Support Jose Fajardo's Fight with Stage IV Cancer

On February 10th, the eve of my sister's 24th birthday, our dad, José, was taken to the ER for what we thought was just a case of horrible acid reflux.


He has been suffering from mild reflux for about a year and had gone to his PCP for treatment multiple times. He was prescribed over-the-counter acid reducers and was believed healthy, even after the radiologist took a look at his stomach and intestines last year. It wasn't until last Christmas that things took a turn for the worst. During that time, my dad started to lose weight rapidly, complained about feeling full, and could not eat when he was hungry. I began to cook soft foods for him to digest in hopes that he would gain some weight back. It seemed like it was working and he even gained some color back when my mom safely returned home, or so we thought. Everything he ate, he would immediately excrete after. My father pretended to be fine and strong to not worry us. There were several points where he would go without eating. The smile that we once saw daily, quickly faded right in front of us. His face just showed pain and discomfort.

The first time we took my dad to the ER was for excessive vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss.  Multiple tests were taken, including an Endoscopy and Colonoscopy.  Even these were a feat, as his low potassium levels threatened his ability to undergo these procedures. By the grace of God, he was able to sustain his potassium levels high enough. Soon after looking at his test results, his PCP had consulted with a Gastroenterologist and a Colon and Rectal Surgeon who concluded that he was suffering from a rare chronic inflammatory bowel condition called Crohn's Disease. We were shocked but relieved to have a name for his illness. His doctors recommended he stay in the hospital until he was fully hydrated and able to eat enough to come back home. He was released eight days later and was prescribed some oral steroids to help with his inflammation and medicine to help with his bowel movements and nausea.  My mom, my three sisters, and I were so relieved and excited to finally have him back. All of our neighbors and family friends had prayed for his health and safe return. We all had prayed and wished for our life to go back to normal when our dad stayed with us and head onto a swift recovery. We were all ready to learn to live a life with Crohn's Disease.
Two days after his release and after a disastrous winter storm, a second trip to the ER revealed our beloved dad is suffering from Stage IV Colon and Stomach Cancer.

He is currently in critical condition but under the care of a great and compassionate team at the Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. Due to both tumors' aggressive nature, they have decided on a colostomy to relieve the bloating in his stomach and intestines. Chemotherapy will follow as soon as he can eat and sustain solid foods. His doctors are working tirelessly to figure out what is the best course of treatment.


Our dad was our main source of income in our household. This fundraiser will help our family to pay for his medical bills, mortgage, and at-home nursing care.

From a young age, he came over to the United States in search of better opportunities. He worked hard towards making a family of his own and providing them with everything. My father has the privilege of being a girl dad. Not once was my father ever embarrassed about having four daughters, nor did he ever prefer to have a boy. My father doted on every single one of us so much. My mom reminds us of how dearly our father cares for us. One way he did so was when he'd say "esto para mis niñas, eso para mis niñas, todo para mis niñas". He would do anything and everything for us.