Mary and Enrique Emergency Fund
Enrique and Mary Status and Assessed Needs
The Accident:
On June 18th, after working late at the huerta (garden/farm), Enrique, Sombra, their rescue greyhound, and new kitten, Mici, were in a horrible car accident. The huerta is about 40 minutes away from Astorga where Mary and Enrique live, and Enrique had gone to water the many plants that would perish without his care. Mary and Enrique have been working hard to restore the huerta for over two years, together with rebuilding the house Enrique grew up in the same town, both inheritance projects.
While driving home to Astorga, Enrique fell asleep at the wheel. There was no traffic in the oncoming lane at that moment, so no one else was involved. The car crossed the opposite lane and crashed into a concrete irrigation canal at 60 mph and was demolished. Mici died on impact, Enrique was badly injured, but pulled himself out of the vehicle and collapsed on the ground just before the arrival of the first responders. Two hours passed before Sombra was taken to the emergency vet where she died shortly after surgery. 
Immediately upon arriving to the hospital, Enrique underwent surgery to stop massive hemorrhaging caused by the impact. Five days later, the doctors discovered that he had a small undetected, unattended perforation in his colon and by that time his body had filled with infection, the equivalent of having a burst appendix. They performed a second surgery to sew up his colon and clean what they could from his intestinal area. Again, five days after the second surgery, his body became full of infection. A third surgery was performed to wash out the infection, cut out the dead and gangrene-infected intestines, and perform a colonoscopy. However, the infection continued. 
At this point, the doctors told Mary that if Enrique underwent a fourth surgery, he would die. He was put into a medically induced coma, and while the doctors told us we must still have hope they also prepared us for the worst. Enrique was in grave danger.
Not long after, a fourth surgery was performed in an attempt to stop/slow the infection. The doctors explained that the antibiotics he was being administered were the equivalent of trying to hold back a waterfall with a bandaid. Things were looking beyond grim. In addition to the infection, the secondary effects of surgery (such as tissue damage and loss) escalated the seriousness of the situation. 
A fifth surgery was performed to clean out his abdomen and they found another tear in his intestine. At this point all of his internal organs were too delicate to move or clean. Each move, each stitch, caused even more internal damage. During this surgery the doctors decided not to sew him up any more, but rather installed a type of sponge covering his open abdomen, which would hopefully absorb infection while tubes around the abdominal cavity helped drain the infection from his body. After this, a series of less invasive surgeries to clean the sponge and remove infection were scheduled every few days. 
After the sixth surgery, they began to reduce the amount of sedatives they were administering to Enrique. This was to test how he would react to the levels of pain his body was experiencing and to see if he could start breathing with less assistance from the respirator. On Friday, July 26th, Enrique opened his eyes for the first time since the induced coma and was able to track our movements as we moved around his hospital bed.
The doctors have informed us that we should not get our hopes up yet, as anything, even something minor, could easily reverse any progress we are seeing. His abdomen is still completely open, covered by just the sponge and some plastic, and the infection is still present. They are not planning on removing any of the tubes inserted into his nose/mouth/throat, as they need to be ready for surgery at any moment. It is a very somber and painful reminder of how serious this situation continues to be.
It is unknown how long Enrique will be in the ICU. The doctors have informed us that it will be a long, long, road to any significant recovery. How long though, is unknown. This tragedy has become the new reality for Enrique and Mary, both.
Current Needs:
Prayers and best wishes:
Please keep Enrique and Mary in your thoughts and prayers. Each day brings new medical challenges for Enrique. Mary is dealing with waves of grief, as well as adjusting to this harsh new reality. Your kind words are so appreciated, but also please be patient, knowing that during a time like this, it can be very difficult to individually respond to well-meaning loved ones. Please know that she and Enrique would love to express a million thank yous for your continued prayers for healing and peace during this time.
Monetary Needs:
Because Spain is a Social Democracy, all of the medical costs associated with Enrique's hospital stay and surgeries are covered. However, this tragedy still carries a tremendous personal financial burden.
1. Mary is and will not be able to work fully as she will be traveling back and forth between Astorga and Leon by bus, because León is where the closest hospital is located.
She cancelled all of her English classes in her home academy for the month of July. In August and future months her hours to devote to her students will be drastically reduced while Enrique remains in the hospital, but also when he eventually returns home. While direct medical costs are covered in Spain, there are very limited resources for any kind of home care. As such, depending on Enrique's needs when he is released from the ICU, Mary will be assuming the role of caretaker for Enrique. This will further limit her ability to maintain and teach classes.
2. While Mary has been extremely blessed with a temporary place to stay up until now while Enrique is in the ICU, the costs still add up. From bus tickets to and from the hospital twice a day, eating out when its impossible to prepare food between visits, traveling by bus out to the huerta to harvest plants and water as much as possible, and bus tickets back to Astorga when she is able to work. These things add up quickly and it is already taking a toll, especially since she can't work at the moment. It is unknown how long Enrique will need to stay in the hospital, and how long Mary will need to continue to travel by bus to see him.
3. Mary would like to be able to provide flights to those of her children that are able to come to give support during this difficult time. Otherwise, it would be a major financial sacrifice for them to travel to Spain. So any amount of money would greatly help in assisting visits.
4. Mary and Enrique's Volkswagen Passat was totaled. They had liability insurance, but their car insurance wasn't comprehensive and doesn't cover the cost of a replacement car. As such, Mary and Enrique don't have the funds to purchase another car at this time. Mary is currently in the process of obtaining her Spanish drivers license, and now, more than ever, will need to be the main driver as far as we know at this time. If they do not have a car they will be extremely limited in their ability to make doctors appointments, check on the huerta and house that is currently under construction and will be stuck in Astorga, except for bus travel. Of course, if a car is purchased as the result of this Go Fund Me, it will be a used car.
5. While not directly related to the accident, Mary's laptop is over ten years old, the sound is out and irreparable and it needs to be replaced. This was something she planned to do before the accident. It's her lifeline to communication with friends and family, but more importantly, it is a crucial tool for her English classes both in person and online. Since Mary will be unable to work the same hours because of traveling to Leon and eventually time spent as a caretaker for Enrique, it will be extremely difficult for her to purchase a new laptop during this difficult time.
Finally, as Mary shared early on, she made a commitment to help her Ethiopian son Tadi, finish college. It's $300.00 every quarter, or $1,200.00 p/year. He's a second-year English student she taught class with every day in Dhadim last summer. He's doing his best to become a village teacher in Ethiopia, and recently had his small house he shares with his wife and two children demolished by road construction. She hopes to continue his support to study.
Any amount that is donated will help tremendously. From the cost of a bus ticket, to helping with the purchase of a new (used) car, every bit is greatly appreciated as they move through this time of hardship. Thank you for your continued support and love. It is appreciated more than you could ever know.
Enrique is still very much in danger and we will do our best to make sure you are all updated on the current status of things. Please check here first before privately messaging Mary for updates as she is already spread extremely thin. Thank you for your understanding.
