Hello everyone,

An update from Mandy, Sergio's Wife 04/01/2024

First off,

A Million thanks to all who came through in less than 24 hours from our departure to get the funds to have Sergio keep his appointment at Mayo. Nothing short of God working. We are so grateful for Amanda. I don't know what I would do without my Sister.

We are so thankful for all your love, prayers, calls, hugs. Family, friends, past and present colleagues, past students even! I have cried so much at every name of who has helped us.

The Dr's at Mayo are freaking amazing. Sergio's Endocrinologist Dr. Kumar is so kind, wonderful, thorough. I adore her. The Neurosurgeon, Dr. Bendoc, is this uber intelligent and kind man. Both are willing to do whatever it takes to help us.

The easy stuff first:

Sergio will need surgery for the parathyroid, but it is not urgent. He has likely had those issues for years already, since his kidney stone issues back in 2018 and 2019.

The steps for the next plan, he needs to have more testing. Lots of blood work, 24 hour urine collection, a bone density scan, a spinal Xray. Dr. Kumar is concerned that because of the parathyroid issue, it has been leeching calcium from his bones, and he could have oosteoporosis. Sergio complains of bone pain, not joint pain, but actual bone. We could not do it at Mayo because it would have been another almost 8K, not including the cost for an MRI.

Now the big big thing is he needs an MRI. This is to get an idea about the adenoma tumor on the pituitary, near the brain. If it is a Macro (big=5cm) tumor, then this would likely need surgery. If it is micro (small=3cm) and it is tied to a prolactin issue (I was confused about this), then it can be treated with medicine, no surgery.

We are hoping for the later. If Sergio must have surgery, then we must somehow network the Mayo findings with El Paso doctors. Ideally I would want it to happen at Mayo, but we do not have the money for that at all.

So, we are home, both Dr's gave us all the orders we need to have the remaining testing in EP, and then the results will come back to them. Both will communicate via the patient portal, so we will not get billed anymore. The Neurologist was like we will do a conference call once you have the MRI to see what is next.

So, we continue down the road. We have more info, a couple answers, but still cannot see beyond the bend.

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTLkmCdXW/

Original Post:

My name is Amanda and I am reaching out for help for our amazing friends, Sergio & Mandy Porras.

They are both educators at Antwine MS (him) and Eastlake HS (her), formerly Hambric and Hernando (both) and all of their children are graduates from their amazing district. Their daughter Amy is an AVID college tutor as well at Eastlake HS. Anyone that knows them knows they have such a huge heart for people, but most especially their students and campuses they serve! They volunteer as coaches and sponsors at various different events and competitions.

Sergio has been feeling ill and needs our help getting the diagnosis and treatment he needs to get him back to his family as his fun, easy going self. He just celebrated his 50th birthday ! They together have spent almost 35 years together, four beautiful kids and soon to be three grandchildren. Family is everything to them ❤️

About a month ago, he/we found out that there is a tumor on his pituitary gland, which is near the brain. He needs to see an endocrinologist to see what the next course of action/ treatment will be. We want him to see the best doctor there is! No doctor can see him locally until May which is why they need our help getting him to the Mayo Clinic as early as tomorrow.

His daughter Maya pounded the metaphorical pavement and secured him a visit at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix with a Neurologist and Endocrinologist. All of the kids have rallied around their Daddy. Due to their insurance not covering the cost they need to raise the money in full, in order for Sergio to be seen and finally get the answers he needs to be on the road to recovery.

The next thing we ask, is that you keep Sergio in prayer. Prayer is so powerful, and is the biggest form of love and blessings that he can receive. I know that many of you are powerful prayer warriors, and for that we decided to share what is going on.

Whether it's donating $1, praying or sharing this page...we are thankful for your help! ❤️

From his Wife, Mandy: His health and healing has been a big concern. Sergio needs to be here for all of his grandchildren present and future, and of course, for them, and me. They watch him like a hawk.

We do not know what to expect, but we are hopeful that they will do exactly what needs to be done, and he will start to feel better. He has had good days, and lots of not so good days, but he is a fighter.

I am so proud of him, because he will tuck away when he's feeling bad around others because he doesn't want to worry people.

Please keep up the prayers for my husband and our family. It is the most powerful blessing you can give.

I'm so grateful for our close friends who have been a wonderful source of stress relief and laughter these last few weeks. Our tribe sticks together and there is so much conditionless love there. We love you guys. ❤️

What have we learned from all of this? Keep strong faith in God. His hand is in this. Love each other deeply. Cherish everything. Take care of your health.

Thank you again my family and friends.

Endless love,

Mandy