Funeral expenses for 6-year-old Isaías Rodriguez

Hi, my name is Jen.  I want to share the story of a courageous little boy and his family.  Isaías is just 6-years-old and has been battling his terminal cancer for over 4 years!  Isaías is in Hospice and will not be with us much longer.   His family is struggling with his funeral and burial costs.  The Rodriguez family and I are creating this gofundme to share his story and help raise the $12,000 needed to celebrate the life Isaías has lived.

 

 

 

 

Words from Isaías's Dad, Ivan Rodriguez:

 

"In August of 2018, when Isaías was just 2 years old, he was diagnosed with a high-grade Neuroepithelial Tumor in his central nervous system.   My son did chemotherapy for 3 months and 3 months of stem cell transplant, followed by 30 days of radiation.   After all his treatments were completed, Isaías went for his MRI check-up and it was clear!   Isaías was stable.

 

 

He remained stable at every additional 3 month MRI appointment until March of 2020 when cancer returned.

Unfortunately, not only were Isaías tumors in his brain but they had now spread to his spine.   Isaías had to go back on treatment again. After 5 months of chemotherapy and 33 days of full body radiation he was finally stable after this round of treatments were finished.   After finishing his treatment in early 2021 the tumors were still showing in his MRI's, but they were not growing and he was stable.

 

 

In February 2022, Isaías went back for his 3 months check up and that’s when we received the worst devastating news any parent ever wants to hear... there is nothing we can do, the cancer is progressing!   Isaías now has 11 tumors in his spine and 1 in his brain.   That was in February of this year and his tumors are still growing.

 

 

Isaías has terminal cancer and is now in hospice.   He only takes medication for pain control and now his days are spent laying in bed and sleeping.   Isaías has now lost movement in his legs and his arms and cannot move at all.   He gets so upset knowing he can not play like a normal kid anymore.   He can't play with his video games or even ride his bike now.   He cries when he sees other children doing things that he wants to do.   We don’t know how much time he will be with us so want to be prepared.   We have faith in God and his plan and we are still waiting on a miracle.   We also know sometimes it doesn’t work like that if it’s not in God's will and we have to accept it.

 

There's a saying 'All heroes don't wear capes' that in fact is very true.   Our son Isaias is our little hero, our warrior.   He has been thru so much since his journey started.   He's been very strong even through his toughest battles he never said no.    He has always kept his head up and never complained about his illness, never questioned, never said why me, never said 'i'm only a child that wants to grow up and be a child', he just kept on going.   Our Lord works in mysterious ways its just that sometimes we don't see it or if we do we just don't bother to pay attention.   

Before our trials that God permitted to come into our lives my life was messed up and my life was all over the place.   I was involved in gangs, drugs and surrounded by bad things.   I know that God always tried  to get my attention but I never saw it or if I did I never paid attention to it.   I was lost in my own world, I was lost in what I thought I was happy doing according to me.   I didn't need God until August 2018 when God permitted this trial to enter our lives and changed us completely.   I gave up all my past ways and I believe that was the only way for God to get my attention, permitting these trials.   Knowing it will not be easy, but with having God on your side it makes a big difference and now my life is completely different!    God took me out of the past I was in, lost, and he broke my chains.    At first I told God to heal my son and I kept begging for his healing!    Even sometimes getting upset with God because it was never going the way we wanted.  It was getting worse but God knows what he is doing and if he has not sent my son his healing I know its for a good reason.

There's a psalm that I really love.    Psalms 121  GOD WILL NEVER FAIL YOU -  'I lift up my eyes to the mountains, from where shall come my help?   My help comes from the LORD maker of heaven and earth.    He will always be with us until the end of the world, that's a promise.' (Mathew 28;20).    Another promise that I keep in my heart is from the gospel of John 11:4 -  'This illness will not end in death rather it is for God's glory and the Son of God will be glorified through it.'

It is hard to change direction from hope for healing to peace and acceptance of the soon passing of our son.   We do not have the money for Isaías's funeral expenses.   We are asking friends, family and supporters for help to provide Isaías and our family with our goal of $12,000.  We will use this money to honor our son with a funeral Mass, cemetery costs and a proper burial in the coming days.   We greatly appreciate any support and God bless!"

 

I am so moved by this family and how strong their faith in God has become, especially as they have walked this devastating journey with their youngest son, Isaías!   Ivan and his family are good people going through the unbearable loss of their son.   I ask that you pray for them and Isaías.   Please consider donating if you are able to do so.   We are so very grateful for every donation!   I also pray this will be a place for friends and loved ones to share memories and support for each other and the Rodriguez family through this very difficult time.