Superman!

Wow Its been a long ride since the last update. We haent gotten anywhere since this ordeal began as a matter of fact we decided to stay and and tale a seat!

My visit..

I finally had the opportunity to go visit the Lazo Sisters/Chobie's Angels.. It was a trip filled with so many emotions. I do not think I was fully prepared for their father's condition. I do have a family member that has had a stroke so I envisioned their father would have a little mobility given this has been going on since September 4th. I got there as he was starting to get sick again. It seems their Dad has a few weeks of getting well then has a setback. Seeing him in that condition was a little overwhelming and truamatizing I must say. I did provide a few laughs for the sisters. Let's just say that I will be of much better assistance when their father does not have the issues with his aspirating. I felt more at peace the day I left. Their Dad had a good day in my eyes. He looked good. What was just amazing was the care that Sara, Maddie, and Norma gave around the clock, not wanting to leave his side. They were thrown into this unfortunate role and have done an amazing job to say the least! I love and and miss them alot and look forward to the next time I get to see them. I know on my next visit I will see their father/Chobie and see his remarkable improvements. He has the will to get better and GOD is on his side! May your lives be blessed with peace, love and good health this holiday season. :) Tammy

Devoted Daughters

Sara-Sincere, Amazing, Radiant, Affectionate!
Maddie-Magnificent, Appreciative, Devoted, Determined, Inspired, Extraordinary!
Norma- Nurturing, Optimistic, Remarkable, Motivated, Awesome!

Update on Chobie/Kiko/Loving Father.. Please pray for his health to be restored!

(I wanted to post this email update I received from Maddie. Coming from one of his daughters the message has a much more profound meaning. I remain so inspired by the girls 24/7 support for their father. This is one of the reasons why I have stayed friends with them for many years. They are very caring, loving, and devoted people!)


Hi Tammy- first and foremost i want to thank you for all your hard effort with creating the blog that was really touching and extremely emotional to the lazo's sister. For always being there with us spiritually every single day although you are miles away!! it's AMAZING..I appreciate and love you dearly.

Since Sara's last update to you , many things have changed. My father was not discharged as we had hoped. Instead he went on to a different floor for more intense monitoring. His condition has not improved.The pneumonia and the atelectasis(partial lung collapse) has complicated the situation. Dr's are saying he will eventually tire out from breathing. He is breathing 3x more than a normal person and the breathing muscles he is using are from the stomach.My dad is a fighter because he has been breathing like this for 7 days now! We find ourselves with one option in order to prevent lungs giving up , which is to trach him AGAIN.(he had just been capped completely for good last week) which was a huge accomplishment. The surgery is complicated he will have to through intubation first and then be trached. There are many risks which i don't want to go into details because i will collapse prior to finishing this email. The trach has been sheduled for Monday.i know he will make it through monday.... I just came back from the hospital.. China is sleeping there tonight saturday. I will be sleeping with him on Sunday night and ready for awaits us on Monday. I please ask for everyone to take 1 minute from their busy schedule and say a quick prayer for Juan Lazo. Dealing with this hospital hasn't been easy, unfortunately, we were not able to transfer him to Columbia due to DRs not medically clearing him safely for such a transport.
Anyway, that is another chapter.
My dad means the world to me and my sisters! MAny people may not understand the bond we have with our Dad..only the ones that have been childhood friends. If you knew who and how"chobie" was/is with his daughters then you can understand the undivided attention and devotion that we are giving my dad. My dad has been dealing with tragedies since sept 4th and we haven't left his side. He has 24hr coverage. Like sara said we are known in that hospital..We are used as examples with Medical students/ social worker interns of what "family devotion is...They actually come into his room just to point us out and explain the category we fall in and they go into details. When they walk away, it brakes my heart to see so many patients that barely get a visitor. what has happened to humanity?? i would think every family should be devoted to a loved one. I will give me if it took to get my dad back!! He is my Hero..........and he will overcome all the obstacles. Thanks tammy i love you!!!

Message from Sara/update on Kiko included in her message

(I received an email from Sara today. It was very touching to read this heartfelt message! Most of all I am very glad to hear that she is getting closer to reaching the stage of accepting what has happened to their father. That has to be one of the hardest things. As you read the message you will see why I felt so compelled to help them in any way possible. I truly love their family! Keep all of your prayers coming and thank you again on behalf of the family for your donations. Love, Tammy)


So sorry I am now reading my messages and texts I got to read them late last night, I had been in the hospital since Monday with a dead phone!

I was literally there around the clock making sure nothing goes wrong and being on top of doctors, nurses etc! It’s a big deal when they see the family is very involved. It keeps them all on their P’s and Q’s! We are known throughout the hospital as the “most loving, devoted, dedicated family” in fact I was told by the nurse last night that he had never seeing such a devoted and caring family in his 15years of nursing and he was so impressed. EVERYBODY knows us lol

I am now at an 80% “accepting” stage, at times I’m anxious, angry, frustrated, depressed, sad because I want to see my dad recover quickly and to know that we have a loooong journey ahead of us makes it a mental battle for me, not to mention all the setbacks he’s had with the latest one pneumonia! We got some lab work back yesterday which showed the bug is sensitive to antibiotics so that was good news! He is doing well and god willing he will most likely be discharged tomorrow back to rehab. (sigh) we have day-to-day challenges, frustrations and accomplishments, our goal is to help him regain independence, relearn basic skills and give him the best quality care. I can’t wait to see him partially there already and I pray every day he does not have any have anymore setbacks!!

My dad is very special to me, he is a terrific father always gave us the best possible care.

Before his stroke we spoke everyday on the phone and if a day went by without talking to him my day felt weird. Our communication now involves body language, a writing pad and a lot of trying to decipher what he is trying to say, some words are very clear but for the most part his speech has been affected but that will improve with a lot of speech therapy.

I miss my old dad incredibly, not one day goes by without me thinking and envisioning of how independent he was and all the great laughs and fun we had! Well now I look forward to his recovery and readjusting to his new self. I love my dad dearly if there was any part I me I can give for his recovery I will give it in a heartbeat unfortunately that is n the case here.

I’m at work now having difficulty concentrating- Sara

LIFE CAN CHANGE IN AN INSTANT!!!

Life can change in an instant!
I am reposting the original post as requested, which was created on September 29th. Various entries have been made on this blog since that time, outlining the frustrations, the progress and more. This has been created for you all, family, friends, and coworkers, to help follow the road to recovery. We hope if you are able to donate Kiko's Road to Recovery, you will do so. The donation link is provided for you on this blog. It is very easy and safe, and of course is extremely appreciated!

Friends, all around us are hurting people who need our love and encouragement. Don't miss the miracle of the moment. Don't be too busy, or insensitive to the needs of those around you. Be willing to be inconvenienced. Be sensitive and pay attention to those around you, your friends, your coworkers and your relatives. Listen to what they're saying. We shouldn't miss opportunities to do good whenever situations come across our paths to bless people.

Entry from September 29th

I am a long time friend of Norma and her sisters. I was informed recently that their family had suffered some devastating news. Their father suffered a stroke that has currently left him paralyzed on his left side. When I read this news I felt great sadness for them. They had expressed how these recent weeks have been a nightmare, how devastated they were, and to please continue to pray for their family. They have been at the hospital around the clock by their father's side as they hope and pray for recovery. These weeks have been some trying times for the family to say the least and no doubt this will be a long journey. As you see, life can change for you in an instant! I want to help them in whatever way I can to make the road ahead a little more smooth. Now I have seen in my family, Ricardo's family, and in my community, that when times get tough people step up and help out without thinking twice. This family I am sure is no different. With the help of their family, friends, and co-workers the burden will be lifted on this precious family. That is my hope. I also hope every so often one of the sister's will be able to share with us their father's progress. We are all pulling for his recovery! We are here for you through thick and thin! XOXOXOXO Tammy

REACHING OUT AND MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Dear Friends, Family and Coworkers,
As many of you know, the Lazo family recently endured a life changing event. Sara, Maddie, and Norma’s father suffered a stroke on September 4th. To say the least, this has been very traumatic and heartbreaking to see their father in this condition. The girls have been at their father’s bedside continuously, while still trying to juggle work and other such daily obligations. As one can assume, the road to rehabilitation for stroke patients is quite long.
On behalf of the Lazo family, I am reaching out to you all and requesting your support at this time. There are numerous ways we can all come together and help alleviate the stress this loving family is going through. The following are suggestions of ways we can show our concern and love for the family: providing a meal, sending flowers, helping with housekeeping duties either personally or sending a service, entertaining the kids, running errands, and more.
If you can give in any of these ways please get in touch with me as soon as possible. I am compiling a list, which I will take and spread out your generosities over the course of the next few months. My email address is attached. Your contribution no matter how big or small is deeply appreciated!
As always you can send cards with your prayers and well wishes to:
The Lazo Family
c/o Sara Lazo
1442 Hollywood Ave
Bronx, NY 10461

In addition I have set up a blog for the Lazo Family. You will be able to follow their dad’s progress as well as frustrations Sara, Maddie, and Norma have experienced throughout this entire ordeal. Given the many frustrations that have been relayed to me regarding medical insurance, and what they do not cover it was imperative that we set up a bank account for their father. It will help provide for any uninsured medical care and treatments he WILL need in the future. With your generous donations their father will be able to receive extra rehabilitation that will help him have a better chance for recovery. The donation link is provided for you on the blog. Your help is MOST appreciated and will no doubt give their father the best quality of life. May God Bless You All!


Sincerely,
Tammy Garcia (friend of the family)
txtam101@yahoo.com