My name is Gabriela and with my sister Daniela we want to share with you the most terrifying experience in our lives.

Our mother Virginia Pomar has always been a strong, lively, and dedicated woman. In just a couple of months the whole trajectory of her life has changed. Everything that she had seen as normal and as a part of her daily life was taken away from her. This wasn’t the first time a mass was found in our mother’s body, this has happened before but before they were all benign. It was different, she went through a series of exams because doctors didn’t like what they were seeing on the screen.

My mother at first felt shortness of breath and pain in her chest, she believed at first it was just the fact she was getting older. Gradually these symptoms became more prevalent, she decided to tell her doctor about it and that is when they ordered her a radiography. But this radiography wasn’t the first of many tests that came to be after the radiography my mother proceeded to get a CT scan, and two MRI’s with contrast, and finally a PET scan. Through all these tests the surgeon decided best to take out the biggest nodule in her left lung to see what was going on with my mom. Road to surgery wasn’t easy either; her surgery was postponed due to her having issues with her blood. Going to a hematologist a couple of times in order to get the “ok” for the surgery. This whole process of regulating her blood and going to the hematologist took about a month. But what awaited us was not what we expected.

January 3rd my mother underwent surgery in her left lung. After the surgery we had never seen my mother so fragile, tired, and unmotivated. It was January 19th. A couple of weeks had gone by and it was time to hear the results of pathology of this nodule. The news that we had heard was not what we expected. My mother was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma intrathoracic cancer. My heart dropped to my stomach when I heard the news, my mother and father started crying. I have never seen my father cry. I wanted to cry but I couldn’t because I knew I had to be strong for my mom. I texted my sister the news and she couldn’t believe it either.

Our family has been rocked by this news affecting everyone. Especially my father, he is constantly working to make ends meet for this family, but at the same time he keeps calling out work to go to every single appointment my mother has and her chemo treatments. Taking care of my mother also after her chemo treatments have made all 3 of us take time off from school or work. This has affected us financially and as well with me and my sister academically. At times me or my sister have to leave college or school in order to accompany my mother to some of these appointments. My dad can’t keep leaving work or not showing because we can’t afford him taking the day off for our mother.

This is a massive change in our way of life. My mother has a long road ahead of her with both chemotherapy and radiation therapy being in her future. This whole process can take months. Me and my sister try to stay strong and to be our mother’s rock. But we can see the worry in her face and in my father’s face. My sister and I want to raise funds to alleviate the stress this whole situation brings to our father financially and also basic needs of our family like groceries, utilities, etc. We keep telling ourselves that this isn't forever but this whole month now has felt like an eternity. But through the strength of God we believe that this is just a trial that we have to get through as a family in order to see the brighter side.

We thank every single one of you who wants to help our mother Virginia and take time out of your day to hear our story. We are so incredibly thankful for everything and any contribution that you can do to help our situation. GOD BLESS YOU ALL.