Joan, Goodbyes Aren't Forever...

September 16, 2022

It is with a heavy heart that I post this update-

Heaven gained a beautiful soul on Tuesday, September 13, 2022. Joan fought with every fiber of her being for the last eight months, but due to extremely complicated health issues during the last few weeks, she has joined her dad in paradise and is no longer suffering. Life is unfair at times, and this is definitely one of those times. For those that were lucky enough to have Joan grace your life with her amazing smile and crazy jokes, please think of her, say a prayer or positive thought and keep her joyful smile in your heart. She will live on forever in our memories.

The original GoFundMe was initially dedicated to getting Joan jump-started. Unfortunately, the funds will now be dedicated to helping her find peace in her final resting place. For those who have contributed to the initial effort, words can not express how grateful Joan and Misael were to have seen the love and support pouring in. As the unfortunate next step, we are reaching out for additional resources to lessen the unexpected financial burden on Misael as he grieves and lays Joan to rest. Anything big or small is appreciated during this unforeseen and unfortunate time.

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In late December of 2021 Joan contracted Covid. After a month, she still felt symptoms that she had thought was due to Covid. One day while hiking with her friends, she had shortness of breath with each step she took. Upon further discussion with her husband, Misael, they decided it was best to go to the doctors. The doctors performed multiple tests and sent her home to wait for the results. The following morning at 4 am, Misael receives a call from the doctors telling him, "you need to get your wife back in here now." This was when Joan's whole life changed. The doctors diagnosed her with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)...

Joan has endured seven rounds of chemo, multiple unexpected emergency room visits, sleepless nights, and overall pain and stress as she has been in and out of the hospital for the past seven months. It has taken a great toll on her and Misael both mentally and physically as they work to overcome this challenge. Being the trooper that she is, Joan finished her last round of chemo, and great news followed as she is headed towards the finish line.

Joan's next step is to jumpstart her body again with a bone marrow transplant. This critical procedure will help her get back to being able to live a strong and healthy life. Lucky for Joan, her brother was a complete match. As the timeframe for the transplant has been pushed up to provide her with the best possible outcome. It has created an unexpected financial burden as doctors require her and her husband to stay in the local vicinity of the hospital for a minimum of 3 months while Joan recovers as she will be severely immunocompromised. They live 2 hours away from the hospital. There are no other options at this time but to look for alternative housing in the area as they can not drive back and forth. They are asking for help to lessen the burden as they have to rent local housing, mortgage, car payments, insurance and other unexpected expenses that may arise.

All donations will go towards the following to help Joan:

Housing

Household Expenses

Daily Necessities

Unexpected Expenses

Getting to know Joan:

If you're fortunate to have someone in your life you could always depend on and be the first one to pick you up when you fall, then you have a Joan in your life. Joan is a person who will drop everything to help a person in need. It doesn't matter how big or small the problem is; she's always there to help. She has the heart of an explorer and adventurer. She loved to travel, try new foods and experience everything the world had to offer. Food is a big part of her life. She spent her time at the hospital watching the Food Network the whole time she was there. Her favorite show being Diners Drive-Ins and Dives. She kept dreaming of what her next food adventure may be. She is a devoted and loving wife to her husband Misael. The unconditional love they have for each other is truly amazing.

Please donate and help Joan jump-start her life again. Every donation, no matter how big or small truly helps.