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

The Gift Everybody Needs..

If you have a few minutes to spare please take the time to read this. The message is wonderful, amazing and there is so much truth behind it!

http://http://www.joelosteen.com/HopeForToday/ThoughtsOn/Relationships/TheGiftEverybodyNeeds/Pages/TheGiftEverybodyNeeds.aspx

Frustrating times lately!

The first portion of this is taken from various text and emails the girls have sent me (Tammy) since the last update. I have come to a few conclusions and one of them is that, YES there definitely needs to be changes made in the way insurance is approved or denied and in a more timely manner.

The girls said as of today that: my dad remains at the stroke unit because insurance still hasn't approved his return to rehab!! After they messed up by taking my dad out due to not reading the MRI correctly, they won't even attempt to help us!! We have been given a horrible treatment by the stroke unit! We have been treated with no dignity or respect fyi this is the medical center of the rehab place.. So my dad now is risking getting an infection because he's on a floor full of sick people.. I hate that hospital!!

It has been a complete nightmare to say the least! A more detailed story from the beginning of their dad going the hospital until now will come in time, which began September 4th. Imagine dealing with this for that long! As you read above there was a setback so the girls went through the emotions they felt as though the nightmare was beginning all over again. I feel sympathy and want to help take away their sadness and frustration even just for a minute.. Isn't that what we should all do for one another in times like these? YES, it is!

I give the girls alot of praise for rearranging their ever so busy lives and being with their Dad, day in and day out, in making sure he is properly taken care of, in being his advocate for getting him to the right rehab, etc. He should be very proud that he raised such genuine and caring daughters, and when he can speak I am sure he will express that.. Great job Sara, Maddie, and Norma! I know this has to be very tough on you all but you will all get through this and just be amazed at the amount of strength each of you have. I am completely amazed! I love you guys!

I wanted to add this video that I came across.. You know we all get caught up in chaos of life from time to time. This has surely surely slowed them down for a bit.. But with the help of friends/family and most important the power of prayer and turning over our troubles to GOD, he will help us through those weak times..

If I never knew you..

I came across this song recently and wow! It took on soo many different emotions! For me I thought of alot of important people in my life. To think if I have never met these people where would I be? I felt love all around for everyone that is important to me. LOVE to me is one of the foundations for life! Thought I would share this song here because I am forever grateful to Norma's dad for sending her to Virginia to live. She only lasted in the "suburbs" s very short time, but we developed a long lasting friendship and I have really treasured being around her and her sisters through all these years. This has been a very trying time for this family. I just love them all and hope the best for their DAD! XOXOXO

Update

Sara.. Friday October 9th
I took the entire week off from work to stay with my dad at the rehab center. He is making progress little by little, they downsize his trachea, and as of today he is no longer on oxygen, YEAH!!! Physical therapy is going well I believe by next week we shall see substantial improvement

Maddie...Saturday October 19th
I am getting ready to go see my dad and do some therapy with him. Yesterday, Efrain was able to order via internet the ECUADOR vs URUGUAY soccer game. This game has long been awaited. My dad lives for soccer. I remember on Sept 4th, hours before his stroke he said how excited he was to be leaving the hospital so he can watch the soccer matches to qualify for the 2010 world cup. Unfortunately, that night he never made it out of the hospital. So it was very rewarding for me to see that he was able to enjoy the match yesterday to a certain extent...

We can move mountains..

Read this great article in the newspaper Parade section today. It's titled We Can Move Mountains by Matt Damon. The message comes at a great time! Here is a piece of the article.. "I can't think of any more important value to instill in our children than the desire to help others. I feel strongly about setting an example for them. Real problems can be solved by the next generation if we instill in them the right values. I'm not a politician, and I don't want to tell anybody how to live, but I must say, all these years later, I still think Gandhi had the right idea: No matter how small the contribution we make may seem, it's crucial that we all do our part. Please find out what you can do to make a difference. Take five minutes to educate yourself on an issue you didn't know about before. Then tell somebody else. Or make a small donation, if you can. Every dollar counts. Charitable foundations would rather have a million people donate $1 each than have a handful of people write big checks, because that means millions of us are getting involved. If you give $5 and talk to your neighbor about giving $5, that's a big deal. If that conversation goes on across the country, we'll really start moving some mountains. We're here for such a short time. When your great-great-grandkids study history, don't you want them to be proud that you were part of the solution?"

FAMILY and FAITH can help you get through the tough times!

I wanted to share an inspiring blog that I have been following. Stephanie Nielson and her husband were in a very serious plane crash August 8, 2008. Her husband was burned over 30percent of his body, Stephanie was burned over 80 percent. She was in a coma for three months.. During this time her family took turns being at her bedside and eventually she came home, to a new home that is, near her family in Utah. Her story made national news... I wanted to share this message today because the Nielson's were on Oprah today. Oh my goodness, the two of them, especially Stephanie have come soo far since the crash. Yes, they say times were very tough accepting the fact that this is their new life. A viewer who had written to Oprah, went inside the Nielson's home to see what life was like. Emotional to watch to say the least, you know the little things we take for granted. There is a family photo taken before the crash, all of them with such a natural beauty. The viewer had a tough time looking at the before picture. Stephanie pointed out that, yes physically she looks different from the before photo but pointed out that she still has everyone with her- their love and support.. I took away from the show and everytime I read the blog that with FAITH and FAMILY anything is possible!

I have included her blog link if you want to go back and read from the beginning. Be sure to have some tissues handy!! I encourage you to read it when you have time because it is very awe inspiring, how life can change so quickly, but with faith and family you will get through those tough times..

God is answering prayers!

God is answering prayers!
(From Sara Friday October 2, 2009)
Well I have good news. He has been medically cleared and my dad is going to rehab either today or Monday.
We are now just waiting on insurance to approve a possible facility today, but they are giving us such a hard time if they do not approve our first choice then he will have to go to our second choice but then that will take place on Monday......


That being said we need to get moving in helping to raise funds to get Dad the best possible rehab and any future assistance he might need. I have faith that family and friends will come together in this time of need. Stay strong!

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

Go The Distance

Michael Bolton.. Go the Distance.. this has such a wonderful message for the whole family.

With all the love and suppport that Norma, Sara, Maddie and family have, they will see their father overcome what has happened to him.

I have often dreamed, of a far off place
Where a hero�s welcome, would be waiting for me
Where the crowds will cheer, when they see my face
And a voice keeps saying, this is where I�m meant to be
I�ll be there someday, I can go the distance
I will find my way, if I can be strong
I know ev�ry mile, will be worth my while
When I go the distance, I�ll be right where I belong
Down an unknown road, to embrace my fate
Though that road may wander, it will lead me to you
And a thousand years, would be worth the wait
It might take a lifetime, but somehow I�ll see it through
And I won�t look back, I can go the distance
And I�ll stay on track, no, I won�t accept defeat
It�s an uphill slope, but I won�t lose hope
Till I go the distance, and my journey is complete
But to look beyond the glory is the hardest part
For a hero�s strength is measured by his heart
Like a shooting star, I will go the distance
I will search the world, I will face its� harms
I don�t care how far, I can go the distance
Till I find my hero�s welcome, waiting in your arms
I will search the world, I will face it�s harms
Till I find my hero�s welcome, waiting in your arms

..Dance with my father again...

This is for Sara.. One day you will be able to..

Life can change in an instant!

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