Luis' Heart Needs Love and Support
Donation protected
Many of you know me well. Fred, part Californian, part Nicaraguan and parts yet unknown. But I am here today to ask for your help to literally save the life of my friend, brother, son, Luis Sanchez. He has looked after my house in Nicaragua for 8 years and as those of you who know Luis, he has etched a place in all our hearts. His heart is bigger than life. His love and desire to help is limitless. And I have seen him grow from a boy into a man. There is no better friend I could have. He is not a caretaker - cuidador, he is part of the family, as is his wife Evelyn and two sons, one 3, one 11. I love this guy with all my heart. 
Greeted by the big smile. Machete in hand to chop down a papaya or mango or orange for breakfast!
Recently, he had some pain in his chest. We originally thought it was heartburn, but after continued pain, he went to an excellent hospital for a month of tests. We now find out he has cardio-myopathy, enlarged heart with some damage to the heart and severe arrhythmia that can be fatal. His 30 year old brother dropped dead last year. Just like that. Luis is 32. He is on medicine which helps but is only a short term fix. After more extensive tests, we have learned that Luis needs an implanted defibrillator, similar to a pace maker, but it will jolt his heart should it slip into severe arrhythmia - literally a constant spasmodic heartbeat that inhibits blood and oxygen from getting to his body. As two excellent doctors have said, he is still now at risk of instant death. His brother died like this, literally collapsing one day from a massive heart attack.
You never see Luis in the pool - only when he's helping toddlers on their rafts!
We have had several opinions and are getting a third, but now is the time to raise the funds because it is likely that he will need an operation in 30-60 days. Meanwhile, he is relaxing - no working except watering plants and helping clients - and those of you who know Luis, know how difficult it is for him to relax!!
The money will cover his costs, tests, implant and anything else. The implant surgery is over $30,000, and that's in Nicaragua!!! And there are another 10,000 plus tests including hospitalization. If, for some unknown reason, there is money left over, it will either be returned or put in a trust for Luis' long time medical needs. Since Luis is in Nicaragua, I will be withdrawing funds for this and wiring money to a doctor I know and he wil dispense the funds to the appropriate doctors, labs, etc. I am going to Nicaragu around the 20th of June for several weeks to lend Luis a hand and offer any support I can. It's been a while and I want to see his smiling face. Maybe the operation will be scheduled and that is wht I am pushing to raise as much money as possible before then. I know, 40K in 5 weeks. A lot to ask but Luis is worth every penny.
In the campo, with his precious machete, after chopping down some huge weeds and old trees (not hardwoods!)
The boys, father and son, walking the hills above El Encanto and Bahia San Juan...Always smiling Luis
How important is this??? There is nothing in my life more important to me - except my sisters of course. Luis has become true family and he treats me the same. In Nicaragua everyone knows that I am the luckiest person to have Luis helping me, yes, but also, sharing my life as a close friend. He is blown away by the costs and actually thought he was going home to die when he heard how much some earlier tests would cost. ($5000). Unheard of sums to a poor man in the only 3rd world country in the Western hemisphere - average income is $2500/year and hunger is a major problem. I've assured him that I - and all his friends - will never let him die, that I will do anything to make sure he is around for the next 70 years!!
The plant maestro measured each plant. OK for Casa Roja??
My sister, Emily, comes down and they pal around. They have a mutual love affair, they are so bonded to each other and she is his confidant.
I love him with all my heart - as may some of you who know him. He is family and he needs help fast. Yes, $40,000 may be unheard of, to raise but I am going to do whatever is necessary to make this happen. I'm asking for your help. Whatever you can afford, is appreciated by me, by Luis, Evelyn and his two ninos. If you haven't met him yet, come on down and you will see what kind of person he is and how love radiates from his spirit. Thank you
Luis used to shoot our shotgun twice a week into the air, but now, it collects dust and needs cleaning. But he is our Protector
Doctor's Orders! Relax - He hates relaxing!!
This boy, all of 24 when he arrived, couldn't imagine his life ahead. He was just a part time gardner but turned into the jefe of Casa Rosa, dispensing far more love than I ever could have. He has saved my life when I was deathly ill, saved Toby when he had severe distress, loved Bella, my white boxer and buried here under a Coconut Tree when she died. We now have a Bella Plant
Luis, the BBQer, the dog lover, protector of the house, coffee maker, pool cleaner, parrot master, gourmet cooker of beans and rice, and gentle spirit who looks everywhere to help all. Now, after 7 years of faithful help, he needs a little of ours. There is no other better recipient of the phrase "what goes around, comes around!
Hang in their Luis! We have your back!!!
Greeted by the big smile. Machete in hand to chop down a papaya or mango or orange for breakfast!Recently, he had some pain in his chest. We originally thought it was heartburn, but after continued pain, he went to an excellent hospital for a month of tests. We now find out he has cardio-myopathy, enlarged heart with some damage to the heart and severe arrhythmia that can be fatal. His 30 year old brother dropped dead last year. Just like that. Luis is 32. He is on medicine which helps but is only a short term fix. After more extensive tests, we have learned that Luis needs an implanted defibrillator, similar to a pace maker, but it will jolt his heart should it slip into severe arrhythmia - literally a constant spasmodic heartbeat that inhibits blood and oxygen from getting to his body. As two excellent doctors have said, he is still now at risk of instant death. His brother died like this, literally collapsing one day from a massive heart attack.
You never see Luis in the pool - only when he's helping toddlers on their rafts!We have had several opinions and are getting a third, but now is the time to raise the funds because it is likely that he will need an operation in 30-60 days. Meanwhile, he is relaxing - no working except watering plants and helping clients - and those of you who know Luis, know how difficult it is for him to relax!!
The money will cover his costs, tests, implant and anything else. The implant surgery is over $30,000, and that's in Nicaragua!!! And there are another 10,000 plus tests including hospitalization. If, for some unknown reason, there is money left over, it will either be returned or put in a trust for Luis' long time medical needs. Since Luis is in Nicaragua, I will be withdrawing funds for this and wiring money to a doctor I know and he wil dispense the funds to the appropriate doctors, labs, etc. I am going to Nicaragu around the 20th of June for several weeks to lend Luis a hand and offer any support I can. It's been a while and I want to see his smiling face. Maybe the operation will be scheduled and that is wht I am pushing to raise as much money as possible before then. I know, 40K in 5 weeks. A lot to ask but Luis is worth every penny.
In the campo, with his precious machete, after chopping down some huge weeds and old trees (not hardwoods!)The boys, father and son, walking the hills above El Encanto and Bahia San Juan...Always smiling Luis
How important is this??? There is nothing in my life more important to me - except my sisters of course. Luis has become true family and he treats me the same. In Nicaragua everyone knows that I am the luckiest person to have Luis helping me, yes, but also, sharing my life as a close friend. He is blown away by the costs and actually thought he was going home to die when he heard how much some earlier tests would cost. ($5000). Unheard of sums to a poor man in the only 3rd world country in the Western hemisphere - average income is $2500/year and hunger is a major problem. I've assured him that I - and all his friends - will never let him die, that I will do anything to make sure he is around for the next 70 years!!
The plant maestro measured each plant. OK for Casa Roja??My sister, Emily, comes down and they pal around. They have a mutual love affair, they are so bonded to each other and she is his confidant.I love him with all my heart - as may some of you who know him. He is family and he needs help fast. Yes, $40,000 may be unheard of, to raise but I am going to do whatever is necessary to make this happen. I'm asking for your help. Whatever you can afford, is appreciated by me, by Luis, Evelyn and his two ninos. If you haven't met him yet, come on down and you will see what kind of person he is and how love radiates from his spirit. Thank you
Luis used to shoot our shotgun twice a week into the air, but now, it collects dust and needs cleaning. But he is our ProtectorDoctor's Orders! Relax - He hates relaxing!!This boy, all of 24 when he arrived, couldn't imagine his life ahead. He was just a part time gardner but turned into the jefe of Casa Rosa, dispensing far more love than I ever could have. He has saved my life when I was deathly ill, saved Toby when he had severe distress, loved Bella, my white boxer and buried here under a Coconut Tree when she died. We now have a Bella Plant
Luis, the BBQer, the dog lover, protector of the house, coffee maker, pool cleaner, parrot master, gourmet cooker of beans and rice, and gentle spirit who looks everywhere to help all. Now, after 7 years of faithful help, he needs a little of ours. There is no other better recipient of the phrase "what goes around, comes around!
Hang in their Luis! We have your back!!!
Organizer
Fred Goldfarb
Organizer
San Anselmo, CA