Honduran Norma Flores - Cancer stg4

Norma Flores was born in Olancho, Honduras in 1952 and since she was a little girl she had to work selling vegetables in the street to help her mom who was a single mother of three. She was never sent to school but despite her circumstances, she tells the story about running to sell the vegetables quickly to run to school and try to learn to write while standing at the school door.

When she was old enough, she decided to move to the capital of Honduras, Tegucigalpa and there she worked as a house keeper and in restaurants. Her hard work paid off years later when she met the father of her children and together they put their own restaurant that ran for over 40 years. Circumstances changed again and they separated 10 years later leaving her with three kids. She never wanted to remarry since she was always afraid that a bad man was going to hurt her children which happens often in Honduras.

At her 61 years old, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and at 65 the cancer has returned in her bones affecting both legs, spine and hip. Three weeks ago, her own leg muscle broke her femur completely in two and is now fighting for her life.  She is waiting for a surgery to get her bones fixed with a screw. She also has heart and blood complications that have delayed the procedure for three weeks and counting. The worst part is that she is conscious of everything that is happening around her at just 65 years old.

The hospital does not have the medications and other necessities in stock and after a long term health situation, the only child that can financially provide for her needs has ran out of resources. When leaving the hospital, the family is extremely concerned since she lives with her son who is mentally ill and gets very aggressive. She cannot go back to her home for safety reasons and her daughter is looking for a place to stay with a person with disabilities since she will not be able to walk anymore.

Her family is extremely concerned about funeral expenses when this time arrives. No family should worry about these things. It is one of the most painful moments and lack of resources only makes it worse.

The family is in desperate need to raise funds to pay for her medications and surgery supplies to increase the chances of giving her a better quality of life while she is still with them. This woman never followed her dreams, never thought about herself but others and seeing her in this situation is heartbreaking.

Let’s make sure she has what she needs and let’s help others while we can. Life and health can change so quickly.

Thanks for your generosity.

The Flores Family