We were ready to celebrate Mother's day as a family. But, we never expected to find out our dad had blood cancer. My name is rita gabriela, and after extended hospitalizations, countless appointments, and medical procedures, my family needs your help with our dad's medical expenses.

In May, we learned that our dad had a mass in his abdomen between his kidneys and spine. Over the next few days, we couldn’t help but notice how much weight he'd lost, how tired he was, and how difficult it had become for him to walk. How was this mass affecting him? Was it benign? Was he going to be okay? We waited anxiously for his appointment with an oncologist to help us answer all the questions that were coming up.

Within days, however, we had to rush him to the hospital. He was in pain and had body tremors. We learned that the mass was impacting his kidneys, causing dangerous inflammation and an infection in his urine. His sodium levels were alarmingly low, and if we had waited any longer before taking him to the emergency room, he could have had a seizure. With four fractured ribs and a fracture in his spine, it was a wonder he could still walk. We also discovered he had eight other masses in his chest and spine. We were scared, anxious, and devastated. And still, we didn’t know what was causing all of this or if he would be okay.

His first hospital visit lasted five days. They treated his symptoms and performed a biopsy before they discharged him. After that, he seemed so well, and we had renewed hope that things would continue getting better. So it was a huge shock that we would have to take him back just two days later.

His sodium levels were dangerously low. Not only that, but the urine infection had returned and, this time, had spread to his blood. Finally, his biopsy results were in: he had Stage 4 Double-hit B-Cell Lymphoma. After treating his blood infection and elevating his sodium levels, they sent him home. As excited as he was to be in the comfort of his own home, bringing our dad home was challenging because there was nothing we could do to help him heal. We were scared we would end up making things worse.

Waiting another two weeks for his oncology appointment would prove impossible because he was back in the hospital for the third time after just four days. His chest masses had doubled, and the lymphoma had reached his bone marrow. We were so relieved when he was admitted directly to the oncology department, assigned an in-house oncologist with over 20 years of practice, and finally began his cancer treatment. It felt like a weight had been lifted.

During our dad’s hospitalizations, at least one person in our family stayed with him to keep him company and help him communicate with hospital staff. My family and i are doing what we can to make him feel loved and supported throughout this experience. Our mom especially works hard day and night to continue paying all the bills and caring for our dad at home. We need your help.

In the last month, our dad, El Borrego, has spent 26 days in the hospital. He has undergone procedures to protect his kidneys, treat infections and diagnose his cancer. His oncologist is offering the most aggressive chemotherapy treatment for his Stage 4 Lymphoma, for which he will need daily clinic visits during the next six to eight months. Because of this, we need to relocate our parents closer to the hospital.

He is back at home now, echándole ganas para superar todo esto. We’ve had to purchase mobility devices at home to help him rest comfortably and move around safely. In addition, physical therapists and nurses visit him at home to help him heal. We are struggling with the medical expenses that all of this brings and need your help.

We are grateful for the care he has received. We are hopeful that he will recover. And if you’ve made it this far, we appreciate you for supporting us through this difficult time.

Con mucho, mucho amor,

rita gabriela y la familia Marquez ❤