Category Archives: healthcare

The last week of my mom’s life

March 7, 2021 It’s Saturday and I’ve spent most of the night searching for a trio of mariachis who can come to my mom’s house on very short notice (14 hours to be exact). I have to make this happen. Over the years, I had promised my mom that one day she’d wake up toContinue reading “The last week of my mom’s life”

It’s cancer… and it’s everywhere

Standing outside my mom’s door are six doctors. I quickly learn that it’s never a good thing to have so many doctors waiting to see you. As I approach, I say hello and smile like an idiot. I have no idea what I’m walking into. And then I hear the words that would change me, and the course of my life, forever.

Part 5: The final February with my mom

February 25, 2021 Today has been surreal. It started with me “kidnapping” my mom from a horrible hospital and rushing her to Mayo Hospital via a medical transport van paid for with my credit card less than 12 hours ago. This feels like the plot in one of those suspense novels my mom used toContinue reading “Part 5: The final February with my mom”

Part 4: The final February with mom

“Promise me that you’ll live your lives. For me. For the family. Promise me.” ~ My Mom. It’s 1 p.m. on February 25, 2021 and we just finished “kidnapping” my mom from Abrazo Hospital. She’s now resting comfortably and in good hands with the ER doctors and nurses at Mayo Hospital. A team of doctorsContinue reading “Part 4: The final February with mom”

Part 3: The final February with my mom

“You just keep going, mija. Breathe, just breathe, and keep going.” ~ My Mom. WEDNESDAY, FEB. 24, 2021 I wake up exhausted with swollen eyes and half a plan. It’s not really a plan, it’s a goal: Get my mom out of Abrazo Hospital. I spend the day calling the hospital. Case Managers. Supervisors ofContinue reading “Part 3: The final February with my mom”

Part 2: The final February with my mom

“There will come a day when you’ll have to make some really hard decisions. Remember to be strong.” ~ Mom. I was 5 years old when my Tío Manuel was in a car accident. I told my mom once that I remembered the night of the accident, vividly, but that I couldn’t remember anything else.Continue reading “Part 2: The final February with my mom”