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Father of 7 needs brain surgery.

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My husband and father of seven (five who still live at home) Joe Salazar, needs your prayers and support to get thru the most challenging time of his life.

On July 17th 2015 our family’s lives were turned upside down. We received news that Joe has a brain tumor implanted on his brain stem and that the prognosis isn’t great and surgery is a must.  This diagnosis followed six months of weird symptoms, such as numbness on his left side and debilitating headaches, thru which he continued to work full time. We met with a neuro surgeon the following week and we were referred to Swedish Medical Center in Englewood Colorado, which is two hours from our home, as no one in our area could perform the operation.  On July 27th Joe started experiencing extreme pain in his left leg and couldn’t walk. We rushed him to the emergency room not knowing what was happening and found out he had a blood clot in his femoral artery (the main artery in his leg) after 3 days in the hospital we were told that they could not operate to remove the blood clot because of the brain tumor, so they gave him injectable blood thinners and sent him home.

The following day we met with Dr. Hebb in Englewood, a Neuro Surgeon, and brain surgery was set for the 11th of September 2015. At this appointment we were informed that there were risks of paralysis, the loss of his ability to, swallow, breath on his own, speak, walk, or he could have a stroke or heart attack during the operation and die.  However, the tumor has to come out or it will block the flow of spinal/brain fluid and he will die. 

We were also told that he needed an additional surgery to implant a “metal umbrella” or mesh in his stomach to prevent any blood clots from traveling thru his arteries and lodging in his lungs, heart, or brain during the five hour surgery or six weeks of recovery time. If this were to happen it would kill him. So now not only do we have his brain tumor to deal with and the potential risks associated with it; he now has the possibility of producing a blood clot that could end his life because he cannot remain on the blood thinners with an upcoming surgery.

 Due to Joe’s ongoing and increasingly worsening medical condition he was told that he cannot return to work, drive, or basically be left alone in case he God forbid has a stroke or a seizure. We have applied for short term disability through his job, which will pay 70% of his income before deductions, and are awaiting approval. Several of his amazing co-workers have offered to donate their own hard earned vacation time so that our family isn’t without income while we are in limbo, but it is all a process and is not a guarantee.

I am unable to work because I have to be available twenty-four hours a day to care for Joe, as well as, our five children, and make sure that he gets to and from all of his medical appointments and receives the after care that is necessary during his six weeks of recovery time following the surgery (if all goes perfect).  We have reached out to all of the local organizations such as united way and the department of human services but due to the fact that we are waiting on disability and that he had income for the month of July we do not qualify for any type of assistance and wont until he is out of work for a full month. Our rent alone is $1200.00 a month and our landlord is unable to work with us (I’ve asked), we pay for all utilities and are facing disconnection on our natural gas and electric. We also have five children who are starting back to school on August 20th and we cannot afford to buy their school supplies or clothes and shoes, as all of our savings have gone to insurance deductibles, co pays, and gas to get to and from medical appointments, and food to feed our family.  I am also going to have to stay in Englewood (two hours from home) for the initial five days following his surgery in case there are complications, and will need to commute back and forth each day to take our children to and from school.

I have taken every step possible to reduce costs (disconnecting cable, children’s cell phones, generic brands, etc) yet we still can’t seem to get above water. So my husband and I have decided to swallow our pride and reach out to all of you in hopes that we can raise enough money to get through the next several months without losing our home, having our utilities disconnected, losing the ability to properly feed and clothe our children, and pay all of the upcoming medical costs associated with both of these surgeries.  

I know that this time of year is difficult for most so if you are able to donate financially I will forever be in your debt. If you cannot I completely understand and ask that you send prayers and positive thoughts for our family.

-Angel Salazar
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Donations 

  • Bobby Hernandez
    • $40
    • 9 yrs
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Organizer

Angelina Salazar
Organizer
Greeley, CO

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