Jorge Pacifico GBM Brain Cancer Battle
Donation protected
For the Pacifico Family the month of March typically brought joy into their lives, but March 15, 2018 will forever be the day that changed their world. On March 12, 2018 the whole family was together celebrating the birth of the first grandchild, and then their youngest daughter's birthday on the 13th. Little did we know that just three days later, our dad and husband would start the battle of his life.
March 15, 2018 was when our father was admitted to the hospital and misdiagnosed with a stroke. Due to this misdiagnosis, he was given the wrong treatment and was paralyzed; that first evening, we were told our dad may not make it through the night. Jorge Pacifico is a fighter, so we had all the hope that he would make it through the night and start his recovery. He walked out of the house that morning and into the ambulance, not knowing he would never walk again. For the next few months, our mother lived at the hospital and rehab facility that our parents now knew as “home.” Not knowing what was on the horizon, we just knew our dad was going to pull through this and get to go back home.
In June 2018, our dad was completing his rehab and was getting prepared to be sent home, but something didn’t seem quite right. He was finally set to go home for the first time since March 15, but instead he was readmitted to the hospital. This time, we learned the most devastating news: “He has a brain tumor the size of a baseball.” A tumor they said? Can it be removed? Can we take him home after? What does this all mean? When will he start rehab? Again, our world was turned upside down.
On June 17, 2018 Jorge was surrounded by all of his loved ones as he celebrated Father’s Day by eating his favorite homemade meal and watching the Brazilian soccer team on TV. Just a few days later, he was set to have brain surgery to debulk the tumor. Due to his prior battles, the surgery was deemed risky and we were told that he may potentially come out not knowing his family, not being able to speak, and just digress in general. Surgery was completed and the moment he woke up, he was speaking; he then learned from his eldest daughter that in that very moment she was expecting her first child and their second grand baby. We wanted him to continue to fight this, and he wanted to also! However, the surgeon confirmed our worst fear: the tumor was a grade 4 glioblastoma multiforme brain tumor, a terminal diagnosis.
For those of you that know our parents, they’re the most hard working individuals you’ve ever met known all over the CSRA and surrounding areas. They would do anything for anyone and were always willing to help out in any way they could. They have owned their own construction business for 25+ years and only know hard, physical labor. Since March 2018, our mother has done everything in her being -- God willing -- to keep afloat and keep their business running. This has meant countless hours in and out of the hospitals and rehab facilities in Aiken, Augusta, and now Charleston making sure our father gets the treatments he needs to keep going -- all the while keeping their business running and making sure they have a roof to live under. To say the household and medical bills have racked up would be an understatement.
At this point in time, we are all enjoying the days we have with our father and ask that you consider helping support our mom and dad through any denomination of a donation to help with their daily expenses as we prepare to say goodbye to our patriarch. Anything to help our mom enjoy the final days she has with her husband of 34 years and make her life a little less exhausting will be a huge help. The expenses will go towards their travel to and from Charleston for his treatments and appointments, monthly bills, medical expenses, and other needs. For everyone that has been there thus far to support our family, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We know the hardest days are yet to come, but we are trusting in God.
Jesus replies “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” John 13:7.
March 15, 2018 was when our father was admitted to the hospital and misdiagnosed with a stroke. Due to this misdiagnosis, he was given the wrong treatment and was paralyzed; that first evening, we were told our dad may not make it through the night. Jorge Pacifico is a fighter, so we had all the hope that he would make it through the night and start his recovery. He walked out of the house that morning and into the ambulance, not knowing he would never walk again. For the next few months, our mother lived at the hospital and rehab facility that our parents now knew as “home.” Not knowing what was on the horizon, we just knew our dad was going to pull through this and get to go back home.
In June 2018, our dad was completing his rehab and was getting prepared to be sent home, but something didn’t seem quite right. He was finally set to go home for the first time since March 15, but instead he was readmitted to the hospital. This time, we learned the most devastating news: “He has a brain tumor the size of a baseball.” A tumor they said? Can it be removed? Can we take him home after? What does this all mean? When will he start rehab? Again, our world was turned upside down.
On June 17, 2018 Jorge was surrounded by all of his loved ones as he celebrated Father’s Day by eating his favorite homemade meal and watching the Brazilian soccer team on TV. Just a few days later, he was set to have brain surgery to debulk the tumor. Due to his prior battles, the surgery was deemed risky and we were told that he may potentially come out not knowing his family, not being able to speak, and just digress in general. Surgery was completed and the moment he woke up, he was speaking; he then learned from his eldest daughter that in that very moment she was expecting her first child and their second grand baby. We wanted him to continue to fight this, and he wanted to also! However, the surgeon confirmed our worst fear: the tumor was a grade 4 glioblastoma multiforme brain tumor, a terminal diagnosis.
For those of you that know our parents, they’re the most hard working individuals you’ve ever met known all over the CSRA and surrounding areas. They would do anything for anyone and were always willing to help out in any way they could. They have owned their own construction business for 25+ years and only know hard, physical labor. Since March 2018, our mother has done everything in her being -- God willing -- to keep afloat and keep their business running. This has meant countless hours in and out of the hospitals and rehab facilities in Aiken, Augusta, and now Charleston making sure our father gets the treatments he needs to keep going -- all the while keeping their business running and making sure they have a roof to live under. To say the household and medical bills have racked up would be an understatement.
At this point in time, we are all enjoying the days we have with our father and ask that you consider helping support our mom and dad through any denomination of a donation to help with their daily expenses as we prepare to say goodbye to our patriarch. Anything to help our mom enjoy the final days she has with her husband of 34 years and make her life a little less exhausting will be a huge help. The expenses will go towards their travel to and from Charleston for his treatments and appointments, monthly bills, medical expenses, and other needs. For everyone that has been there thus far to support our family, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We know the hardest days are yet to come, but we are trusting in God.
Jesus replies “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” John 13:7.
Organizer and beneficiary
Vanessa Young
Organizer
Aiken, SC
Debra Pacifico
Beneficiary
