MICHELLE AND VICTOR HENRIQUEZ JOURNEY: FIGHTING CANCER AND CHRONIC HYDROCEPHALUS TOGETHER

We are reaching out during a time of immense difficulty. I have undergone five brain surgeries to treat my chronic hydrocephalus diagnosis, and unfortunately, my condition continues to be a daily struggle. My husband, Victor, has also been diagnosed with highly aggressive prostate cancer, which has added an even heavier burden on both of us. We are facing an overwhelming medical journey that has left us in a place of financial hardship. We are asking for your help to ease some of the financial strain. If you are able to give, big or small, it will make a huge difference in easing the burden. If you are unable to give, please share with your friends and family. On behalf of our family, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kindness, prayers, and generosity during this difficult time we are facing.

About Victor and I…

Our love story started in 2010 when Victor and I started dating. Our relationship has been Christ centered and focused on the family since the beginning. Victor and I have always put family first with so much love and humbleness. Victor has two children, a 22-year-old son and a 24-year-old daughter.

Victor and I built a strong relationship together from 2010 to our wedding day, November 21, 2021 when we officially tied the knot and said our wedding vows. We walked by faith, not by sight. We enjoy attending church together on a regular basis, listening to Christian music together, praying, and taking walks with our two dogs. We love God and we love the outdoors.

About Victor…

Victor is currently a Registered Dental Hygienist for the last 20 years and works hard to provide for the both of us. He loves God and Family. Victor enjoys listening to Christian music in his quiet time alone every day.

About Michelle…

I am a Certified Public Accountant “Candidate” since 2019 and actively struggling but persistently studying and testing the 4 parts of the CPA exam. My goal that I set for myself to find my why and my purpose in life is to be independent and to start helping the love of my life and my family.

Our Health Struggles…

The Reality of Chronic Hydrocephalus: I live with chronic hydrocephalus, a condition where excess fluid puts pressure on the brain. For those unfamiliar with it, this means headaches, nausea, cognitive decline, balance issues, eyesight issues, temporary magnetic feet, etc. Managing a shunt, dealing with brain fog, migraines and the risk of further surgery add to the anxiety and uncertainty of what is next. The frequent hospital visits, shunt revisions, weekly visits to the Neurosurgeon and continuous care are part of a lifelong medical journey.

At the end of 2022, I was experiencing major health issues that we could not figure out until I was referred to a pain specialist, neurologist and then to a Neurosurgeon. I have undergone several brain MRI scans. I have been officially diagnosed with Chronic Hydrocephalus in October 2023. I have had an Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy (ETV) on December 1, 2023. I was in the Intensive Care Unit at Saddleback Hospital with a drain in my head for a week. My husband Victor was at the hospital with me before work, on his lunch break, and after work until midnight every single day. I went home on December 5, 2023 to recover. On December 8, 2023 we returned to the emergency room at 8:00PM with major life-threatening complications. I had an emergency surgery at 11:30PM with observation in the ICU for 10 more days to monitor the CSF fluid flow. I was open to the drain until December 18, 2023. The Neurosurgeon implanted a programmable shunt. I was in the ICU until December 24, 2023 and was able to go home the day before Christmas. In April 2024, I had another surgery to implant an anti-siphon gravitational programmable (MBlue) device. I was in ICU once again for a week. The entire year in 2024, I have had weekly visits to the Neurosurgeon to document and adjust settings and schedule imaging scans as needed. In April of 2025 I had another shunt revision brain surgery to reposition the shunt and clean out the tubing in my stomach where the fluid drains into the abdomen. The tubing was bulging and causing extreme discomfort. It was affecting my day-to-day tasks.

The Cancer Diagnosis: It all started with elevated PSA levels and persistent symptoms that led us to see a specialist for Victor. After a series of tests, we received the devastating diagnosis of an aggressive form of Prostate Cancer. This news has turned our world upside down, but we are committed to fighting this with all we have. The treatment plan includes surgery and recovery and bi-weekly doctor appointments, blood tests, and imaging scans. This will have an immense physical, emotional, financial, and mental toll.

• In June 2024, Victor went to the doctor to get his PSA checked and it was 1.99.

• In June 2025, Victor’s PSA was 7.22 HIGH. The doctor referred him to the Urologist with another PSA check in August 2025 and it was 9.1 HIGH with an ISO PSA of 13.8.

• Victor had a Prostate MRI on August 27, 2025 with findings of lesions.

• Within a week, Victor had a Prostate Biopsy on September 8, 2025.

• A few days later, the results came back as cancerous and a Gleason score of 9 which is an aggressive form of Prostate Cancer.

• On September 16, 2025 Victor had an F18 PSMA PET/CT scan

With our strong faith and prayers, the prostate cancer is organ contained and has not spread. God is good! Victor is scheduled on November 14, 2025 for a Robotic Prostatectomy, lymph node dissection, and right neurovascular bundle surgery. Victor will stay overnight in the hospital and discharged with a catheter for 2-3 weeks with an unknown time for full recovery. After surgery we will know more if he will need further cancer treatment like radiation or hormonal therapy. I enjoy working but my health does not allow me to hold a job yet because of my symptoms and weekly doctor appointments to the Neurosurgeon. When the time is right and in God’s plan, timing and will, I will start working again. I have the faith and hope in God, but right now, I need to focus on my health as well as my husband’s health and our full recovery so we can go back to work. Victor is a dental hygienist. His patients love him and he loves what he does.

A Dual Battle: The combination of these two illnesses for both of us puts us in a constant state of fighting. The treatments for cancer can complicate the management of daily living and at the same time with my management of hydrocephalus, requiring even more specialized care and monitoring. This has led to extended hospital stays and the need for my husband Victor being unable to work because of his cancer and my hydrocephalus treatment.

The funds we raise will be used to help with the following:

• Medical and treatment costs: Covering deductibles, co-pays, and other out-of-pocket costs.

• Daily living expenses: Assisting with essentials like groceries, utilities, and mortgage payments.

• Specialized care and equipment: Helping to pay for a new shunt or anti-gravitational (MBlue) device needed for managing the chronic hydrocephalus if one or both becomes infected or dislodged.

• Transportation: Covering gas and travel expenses for frequent trips to and from the hospital and specialty clinics.

• Caregiving support: Enabling family members to take time off work to be at appointments and provide necessary care.

A message of gratitude…

We know that times are tough for everyone, and asking for help is not easy. But your support, in any form would be a lifeline for us. Whether you can donate, share our story with your network, or simply send a word of encouragement and prayers, every act of kindness makes a world of difference. We are so grateful for your love and support as we face this battle for cancer and hydrocephalus together as husband and wife.

A prayer for healing, peace, strength and guidance… Isaiah 41:10: So, do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Prayer for my husband…

Heavenly Father,

We come before you today seeking your healing touch and strength. Please, Lord, grant Victor the strength to endure this trial. We know that you are the Great Healer, and we place our faith in you. Guide Victor through this difficult time and provide him with the support he needs from you Lord. Lord, we pray for a speedy recovery and a complete restoration of health and well-being. May we be able to return to life with renewed energy and vitality. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.