Give Francis Hope: Help Her Rise

Friends, we need your help. My name is Carmen Milagros Seda. Our family is in the middle of the most significant crisis we’ve ever faced and the financial toll is mounting. On March 7, 2024, a health catastrophe resulted in my daughter, Francis Carlene Zalace, having her limbs amputated– her legs below the thigh; her arms just above the wrist. Francis (40) is an elementary school music teacher and single mom with three children Daniella (21), Gwendy (17), and Charlie (15) living in Dallas, Texas. Francis is a cheerful, positive, vibrant person who is loved by her family, her many friends at First Unitarian Church of Dallas, and her colleagues at Russell Elementary. She played the clarinet, and was a proficient and in demand balloon artist. But her life changed forever on February 25, 2024. Her youngest child, Charlie Zalace is especially affected.

On February 25, 2024 Francis was admitted to Texas Presbyterian Hospital unable to breathe. She had rapidly advancing pneumonia, which was both viral and bacterial. She almost died. Her father, Daniel Zalace, approved life-saving treatment, which included a heart-lung machine and intensive anti-biotics. But the treatment had a risk. It was clear, after she regained consciousness, she had developed severe necrosis in all of her extremities. There was no choice but to amputate. She was transferred to Medical City Plano and admitted to the ICU Burn Unit. On March 7, the initial surgery was scheduled, The rain was impossibly hard that day. Like the sky was crying with us. Daniella screamed into the parking lot with the night rain. Just screamed and screamed and cried with the rain. Francis has had at least one to two surgeries a week since the initial surgery to clear the necrotic tissue, and to heal the affected limbs. She has also had dialysis regularly as her kidneys were affected.

We have been facing many challenges. When Daniella and I drove to Dallas from El Paso, we intended to live in Francis’s apartment to take care of Charlie. But soon, Charlie was complaining of being bitten at night. As it turned out, the apartment had bed bugs and fleas. Charlie’s well-being and the risk of exposing Francis to contamination was too great. We vacated the apartment, and had to throw away all the contaminated items. Daniella, Charlie and I have been living in extended stay hotels ever since. Additionally, her father Danny is currently in the middle of his own urgent health issues. Finally, and importantly, despite the work that Francis’s aunt Edie Zalace and our family friend Kim Gillette made to navigate the insurance and disability issues, it became clear we needed to retain an attorney.

Despite these challenges, Francis is not without support. We are grateful for the loving and committed network of family and friends. Her grandmother Milagros Seda, uncle and aunt Carlos Seda and Lucinda Lacelle, Daniella and myself work every day to manage the financial and logistical challenges. Francis’s brother Devin and his girlfriend T live in Denver, but visit when they can afford to travel. Her church community, First Unitarian Church of Dallas, supports Francis with regular visits, prayers, and community resources. Joyce Allenburg, the grandmother of Francis’s boyfriend Chris, visits Francis in the evenings at least twice a week. Francis’s wonderful colleagues from Russell Elementary school provide cards, send pictures and texts, and coordinate for visits. Her dear friends Coach Kim, Ms. Gonzalez, and Ms. Crawley cheer her on each visit. Her wonderful friend El Paso nurse Francine Bower, checks in with Daniella regularly to help us understand the medical issues. Despite this rich support network, the financial challenges remain the most daunting.

Friends, we never thought we would have to reach out to be financially supported. But we need your help. Our current goal is $40,000 for emergent medical costs, lodging, food, clean clothing, and transportation cost to stay near Francis. Additionally, we need help with attorney’s fees to handle the administrative tasks for her health insurance, finances, and Charlie’s guardianship. We will in the days ahead need additional help for medical needs such as prosthetics, and nursing care. But for now, the most urgent issue is clearing the hurdles to ensure she has ongoing insurance, and ensuring that there is someone at her side every day.

Please. Anything you can do to help would be greatly appreciated

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