. Prayers for him went as far as Puero Rico, Ireland and Australia, from loved ones.  Doctors and nurses were amazing. Doing everything possible. Really did seem like he was going to make it.  Lung functions were up to 60%. We were very optimistic.  Then we get a call, things have turned for the worse. He had a 104 fever and it cause his heart to race. His lung function dropped to 20%. I knew this was very bad, as his lungs were already exhausted. Then the following day another call to authorize dialysis.  It all happened so quickly.  The following day, 5AM. The dotors saying they are only giving him a few hours. I being the only one done with my quarantine, was the only one able to go see him.  I ran to the hospital. Suited up and allowed to see him.  My mother begged me to put the phone on speaker so her and my brother can speak to him.  It was the most heartbreaking experience I've ever seen and been through.  My mom begging him to fight. Telling him "daddy, I need you" "we made so many plans together,  you can't leave me". 
My brother also begging for him to be strong and fight it". 
I holding his hand, telling him "I'm here daddy, you feel me touching you? I'm here,  you are not alone".  I touched his face and chest, so he could feel the warmth of my touch. So he knows i'm there. Begging him through tears to fight it.  As I am doing this,  I see his pulse slowing down. It was 111 then i saw it drop to 100, 90. I thought this was a good thing. He is relaxing. He hears us and he is calm.  He is going to fight this. But that number kept dropping right before my eyes.  I asked my brother,  what number would be considered too low.  As more its at 72. 
He like me, thought that was a good thing.  Until it kept getting lower and lower.  Daddy, please come back to us, we begged him. Then I looked and it said 40, then 20, as the machine started beeping. I called the nurse,  she said, there must be something caught in the tubes, which gave me a bit of relief. But she was wrong.  It read 0. The machine is now verbally saying "administer CPR". My heart dropped as she started to press down on his chest. 
This can't be happening.  This can't be real. My dad, so healthy and strong.  But he didn't make it.  My brother who was driving down 3hrs away. Didn't make it.  He arrived 5 mins after he had passed. It just happened so quickly. 

Are hearts are broken. 
My dad was the sole income, as my mom suffers from conditions, including Neuropathy.  My dad did everything for my mom.  Cooked, cleaned,  rubbed her down and massaged her feet whenever she was in pain is now gone.  She is completely devastated.  "My Julio. Can't be gone. We had so many plans together. I was supposed to take care of him.  Like he took care of me. We were a team".  
She wants to fulfill his last wishes and she would never get over this if she doesn't. But she has limited funds and income.  She is crying to me that he did not want to be cremated and wanted to be buried in a Catholic cemetery. As they are very religious and that would put his soul at peace. 

Those of you that know my family,  we are a small, close and humble family.  We have always done for others and have shown kindness and charity.  We would not ask for anything from anyone.  We just want to fulfill my dad's dying wishes and she is very limited with funds.  
My dad's family abandoned him as a child and we are all he has. 

We are not asking for more than help for his funeral and burial expenses.  
It would mean the world to her to be able to do this for him. 

As I post this,  through tears in my eyes. My heart heavy for my mom and broken to the loss of my dad. I ask anyone that can spare anything to please find it in your hearts to help her. As she cries to me, she only has $1,000. Any thing given is truly appreciated God bless you all. 
Praying Covid doesn't take anymore innocent lives  and this doesn't happen to anyone else.

Organiser

Erika Betancourt
Organiser
Yonkers, NY

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