From cold symptoms to not being able to breathe.

He had a cold, like any other cold until I had to rush him to the emergency room at 3 a.m. Embraced, my strong husband and I walked into the hospital while he desperately was gasping for air. The staff immediately started working on my Sam. Doctors and nurses came from all directions—what seemed like a hundred hands in unison performing over my husband’s entire body, while I just stood there witnessing in complete silence—just me and the sound of my heart.

They sedated him and worked on stabilizing him for hours and finally, they were able to whisk him into Cardiothoracic Surgery Intensive Care Unit. At this point, the doctors informed me that my husband was “the most critical patient in the entire hospital—that shattered me into a million pieces. My family, the staff and I didn’t lose faith. Sam had to be hooked up to every possible machine to continue to give him that fighting chance.

We found out that this simple cold was Influenza A which turned into pulmonary edema, kidney failure and cardiac arrest--resulting in Sam’s passing--early Friday morning, March 10th. My husband, Samuel Reinoso, lit up every room he entered with his beautiful presence, his empowering sense of humor, and his genuine love. Life without him will never be the same.

That 3 a.m. morning—Sam is the one who asked to go to Stony Brook Medical Center. We are eternally grateful to every hand that in perfect unison did all they could for our Sam.

He was a small business owner and we do not have the standard medical coverage that would allow us to cover the upcoming medical bills. Never did I imagine losing my husband—or having to ask for help. With my heavy and broken heart—I’m asking if you could please donate to this go fund me cause--anything you can—anything at all will be extremely helpful and truly appreciated. Bless you all.

Humbly,

Viv