An update on the benefit we are hosting on December 15. We have been fortunate enough to have the event at Dee’s Restaurant from 6 until 8:30. Silent Auction viewing starts at 6 and dinner to follow at 6:30. If anyone would like to donate, we will be collecting different items and gift certificates. We are also making gift baskets including: automotive, nature/hunting/fishing, bath n body, food, fun in the sun, tech, and possibly health & beauty. The tickets will be $15 per person. 100% of the donations/ticket sales/silent auction goes to the construction of the bathroom/closet for Rudy. The following is this amazing family’s testimony of faith in such a time of trial.
The Lopez family is a family of six that has endured more than many of us can image. Yet through all of their tribulations, their faith in God has become stronger and their love for each other is infallible. It started 14 years ago with Rudy’s youngest sister. At the age of 13, she became ill. Doctors found cirrhosis of the liver and she underwent a liver transplant. Two years later, life for them drastically changed. The eldest son, Rudy Lopez, began to sleep a lot and would get fevers often. School first noticed the problem and sent him to see a doctor. His blood oxygen levels were low and he had an enlarged spleen. They took it out hoping he would recover. He did not. Then they found gallstones in his bladder which is rare in a child of 12. They removed his gall bladder. For the next four years, Rudy was in and out of hospitals, more often in than out. The doctors were not looking for solutions at this time; they were just trying to keep him alive. They wrongly diagnosed him with disorders of respiratory system, chronic liver disease, avm and others illnesses. Four years ago, they found Arteriovenous malformations or AVMs in his joints including his knees. This causes the arteries and veins to be tangled and blood to flow fast and under pressure. Also he does not get the nutrients and oxygen his body needs. Finally they found out he had HTT which stands for Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiesctasia. This is a lifelong disease and there is no cure-it is terminal. Last year Rudy had an AVM burst in his stomach causing him to bleed out into his system. HE was rushed to the hospital and underwent surgery for the AVMS in his lungs, abdomen and knees. His oxygen was in the 40-50’s and he was confined to a wheelchair. HE spent two months recovering in the hospital.
The surgeries for HTT correct the avm’s for a short time but patching them makes new ones grow. It is like fixing a leaking worn pipe, eventually the pipe will burst in a new spot after it is plugged because of the pressure. The surgery plug up the veins that are not supposed to be connected to the artery. At any time, he could bleed out, meaning if one of the veins pop in his knee or anywhere else, he can bleed to death in seconds. In order to live, he will require these surgeries when the avms form. He lives with the thought that he could die at any moment from one bursting. He is scheduled for another avm surgery at the end of December. His last surgery caused him to stay in the hospital for two months. Since the beginning, the family all travels for support camping out in the car or in the lobby for days or weeks at a time. Rudy’s and the fmaily’s spirit is impressive. Rudy views this as a win win situation. If he lives, he lives for his Lord and Savior as a testimony of faith. He states “if I die, I still win because I get to go home to my Father”.
The story does not end there: Around the time of Rudy’s first difficulties, the Lopez’s oldest daughter had a stroke at the age of 23. The doctors found that an avm in her brain, a hole in her heart and a tumor in her head. They performed brain surgery to embolize the avms. THey could not remove the tumor since it was deep in her brain and will cause blindness when removed. The tumor is fatal and will eventually kill her so she will have to choose between death or blindness for the tumor. In May of this year, the she was pregnant and expected to deliver at full term. Ten days before her due date, she noticed something was not right. Doctors dismissed her and the next day her baby boy was born still born.
Just this year, the youngest son who is 16 was diagnosed with an avm in his nose. Doctors are monitoring it and he remains very active and health. This family has had their share of grief and tribulations and yet they are still faithful and dedicated to their Savior. Their attitudes are positive and determined. They are a family that supports each other, leaning on each other throughout the good and the bad.
Now why are we involved …well a few years ago, they hired a contractor that made an addition to the house. He left in the middle of it and it sits incomplete with electrical wires, pluming, a roof, and a concrete floor. If this room can be finished, Rudy will have a handicap accessible bathroom to increase his independence and give him a place he can maneuver in and out of on his own. Please help us finish this room for Rudy. All of the donations go directly to him-100% to the renovation project. Whatever funds are left over goes to him for expenses that the family incur when traveling to Miami Hospital. When donating, please put his name on the check to ensure it goes directly to him. Thank you so much for helping us help him. Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to provide such a testimony for our Lord. IT is for Him that we are here and for Him that we do what we do. All the glory is His and we praise Him for the opportunity to serve.
His faithful servant
Kimberly Smith
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