Local Waukegan Woman Fights for her Life
I hope you will take the moment to read this story. There is a family who lives locally and calls Waukegan their home. They are a very special family, fighting for one of their lives.
Miguel Delgado and my husband met over 10 years ago, while serving our country in Iraq. My husband, Roger, who was a corpsman at the time, worked along the marines providing medical assistance and training. Miguel, a marine, and Roger formed a unique brotherhood after meeting in the sandy gym in their small camp while deployed. One day while on patrol, Miguel's vehicle hit an IED in the middle of the road and they were quickly under fire. Not knowing who was hurt at the moment, my husband rushed to his side, quickly realizing it was Miguel who was severely injured by the shrapnel that came loose in the explosion. Miguel fought for his life in those moments, while Roger did all he could to reduce the loss of blood and close up wounds, all while being fired upon by enemy insurgents. Long story short, Miguel almost died that day. His recovery was much worse, with months in the hospital and numerous surgeries to overcome his wounds. The entire time he fought for his life and recovery, months at a time, his wife Cristhian was by his side. Only married a couple years at the time, she was a devoted military wife, ready to sacrifice any part of her life to travel miles from home to be by Miguel's side in the hospital. She lived in that hospital for several months just to be close to Miguel. Her strength and love for her husband played a large part in his recovery.
Miguel and Cris were unsure if they would be able to have children due to Miguel's extension injuries, but god willingly a short time later they were blessed with their first child, and then their second, and finally their third. All the while, Cris was fighting a battle of her own. She became diagnosed with an uncommon form of cancer, Retroperioneal Liposarcoma, which manifests in the fatty tissues and organs in the body. Her diagnoses was found after she found a lump in her stomach, and did not rest until her doctors did every test possible to find the cause. After a lengthy and painful surgery removing the mass and part of her kidney and small intestine, she was cancer free. The same strength she showed along her husband's side during his recovery, she showed in herself to overcome her cancer. After 5 years of being cancer free, she was once again diagnosed with the same cancer. This time, chemo was her only option. After a very rigorous and grueling treatment plan, she was once again cancer free. The chemo, however, took a large toll on her body and her family. Her 3 young children witnessed their mother in painful sickness while she for the second showed strength and courage to overcome cancer again.
Unfortunately, not even a year after beating cancer for the second time, Cris has recently been diagnosed again with the same cancer, for the THIRD time. This time, she does not have the option for surgery as the cancer has spread to her only remaining kidney. Due to her cancer, she is not eligible for a kidney transplant as it is far too dangerous. Her only option, which is not an option, is chemo for the chance of survival. At only 31 years old, this young mother of 3, has fought for her life the majority of her adult life.
Cancer affects us all. Most of us in our lifetime will be affected with cancer ourselves, or love someone who is. The Delgado family has overcome more in their young adult lives than most people occur in a lifetime. As a young mother and wife, Cris has never taken her struggles and misfortune as a reason to be angry. Every day of her fight she has shown optimism and courage to continue to fight. Her husband fights by her side, as she did for him years ago. Her courage to never give up or be depressed by circumstances is an example for us all. And now, Cris is left with very few options, and the financial burden of medical expenses and caring for her family while she takes the time to care for herself. I cannot think of anyone more humble that I have met in my lifetime, that deserves all the help and support she can get to fight her fight. Her children, most of all, need their mother to fight. I hope you can share the link below, and encourage others to read her story and support her journey. To fight for your life for the third time, and then have the burden of finances on your mind, wondering how you will pay to save your own life, should not be something that anyone has to worry about. To read Cris's own personal story, you can click on the Go Fund Me link below.
https://www.gofundme.com/g487v0