Support Cristina through life-threatening surgery

After receiving her blessing to do so, I, Melinda, share with you all a very personal journey of someone I hold very dear to my heart, my beautiful cousin Cristina Rivera. Our dearest Cristina has been faced with many concerning health issues for many years now. The health issues began when she was only 17yo and was diagnosed with a chronic blood and hormone disorder, which since then has greatly impacted her life in many ways and over time has caused an array of other medical issues to arise. Some of the life altering side effects that came with her diagnoses have been ovarian issues, bleeding disorders, severe hemorrhaging, life threatening seizures, tumors, and many other issues. Due to the severe hemorrhaging, Cristina became severely anemic which caused her to develop stage 1 leukemia at a very young age. After undergoing all necessary treatment, I’m so thankful to say that she was able to fight and overcome this cancer.

In 2017, Cristina suffered a seizure while home alone, causing her to fall and injure her vertebrae. This injury caused irreparable nerve damage. Her neck and spine have remained extremely fragile and Cristina still suffers with mobility issues as a result of her injury. She has had 3 spinal surgeries. However, she is still unable to fully heal and will need additional surgeries.

Unfortunately the health concerns didn’t stop there. After a long continued battle of struggling with the severe chronic blood and hormone disorder, Cristina recently received news that she has no other choice but to undergo a very life changing surgery, a hysterectomy, in order to keep her alive. This chronic illness has progressed throughout the years, causing her to need emergency blood transfusions, and to develop numerous amounts of abnormal cysts and tumors on her ovaries and uterus, which now have high chances of becoming cancerous. She's been advised by her medical team that there is no other option but to perform the surgery as soon as possible, in hopes of reducing the risk of developing cancer. Aside from the physical pain that comes from this surgery, Cristina is being stripped away from her long awaited dream of one day bearing children of her own and becoming a mother. Knowing that she must go through with this surgery has not only brought a great amount of grief, but also a great amount of worry as the surgery is considered very high risk due to her current severe hemorrhaging and health problems.

Cristina’s surgery was originally scheduled in May, but she was unable to undergo surgery as she developed multiple pulmonary embolisms. The blood clots in her lungs led to her having a mini stroke. We thank God that with the proper care, all the love and prayers received, she was able to return to a stable condition after days of being hospitalized.

While being hospitalized for the stroke, many tests were ran and days later she was given new results that her blood disorder had further developed into an additional diagnoses that she must now treat daily.

 The days leading up to the surgery brought lots of worry, stress and many emotions. She shared with me that she felt it could’ve been a blessing in disguise that the surgery got canceled, as she deeply felt she wouldn’t have survived the procedure with all her current high risk complications. Cristina made sure she spent quality time with loved ones prior to the surgery, in case it was the last time. It breaks my heart to think that she felt that way…that she felt her time here with us was coming to an end. It’s my grandpa (who’s passed), Jorge, who she feels was watching over her.

 

Currently Cristina is on watch by medical professionals and her surgery is rescheduled to take place sometime this mid-summer, depending on her health conditions. As many who personally know Cristina, know that no matter what she has dealt with, she continues to try her best to push forward with great strength, faith, optimism and a bright spirit, always having a smile to share even in the midst of ongoing hardships and pain. She’s always been determined to work hard to support herself, help her family and others in need, and do her best to live a normal life even in her most fragile times. As much of a warrior as many of us know Cristina to be, this has all taken a toll on her, mentally, physically and emotionally. 

Despite the constant pain and emotional distress that she’s endured, Cristina has done her best to financially support herself, help her family and anyone in need. She’s worked through the pain and fatigue despite needing to be on bed rest. In recent years, many employers have let her go because of her health conditions and unexpected doctors/emergency room visits, which affected her attendance. Being faced with losing her jobs also meant losing her health insurance. Due to these circumstances, she again has lost her full time job, days before having the stroke.

Many of us know that no matter what Cristina has gone through, she has always showed up with a warming heart for those who’ve needed her. She’s been the one to gather our big family, coordinate get togethers, keep us all united. She’s our glue, we need her here with us, in a healthier condition, and we can’t do this life without her, that’s why I’m here reaching out to all of you. She’s meant to create many more beautiful memories with us, and needs our love and support to heal with some ease throughout these difficult times. I can’t express enough how much she needs us, her family, her friends, community, more than ever.

While we have each other at this moment in time, it’s never too late to make a difference in someone’s life. Even the smallest of acts can make a big impact. My asking of you from the depths of my heart, is that we gather together and support a loved one in need while we have the opportunity to. It’s in my highest hope that all of you who love Cristina and who have taken the time to read this, find it in your heart to help contribute to Cristina’s health and well being by making a donation, any/all amounts makes a difference, and if a donation isn’t feasible for you, a token of love and/or prayer is greatly appreciated. All donations will go directly to Cristina to help her pay for the high cost of medical bills and monthly rent/housing expenses to get her by for some time during this very difficult period in her life. This will help so much to release the financial stress she’s currently facing and will allow her to get much needed restful healing, avoid another stroke, and give her a peace of mind during recovery so that she doesn’t push herself to return to work immediately after her surgery.

Together, we can make a positive difference in a beautiful soul’s life.

Thank you so much for your support, love and taking the time to read this. All is deeply appreciated.

#helpforCici

#helpforCici

Thank you & many blessings,

-Melinda Villanueva & Rivera Family