Help My Husband Get the Care He Needs — We Are Fighting for Answers and His Life

Since July 2025, my husband has been battling illness — and we still don’t know why.

What started as what seemed like simple groin pain quickly turned into a medical nightmare that has completely changed our lives. We never imagined this would lead to months of hospitalizations, infections, procedures, and now the terrifying reality that he is struggling just to breathe.

In July 2025, he began experiencing severe groin pain. Before he could even undergo surgery, he developed a serious E. coli infection that required 28 days of IV antibiotics through a PICC line. For nearly a month, he was connected to medication around the clock just to fight the infection.

During this time, he also developed multiple DVTs (blood clots), adding even more complications to his already fragile condition.

We prayed that once the infection cleared, things would finally turn around.

They didn’t.

He went forward with urology surgery, hoping it would finally relieve the pain — but it was not successful. The pain continued. His body continued to weaken. In another attempt to find relief, he underwent a varicocele embolization procedure for his ongoing scrotal pain. We held onto hope that this would finally help — but he is still in pain every single day.

Despite everything his body has endured, we are now being told his pain may be “muscular.” Yet he cannot function normally. He cannot return to work. And we know in our hearts something is still very wrong.

Then things became even more serious.

His breathing began to decline, and now he is in respiratory failure.

Since all of this began, he has been hospitalized five times. We have seen a urologist, hematologist, cardiologist, and pulmonologist — going through test after test, appointment after appointment — desperately searching for answers.

But we still don’t have them.

Both cardiology and pulmonology have run extensive testing, yet no one can determine why his lungs are failing. Watching the person you love struggle to breathe is something no family is prepared for. It is terrifying. It is exhausting. It is heartbreaking.

We have now reached a point where doctors here in New Mexico have told us they are unable to provide the level of care he needs. They are referring him to National Jewish Health in Denver — one of the nation’s leading pulmonary hospitals.

This is not just another appointment.

This is our hope for answers.

Our hope for a diagnosis.

Our hope for a treatment plan.

Our hope to save his life.

But even this has become another battle.

Our insurance has denied the referral, and we are currently fighting through the appeals process. Time is not on our side. His condition is urgent, and every delay puts his health — and his life — at greater risk.

At the same time, we are facing overwhelming financial strain. We need help with travel to Denver, lodging, medical expenses, and simply maintaining our home while we are away. The bills do not stop, and our children still need stability, food, and care.

On top of everything, my FMLA is now exhausted. I am facing the very real possibility of having to resign from my job just to be able to take him to appointments, imaging, and care for him through this. This means the potential loss of our income during the most critical time in our lives.

We have always worked hard and done everything we could to provide for our family. Writing this through tears is one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. It is incredibly humbling—and heartbreaking—to admit that we cannot carry this alone anymore.

Through it all, we are holding tightly to our faith.

Isaiah 41:10 reminds us: “Fear not, for I am with you… I will strengthen you and help you.” We are clinging to that promise every single day, even in the moments that feel overwhelming.

If you feel led to donate, please know we are deeply grateful beyond words. If you are unable to give, sharing our story would mean everything to us. And above all, we ask for your prayers — for answers, for healing, for strength, and for provision.

Thank you for standing with our family during the hardest season of our lives.

With love and gratitude,

Sarah & Robert Hurtado