Support Elena Perez - Funeral Costs
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Dear Friends and Family:
Thank you to all who encouraged me to start this GoFundMe page for my mom Elena Perez and our support network. The outpouring of love is appreciated more than you know. It is hard to capture all that has happened since her 60th birthday on May 7th.
My mom, aunt and uncle went down to UCLA on May 9th for a couple appointments and before we knew it, she was in ICU. This woman with her huge, loving heart is now on a life support device called ECMO and needs a heart transplant. The cause is a rare disease called Amyloidosis which also caused the cancer, Multiple Myeloma, that she was being treated for since April 4th.
(Me, my mom, and my aunt Monica)
There is no way to know how soon the heart transplant could happen. And, when it does, it is such major surgery with a long recovery time, she will need her support team near her. We are currently looking for housing, and I am working on family leave to be with her. We don't really know what lies ahead.
How Will the Funds Be Used?
The funds raised through this campaign will directly support Elena’s medical bills and her support network as we relocate to LA to be by her side. It is also a requirement post-transplant that my mom stays nearby UCLA with her caregivers (my aunt and I) for at least three months.
Updates
I will be posting updates as the journey continues. We hope she will be able to share her sparkle and smile with all who know her as soon as possible.
Thank You
We are immensely grateful for any support you can provide. Your generosity and kindness mean the world to our family as we journey through this period of worry and uncertainty.
Elena Medical Updates:
11/21/2023 - Diagnosed with Amyloidosis (on her daughter’s birthday), a rare disease that will need to be managed for life
01/15/2024 - Diagnosed with cancer, Multiple Myeloma
04/04/2024 - First chemo treatment
05/09/2024 - Began hospitalization at UCLA in ER for volume overload (30+ extra pounds of water weight retention, they didn’t know how she managed to walk in)
05/13/2024 - Moved to Cardiac Care Unit for cardiac Amyloidosis, decompensated heart failure and began heart transplant evaluation
05/26/2024 - ECMO life support procedure after failed balloon pump procedure. Put on ventilator
05/29/2024 - Survived an emergency surgery to stop rapid bleeding (was unknown from where at the time) in liver, losing 10+ liters of blood (entire body’s worth)
05/30/2024 - Removed ventilator! As she would say, “whoop, whoop!”
06/03/2024 - My mom walked for the first time since 05/25 and even did some dancing around the ICU block to her favorite tunes!
06/04/2024 - Mom has not stopped bleeding since her big bleed on 05/29. They thought it was residual from her big bleed but that’s not it. The big bleed created a blockage around her liver and so she has jaundice right now. She had a procedure today and they found blood clots and removed them. They had “the best guy” working on her. One day at a time!
06/08/2024 - There’s still bleeding happening and it’s in her GI tract but a CT hasn’t shown where. Her liver numbers aren’t showing improvement. We were given information about the current and future treatment plans to try to get her body ready to be considered for a transplant but that may not be the route her body allows the doctors to choose.
06/10/2024 - They patched up an area near what they patched up that big bleedy night with an IR angiogram procedure! My brave girl didn’t even need anesthesia. They said nothing else looks suspicious for bleeding but they can't know for sure if this will do the trick to get her to stop bleeding. Her liver doesn't look amazing but doesn't look serious. We hope this will get her feeling better so she can feel even better.
06/14/2024 - Mom is still bleeding somewhere in her GI tract that they can’t find but her bilirubin has gone down 3 days in a row and she had her biggest meal in the ICU— 785 calories! There is still hope for my mom to get better and go home.
06/17/2024 - I’m sorry to write sad news. Mom has developed an infection and is on several blood pressure medications. She’s still bleeding from somewhere and also has wounds all over her body from various things. Her bilirubin shot up and her kidney is giving out. Her heart doesn’t function without the ECMO. Today, my heart is shattered. They told me there’s no way to get her through this. I must choose how best to make her comfortable to pass on. I can’t give a specific date but I know it is soon so she doesn’t suffer. I’m so sorry, friends.
06/18/2024 - Today, my mom is no longer in pain and is resting in peace. She went without pain, surrounded by immediate family. My mom fought this so strongly. I know that her loving and bright spirit will never be forgotten by all that loved her. Thank you to all that loved and supported her through her life and especially through these medical issues. I can tell you without a doubt that if she knew you, she wholeheartedly loved you. I love you too.
(Photo taken: 05/21/2024)
Upon better health, Elena looks forward to spending time with her friends and family at home (where her succulents are) and on outdoor adventures. She can’t wait to dance, play pickleball, and eat regular portions of her favorite foods like Wool Growers. She really wants to live to retirement and have grandchildren.
Don’t Know Elena?
My mom is the sweetest lady with the hugest heart and personality. She’s always willing to give a hand and devotes her time assisting her friends and community. This lady shines and isn’t afraid to dance alone in a room! She was a coleader for Girl Scouts for 12 years and continues to volunteer with organizations like the Guild House, Assistance League of Bakersfield, and Mill Creek Church. She has worked for Kern County Superintendent of Schools for over 27 years.
Thank you for caring for my precious mom!
Organizer
Natalia Perez
Organizer
Bakersfield, CA