Michael Dominguez

My name is Michelle Moleres, daughter of Michael Dominguez, or as my dad always called me, “daughter.”

 

My father’s life recently came to a tragic end. Words cannot explain the pain and the heartache that my family has been through over the last couple of weeks. We watched our dad fight for his life, a battle that he gave his all too, but still ended up losing. My father was diagnosed with cancer recently, for the second time in over a year. He beat cancer the first time just earlier this year, then it come back once again. This recent diagnosis has been hard on me and my family. We thought my father would be going through another long battle and we feared the worst. Knowing how weak he already was, he remained optimistic and he felt that he could once again defeat cancer.

 

Then, on Sunday September 5th, my father was brutally attacked, he was beaten badly, stabbed multiple times and was left for dead in his home. The police have yet to find a suspect and the investigation seems to be at a standstill.

 

Dad was flown to UNM Hospital in Albuquerque, where he immediately underwent surgery. My husband and I rushed to Albuquerque to be with him. But because of his attack, we were not immediately allowed to get information or updates on him. The hospital would not even confirm that he even made it to the hospital. We waited several gut wrenching hours before finally getting released by the LVPD to get information on him and finally see him.

 

My dad was stubborn, but this stubbornness helped him fight with everything he had. He made it through his first surgery, then underwent a second one. The doctors stated the odds of dad making it through that surgery were slim, but they saw how hard he was fighting so they decide to proceed with the surgery. He went into a medical coma for several days. The doctors made several attempts to get him to breathe on his own, with each attempt failing.

 

An appointment was made with Palliative care on the 11th in the afternoon to prepare for the remaining days of his life. We feared the worst was yet to come. However, very early that same day, he woke up and started breathing on his own and was able to talk. At first, he kept repeating the same three words over and over. “Thank you God”, “Thank you God”. He was so thankful to be alive after such a vicious attack. He was aware of what happened to him and all he wanted was just to go home. He asked anyone he could if they could take him home. He even stated that in six days, he would be going home.

 

You see, home is supposed to be a safe place, a place where you feel most comfortable, a place where friends and family can visit, a place where you can listen to oldies, watch the Broncos play, and a place to be at peace. Home shouldn’t be a place to fear because someone decided to try and end his life there. We all wanted him to go home in six days, but little did we know, that six days later, he truly would be home, just not the home we hoped. God called his name and carried him home.

 

Dad’s life was stripped from us prematurely. We knew the next several months were going to be difficult, but we never expected to lose him so suddenly, and so tragically. We watched helplessly as he continued to give everything he had to fight. Then we watched as the tubes were disconnected, as his breathing continued to slow, as he caught Pneumonia, and we watched as his last rights were read to him. We prayed, and we hoped, then prayed some more. My father even asked that we pray the “Our Father” with him, so we prayed even more.

 

Death is something that we should all prepare for, no matter what age you are as it can be so unexpected. Unfortunately, dad did not have any life insurance, he had no intention of dying. Not only are we now grieving for my father, we are left with many questions as to who could do something so terrible to someone who was already so weak. He did not deserve this, not this way. He wasn’t given the chance to beat cancer again. He was taken too soon.

 

My family and I graciously ask for your assistance to help dad with expenses. If you are unable to give, we ask that you pray for my dad and for my family to help us through this extraordinarily difficult time. 

I thank you in advance for everything that our friends and family have done and will do to help us through this tragedy.

 

Dad you were not only a father, but also a grandpa, a son, a brother and a friend, may you rest in peace and know that you are truly loved and will be greatly missed. Be with God and those loved ones that were lost before you. Until we meet again….

 

Sincerely,

 

Daughter and Sons