Help My Mom Receive a Pair of New Lungs

Hi, my name is Monica; in the summer of 2021, my family contracted the COVID-19 Deltra strain in August. However, our entire family, except my mom, had recovered in late August, before I started my junior year at Sacramento State. Unfortunately, my mom was rushed to the hospital due to worsening new symptoms, and her oxygen levels had fallen below 90, which is incredibly unsafe. After evaluating her, the doctor called me to notify me of her condition; he told me she was not doing well and there was a high probability she would die, considering how bad of a place she was. My mom suffered from COVID pneumonia and would likely not make it; I was barely turning 22 and had to tell my younger sister that our mom might not make it out. About a week passed, and the doctor gave me an urgent call; he told me it was important my mom be placed in an induced coma because she was going into acute respiratory failure. The doctor said my mom would not make it without going into ventilation; as next of kin, I had to help in deciding to place my mom in a coma. When my mom and I agreed that it was the only fighting chance she had, my sister and I said what might've been our last goodbye and I love you. Our mom remained in a coma for two weeks until the doctors decided that her lab work was standard; this was great news for all of us; we cried and rejoiced. Our mom continued to stay in the hospital for three more weeks for further evaluation, and after two long months of being away, she came home. When she arrived, she looked like half the woman she used to be; mom was frail and skinny with a pale color washing over her face and body. I cried because she was home, but her illness had taken a toll on her mental and physical health, and she looked so different. My mom spent Thanksgiving in a wheelchair because she could not walk or stand; she struggled with daily activities such as brushing her hair. The change was hard for all of us; as a family, we were starting to accept and adjust.

In March of 2022, my mom got a call from her doctor saying she had been diagnosed with a terminal illness called pulmonary fibrosis; she was given 10-12 years to live unless she received a bilateral lung transplant. Naturally, our family was brokenhearted; the thought of my mom not seeing her children marry or be a grandmother saddened us. However, my mom has been a fighting spirit throughout this ordeal; she continues to hold this family together through our ups and downs. My sister and I could not be more proud of our mother's strength.

My mom has been referred to receive a bilateral lung transplant from UCSF. This situation has all been scary, but we are grateful to be given this opportunity. This Go-Fund-Me would help with medical costs and living expenses in San Francisco during her transplant and post-operation. My sister and I are asking our family, friends, and community to help my mom receive a pair of new lungs by sharing and/or contributing to our Go-Fund-Me. We sincerely thank you for taking the time to read this and helping our mom.

With love and kindness, the Vang/Barrera-Boswell family.