Join us in helping our dad thru this trial

Hi my name is Victoria Cantu. My siblings and I are fundraising to try and help our biologfather with something Life Changing. Our dad, Pete Cantu has always resided in Austin Tx. The miles between us and his commitment to "hard work" haven't allowed most of our "Lubbock friends" ( or friends who have become family) to ever get to know him like you do us on a personal level so allow us to introduce to you, "Our Dad"❤️

Dads name is Pete Cantu. Yes, Peter is a Jr! He met my mom when they were 16 years old in Lubbock Texas and they welcomed my sister Ashly into the world the following year. Almost 4 years later, i came and in the year 2000 came Peter. In between Ashly and I when my father was days from 21 years old something happened to him that would set the stage for his life. (Medically speaking)

As I recall the story being told to me, my dad was showering. It was a normal day. One minute he was standing and the next my dad was on the floor. He was rushed to the hospital where he fell into a diabetic coma. He wss young. He had no idea that anything was wrong with him because up to that point he was always healthy but that day my dads life was forever altered. Diabetes was explained and to this day dad is an insullin dependent diabetic. Diabetes isnt a life sentence but individuals who suffer from this disease must always be more careful in certain areas than others might need to be.

When Peter was 10 months old our parents called it quits and we all moved to Lubbock with mom. This destroyed my dad. He had lost his wife and children all at once and with it, his faith. Dads never been real spiritual. Hes a realist. He lives by the motto "You wanna go fast, Go Alone. You wanna go far, you need a team". Dads always chosen "Fast and Alone". If you knew him back then you'd probably know a few components that make him who he is. Hes a pool shark, a gym enthusiast, and quite the social charmer when making new friends. If you couldn't find him at the shooting range he was surely to be cuttin' the rug somewhere boogie-ing his buns off. Most of our favorite memories with dad are him teaching us how to throw a punch or watching him dance song to tons of Michael Jackson videos in the living room. Aside from his charismatic "can do" (Cantu) way of life, dad is known for his hard work. When we moved to Lubbock with mom, our dad poured himself into work and as long as we can remember he's always held at least 2 jobs, sometimes even 3! We've always known him to kick off his boots after a long day and let out a sigh of relief from the pain stinging his feet.

When diabetics get hurt it isn't like when other people get hurt. What one might consider a simple wound can really be the start of a more complicated, more serious issue with very daunting side effects. It is for that reason that we are here writing this today.

On Christmas Eve 2022 dad got home from work and kicked off his boots. He had been carefully watching and cleaning a simple blister that had formed a few weeks before but on this day there was an odor that went way past "stinky feet" so dad cleaned the area on his foot and on Christmas morning he went to work. His boss told him he didnt look well and our father said "Im not. I came to tell you im going to the emergency room. " He arrived and they took him back fairly quickly. Upon examination they took him directly to a room and it did not take long for a doctor to come and tell him that he was losing his toe. Upon hearing this news some would be shocked or ask for a second opinion but not dad. Dad was relieved and simply said okay bc it was better than all the pain he had been in. It was an adjustment and he missed over 2 months of work but he made it thru. Around Mothers Day 2023 he was back in the hospital with the same foot and an infection stemming from the wound where the toe had been taken. At this time it was determined that they had to go and amputate the remaining toes. This was hard for dad and he missed even more months of work but he took the hand being dealt. He went thru all his savings and never once asked anyone for anything. Between Mothers Day and now dad kept all drs appointments. Hes been learning how to adjust and keeping to himself which worries us of course. From that surgery to now his foot healed but it healed funny. When he walked, he'd lean on one side more tham the other and last week he presented to the ER with pain and yet another infection. This time dads infection was in his bone which resulted in him losing his entire foot. This is alot for us to take in. Can you imagine how he is? The doctors said in these types of cases more infection could occur within the next 28 days. If it does they have prepared him to lose the leg. As of now hes home. Hes resting. Hes on his meds. He will be getting prosthetics. He will have to go to rehab and re-learn how to walk again. He will need to deal with not just the physical handicap at hand but with all the emotional part and the new way of life hes gonna have to live. Its alot and were here to help. Our dad never asks anyome for anything. Call it pride. Call it the hispanic "machismo:" or heck call it plain ole stubborn, but this time hes different. I told you in the beginning that dad isnt very spiritual. He hasnt practiced hsi faith in we dont know how long. But Dad finally sought comfort in the Scriptures. We called him the other day and he quoted 3 that he says are sustaining him. Thank God for Psalms, Timothy and Peter. Thank God that dad doesn't want to go "Fast and Alone" anymore. I know looking at the big picture that dad turning to scripture, and him asking for help are small things but weve learned that its the small things that God takes and turns into great big blessings. Its the bad and ugly things that He takes and transforms into good.. So our dad needs every believer to help right now. We are hoping that all our friends, our church family and anyone else who sees this or knows us or our dad will stop and pray for him And if its on ur heart were asking you to donate anything u can. The dollar amount absolutely does NOT matter bc it all adds up. Let us Christians show my dad what God can do thru us. LET US BE HIS MIRACLE!! Peter, Ashly and I thank yall in advance. Anything donated is going directly to dad to help with medical expenses, and get this... to help him move to Lubbock when hes done with rehab in 3 months!! Please support us and go donate! Thank you and God Bless yall so much.

Love,

Victoria, Peter and Ashly Cantu