Good evening. My name is Yessie Rodriguez. This is my father Francisco. Two weeks ago, our lives changed dramatically in the blink of an eye. My father was hospitalized about 2 weeks ago. What we thought was a gallbladder issue turned out to be stage 4 pancreatic cancer. The oncologist told us that this type of cancer is very hard to detect and usually when the symptoms appear, it is too late. During his stay in the hospital, we were told his left kidney wasn’t working and he would need to have a procedure done. He was then given a nephrostomy bag to allow the kidney to drain and release the pressure from his bladder. During this procedure, they found that the cancer had spread to his abdomen area and his left side, which affected his kidney.
On Monday, May 19, 2025, was the worst day. This is the day our whole lives changed and things would never be the same. The doctor came in with the social worker and several other doctors. In the room were my dad, mom, his sister, me, and my brother. When she looked at us and shook her head, she began by saying, “I am so sorry, the cancer has spread to his liver and there isn’t anything we can do. The chemo would poison him. I’m so sorry, he has less than 6 months to live.” At that moment, I saw a man who has been so strong, so loving, so caring—the best dad ever, the best husband, the best TATA to all his grandchildren and 8 great-grandbabies, the best friend to all who know him—turn into a broken man, scared to leave his family behind! I saw my dad cry and it broke me to pieces, and there is nothing we can do to save him!
We pray and ask our community, friends, and family to please pray for my dad. Unfortunately, this is something that we were just not expecting! We feel as if we were sidelined and our world has changed. Like my mother says, “You prepare for everything in this life but never prepare to die.”
It is with great pain and sadness that we ask for help to give my dad the proper funeral when his time comes. At this moment, if you are able to help or give what you can, any amount would be greatly appreciated. If you can’t give, that’s okay, please continue to have our family in your prayers. We greatly appreciate every one of you. May God bless you all. Thank you.