Support for Eddie Chavez and Family

It is with a ray of hope but very heavy hearts that we share this news with our family, friends and the world today.

After a general checkup with his PCP in August, it was determined that my father-in-law, Eduardo ‘Eddie’ Chavez, would benefit from an MRI of his head as he was having some trouble with his memory and reading/writing. We didn’t think much of it, assuming that the results would be normal, and we could continue to live life as usual. However, that was not the case. All our lives would change forever.

On the dark day of August 23rd, we received the terrifying and life changing news that no one wants to hear; my father-in-law has a massive tumor at the right side of his brain with extensive infiltration of canals and areas acting like roots of a tree. This news turned all our lives upside down and we have yet to recover.

We knew that this would be a long and hard road and that we all needed to stay positive and maintain our faith in God, not only for my father-in-law (which I will transition to calling him Dad because that is exactly what he is to me) but for each other as well. With the help of family members and a great team of doctors, it was determined that the removal of as much of the tumor as possible would provide dad with the best prognosis and outcome. Dad overall was not in the best health and had countless appointments with his PCP, cardiologist, nephrologist, neurosurgeon, and oncologist in order to get clearance to undergo the very serious and scary undertaking of brain surgery. At times, things seemed bleak but Dad’s strength and faith in God during this time never wavered. His strength was fortified with the love and support of his family. His wife(mom), Maria Elena, never left his side and continued to be the driving force and motivation for him to keep pushing forward and get better. Her sister, Sara Olsen, never left mom’s side. She basically moved in to be provide aid and assistance not only for dad but for mom as well. She is a true protector and angel. My wife Sara, dad’s beloved daughter, was able to provide support by lending her knowledge and background in the medical field to clarify language by the doctors and ask meaningful questions to ensure that dad was in the best hands and the decisions being made were the right ones. My brother Eddie, proved to be the backbone of the family and the man that everyone could turn to for strength. The man, that every father would be proud to call son. It is during the darkest times in our lives that we feel most alone but with the love and support of family and the strength from God, we can emerge from the darkness and bask in the light.

After finally getting full clearance from the doctors, dad was scheduled to have a pre-operative appointment with his neurosurgeon on Friday September 16. Dad’s birthday was on Tuesday September 13, and with everything going on we wanted to make sure that it was a memorable one shared together as a family. However, that was not exactly how it was meant to be. That same day, through a family chat in which my wife shared how dad appeared to be declining in function, my brother, a hospitalist, knew that it was important for dad to be admitted immediately. My brother spoke with dad’s neurosurgeon, and it was decided that his surgery could not wait any longer and they scheduled his brain surgery for Thursday September 15. It all happened so fast, and we were all understandably nervous about the situation although we knew that this was precisely what dad needed and that God would be with him throughout.

Dad underwent brain surgery early Thursday morning. The surgery lasted nearly seven hours but thankfully with the Grace of God, the surgery proved to be mostly a success. The NEURO ICU nurse reported that dad did well throughout the surgery and the neurosurgeon stated that he was able to remove nearly 80% of the tumor. After the surgery, dad proved just how strong and amazing he is. Just hours after undergoing serious brain surgery, dad was able to follow commands (squeezing your hand, pouting his lips, smiling, opening and closing his eyes, moving his feet and legs) as well as talk. His faculties were about him and dad’s fun-loving personality wasn’t dampened by the moment but shone through with the power of a thousand stars. Over the next couple of days, dad was making jokes, singing his favorite oldies songs and asking for his favorite-pancakes and “coffee for the poor”, which was when he would come to our house for coffee on Saturday mornings after dropping off mom at Tia’s house. We were all in awe at how amazing dad was doing, it was something truly special to witness. Our sprits remained high, and we were enthusiastic that dad’s positive trajectory was only going to continue. Unfortunately, those good feelings completely changed on Saturday morning.

The morning appeared to be no different than the previous day. Sara, Eddie, mom, and Tia were doing exercises with dad and although he was participating, he did appear more tired and lethargic. It was during that time, that we found out from the neurosurgeon that the swelling in dad’s brain had not gone down and he needed to be put on a ventilator to assist him in breathing while a plan was formulated. The remaining tumor in his brain was very aggressive and did not allow for the swelling and inflammation to subside. The medical team was avoiding giving dad a specific medication to aid in inflammation reduction secondary to dad’s poor overall kidney function. Dad needed to reduce the inflammation in his brain but it would be at the cost of his kidneys. Surgery remained a low option as the trauma that it would cause, just days apart, would be too much for his body to handle. We were told to consider the quality of dad’s life with the options given and it left us all heart-broken and crushed.

After many tears were shed and the haunting realization that this might be the end, we received a glimmer of hope. Dad’s nephrologist, spoke to us and stated that he conversed with the neurosurgeon and that providing dad with the medication to reduce swelling was paramount in saving his brain and that his kidney function could be addressed with temporary dialysis if needed. As long as the inflammation and swelling can be reduced, he has a chance. Over the next few hours, dad again showed what a superhero he truly is. While under mild sedation, dad began moving his head followed by moving his right hand. With verbal cueing, dad was able to squeeze our hand in his, with great force I might add. I asked dad, a Cowboys fan, if we were going to win tomorrow and he quickly and adamantly shook his head (eyes remained closed) and right hand “NO”. A true realist lol.

My dad is one of the strongest men I know. He is the kindest and most helpful person you will ever meet. He will never ask anyone to do anything for him but he will be quick to drop everything to do something for you. We all have so much to learn from my dad. My dad is the true definition of a fighter and we know that he is not done yet. My wife and brother-in-law always say that my daughter Lily is the thing that brings the most happiness to my dad and I know that one thing that dad would love to do is give Lily a big hug and a kiss, tell her how beautiful she is, and how much she is a little angel. And with the Grace of God my dad will get that opportunity.

My dad said that he saw a gray bird in his room in the hospital. His mother who had passed in 2019 loved birds and we all know that that gray bird is his mother watching over him. Giving him the strength that he needs to pull through. Telling him that it is not your time yet. I know dad would never ask for himself, but it is during this difficult time that we ask for your positive energy, prayers, goodwill, and support. We know that there is still a long road ahead but with the love, strength and support of friends and family, dad will prevail. Dad will show through himself the Strength of Love. The Strength of Family. And the Strength of God. And he will give his only granddaughter, Lily, a big hug and a kiss from Abuelito.

We love you Dad, stay strong and know that we are all here for you!