Pictures from Virginia's funeral

Carlos and his family: Gaby his sister (hearing), Javier his brother behind her (deaf) their mother (hearing) and Carlos is holding his son 3 year old Jerimias and in front is his daugher, 6 year old Leilani with her friend, my daughter.

It was an amazing turn out of mostly deaf people . . . My uncle Marcos (missionary pastor) spoke at the gravesite and you can just see the interpreter to the far right.


At the memorial service Luke Everett signed in ASL while speaking in Spanish, my uncle interpreted to English while I interpreted to Mexican Sign Language. You can Just see me on the far left side here signing a song that was Virginia's favorit with all the former Rancho Sordo Mudo students that attended that day.

Virginia's favorit song was "Quiero Cantar": let me translate it for you

I want to sing a pretty song

of Him who changed my life,

I want to sing a lovely song

of Him who transformed me

it is my friend Jesus

he is my most faithful friend

He is God

He is King

He is Love

and the Truth

only in Him have I found

that peace that I was looking for

only in Him have I found

happyness

Virginia passed away.

I was preparing dinner for my family, a guest and the two children of Carlos and Virgina who were all over at the time when I got the call from Virginia's mother.

Get Carlos and come to the hospital now, the situation is serious!

I had visited just the previous day and where she had regressed, and was unable to sign to me or keep her eyes focused on me for very long, she did respond to my visit.

Now I find her struggling for breath, completely unresponsive but to pain. Her mothers eyes are red and tear streaked and she tells me that the doctor has told her there is no hope.

I sign the information to Carlos . . . it takes a bit to sink in, then he excuses himself from the room and shuts himself in the bathroom.

"How long?" I ask, "What happened?"

She doesn't know, the doctor is not there and only said that Virginia was dieing and there was no hope.

are we talking days? Weeks? Hours?

She doesn't know and the doctor is in surgery but said once he comes out he will come over and talk to us . . .

So by the request of Carlos and Virginia's mom we start calling people . . . family and pastors first.

Carlos specifically asks me to call my uncle Marcos , a missionary pastor, to come . . . and I can barely get the request out . . .

Can you come right now, the doctor is not giving Virginia much hope, Carlos asked for you . . .

He comes, and the wife of the pastor of the hearing church that the deaf congregation belongs to comes, that small room is crowded with people who love Virginia, and crowded with questions. . .
what happened? we don't know
how long? we don't know

we're all praying for Virginia

Then the doctor calls - the nurse informs us, and I take the call so that I can then interpret to Carlos what is going on.

The doctor tells me it is multiple organ failure, she had a third stroke and the brain damage is severe, they've done all they could . . . but she's not going to recover.

HOW LONG?

He can't say for sure . . .

Are we talking weeks? are we talking days? are we talking hours?

Hours, but he can't say how many . . . maybe tonight, maybe in the morning . . . .

OK, I explained to the people in the waiting room what I was just told and then turn to climb the stairs to Virginia's room to tell Carlos . . .

At the door I see the pastor's wife, she doesn't speak to me but it's clear from her red, tear streaked face . . . Virginia had died!

It just happened! They were praying for her, and she passed away . . .

People were still arriving, Carlos' sister, Luke Everett . . . many deaf and we meet them at the door with the same news . . .

Virginia has passed away . . .

Shock
Tears
Shock
Tears
Questions
Questions
Questions

I remained with Carlos until he left to go home. Remember their children where at our house. Carlos plans to tell them, and then take them home . . . but it's 10:30pm and both kids are fast asleep, so we just help load the sleeping angles into their car and I bid them goodnight . . .

We know Virginia is celebrating with her Savior. She is hearing the voice of the one who created her . . . and Virginia who always loved the worship in sign is now SINGING with the angels!!!

Our tears are not for her.

They for us
for her husband
for her daughter
her son
and family

We needed her, we miss her

I miss her

Virginia Update II

This is a partial e-mail sent by Virginia's sister-in-law, Gaby, who also works at Rancho Sordo Mudo

". . . Doctor Gutierrez, who is in charge of her case tolds us this afternoon that it was not a problem of the kidneys, nor pneumonia like they had told us but that the feeding tube that she had inside her stomache had a leak, a break, that left the food inside her navel cavety and causing causing her pain and later fever and vomiting.

He also said after reading the results and according to the exams that were doing to her, it was not the meningitis that left her like that, that in fact was a sevire stroke that that she had sufered and the problem with the feeding tube had complicated matters and caused her to regress, and cause another stroke. And nothing in her torax. So they will probably open her up tonight to see how everything is. . . . .

FW: Virginia's update 2/8

E-mail from Luke Everett, Director of Rancho Sordo Mudo

Friends,

Last night I found out that Virginia had been sent back to the Gov. Hospital a couple days ago with a high fever and throwing up, and her bed sore was worse. They had not done much at all at the hospital and she was getting worse, so I called a doctor friend and had Virginia transferred to a private hospital this morning.

After many more test this is what he told me; In his opinion and others Virginia never had Meningitis, the test done way back then were never conclusive. From the beginning he thinks it was a stroke and that Virginia just happened to have a fever when she had the stroke. On top of that he thinks she might have had another stroke in these last few days which accounts for her present deteriorating condition. Also the feeding tube into her stomach might have been leaking into her body cavity causing two things to happen, lack of food getting into her system and the infection which caused the high fever.

When I left the hospital they were prepping her for another test to determine if indeed the food tube was leaking and if so she would need surgery to clean her insides up before it went septic and put in a new feeding tube. He is confident they will be able to get her infection, clean her up, start antibiotics, scrub and clean the terrible bed sore, get food into her and get her strong again. He however was not too optimistic about her chances of a full recovery walking and movement wise due to her second stroke. But he also reminded me that he thought the same of Josefina when she had her brain aneurysm and etc, and said, "I know God hears your prayers".

Both Carlos and Virginia's mother (along with the rest of us) immediately felt better having Virginia in a hospital where they are actually doing something instead of guessing and doing nothing. As soon as the ambulance drop Virginia off, the nurses were cleaning her up and prepping her for test and etc. The doctor will call me tonight to give me an update on her condition and if they had to do surgery or not. Please keep praying.

Pray for guidance for the doctors

pray for Virginia's recovery from both the infection and be able to move, walk and etc.( we had to suspend physical therapy till she is strong again)

Pray for Carlos and the children and Virginia's mother.

Pray for funds, a private hospital means private money. The doctor assured me they would charge the minimum and some doctors would take a pay cut, but it still will cost. I am confident God will provide.

Pray for the long road ahead of Carlos and his family.

I went to visit Virginia and talk with Carlos this afternoon, and the doctor used the term "brain embolism" when describing what had happened - I don't know how that differs from a stroke - but I have Carlos and Virginia's kids with me now in my house since we are only blocks away from said hospital.

I agree with Luke - pray, pray, pray!

Update on Virginia

For those of you who are praying:

Virginia is not doing well.

I don't know the details, but when I talked to her husband Carlos early this morning he said that he was off to the hospital since she was being moved. And the situation is "poco grave" - a bit serious.

She was placed in the general hospital a couple of days ago with vomiting and a fever.

As I learn details I will let you know.

Virginia update

An e-mail received from Luke Everett 1/31/08

Dear friends,

Yesterday we took Virginia to a neurologist and had a two brain scans done. He discovered that during Virginia's meningitis episode she had a stroke. Which count for the paralysis of her left side and some of her other symptoms. He was positive that through much therapy she should be
able to recover, but to be patient, it could be a year or so.

At this point she needs to start eating food through her mouth (She still has a feeding tube going into her stomach), he said to get her eating and eating right. He was able to answer any other questions for us, finally he said, "just ask Luke anything, because he went through the same thing with his wife Josefina".

So in a sense it was a good consult, we found out a lot and came away better informed how to help her. He prescribe some pain medicine she can take before they start therapy so it won't hurt so much.

So prayer needs now are:

• Her bed sore will heal. It cause her much pain.
  
• Someone that could come and help them for a while as a home nurse. Three
  of my staff go in once a week on different days to help for a few hours.
  But it would be nice if they had someone full time for any amount of time
  would help.
  
• That the physical therapy will continue to help and not hurt so much.
  I am sure finances are always a need.
  
• Pray for Carlos as he adapts to a whole new way of life for a while, as
  he juggles the children, his preaching duties and his wife.
  

Thank you for your prayers.

Love because of Jesus,
Luke Everett
Director
Rancho Sordo Mudo
http://www.ranchosordomudo.org/

Virginia update 1/19/08

This is an e mail that was sent by Luke Everett Director of Rancho Sordo Mudo (where I worked for 8 years, and met my husband) Oh, and BTW, they have an upcoming documentary coming out about this place.

Dear Friends,

Virginia . . . had to go back to the hospital because of bed sores for
a few days.
We hope the bed sores will get better. Some good buddies were able to
get a real nice hospital bed with a pressure relief mattress, 2 nice wheels
chairs, and other needed items. She is still being fed through a stomach tube.

The biggest concern with her now is her immobility, at this time she
is almost like in a frozen position and can only move one hand, her eyes do
not move much either so you have to stand right in front of her to
sign. She responses with yes and no signs, but communication is very limited.
She needs a lot of physical therapy. She needs someone to come and
help care for her for a month or two. We were blessed that when Josefina got home from her brain surgery 5 years ago that God sent a young lady to help us
for 2 months and she was a big blessing. I am hoping the same will happen
to Virginia. She needs constant care and someone to help get her
moving. Carlos is doing his best caring for their 2 young children and
working with the deaf in Ensenada and helping his wife. I was able to get
a local physical therapist to go to their home 3 times a week and work with
Virginia.

Hopefully Carlos and Virginia's mother will be able to learn from the
therapist and keep working with her. I could not stress hard enough to
Carlos and his mother in law the importance of getting Virginia moving
again. She has been bedridden for over 6 weeks and her muscles
are atrophying. I am praying and hoping the therapist will be able to
help. Please pray with us, pray for Virginias recovery and mobility, it
hurts her when they try to move her arms and legs. Pray that God will send
someone to stay and help them for a month or two. Thank you for
praying.

I'm at the Suarez House.

Visiting Virginia . . . in her home!

As the Lord leads I arrive right when two men from Calvary Chapel Ensenada, the hearing church that our deaf congregation is a part of, showed up so I spend the first part of my visit interpreting.

It is amazing how the hearing portion of the church has surrounded and supported us them. These men are asking what can the congregation do - people will be sent over to give Virginia's mother (who has been mother keeping a diligent watch and care over her) a break. What supplies are needed? They'll see about getting them. There are three doctors from the congregation who are going to stop by and see about physical therapy and other needs . . . Hallelujah!

Virginia is doing better. But a long way to go. Her mother tells me that her bed sores are shrinking. It hurts her to move, but she bears it well.

When I got to walk into her small sunny her-mother-has-been-here-squeaky-clean room I see Virginia resting on her left side. She is dressed in a long sleeve colorful cotton shirt, and her hair is lovingly pulled back and in a braid.

Virginia is sleeping, her mouth loosely hanging open. But when we come I and touch her shoulder she wakes. One eye seems a bit lazy, and they don't find me right away - but when they do lock on to my face Virginia breaks into a huge smile and her body starts shaking. Is she laughing? Is she just really excited to see me?

All I know is that I almost start to cry.

Her right hand is cupped and all in all I'm reminded of someone who has suffered a stroke. Her left side not moving at all.

She is able to sign to us just a bit . . . "yes" (in Mexican Sing Language "yes" is just a movement of the pinky) and some letters.

With effort we see that she is making the letters "M" and "A" . . . my sign name.

I sign to her the plans of the church, I explain the men visitors, and then my own visit.
She smiles, she shakes . . . .

I sign to her . . . "I think you have lots to say in your head, but can't get out to your hands"

She signs "yes"

Later I bring in my soon-to-be 4 month old and hold him in her gaze.

Big Smile
Big Shakes

and she moves with a lot of effort . . . .struggling to bring her two fingers to her chin . . . doesn't quite reach her chin . . but I know what she is signing . . .

She is signing "cute"

Virginia

It looks like the hospital is going to reliese her home Thursday or Friday!

There she can be cared for and surrounded by those she loves!!!!
This is so good!

News

Update on Virginia:

Her husband when he went to see her she looked at him . . .

I mean LOOKED at him!!!

and with a bit of effort she did this:

Can you see it???

It's the "I love you" sign!!!!

Oh, we are far from "recovered" but it is a small step forward!!!!

Carlos told me this, and passed the picture on to me earlier today.

Then, just now he stopped by with his kids and asked if I could watch them 'cause he just got a text message from a friend that has been his contact with the hospital . . the text said that Virginia is going in for surgery.

That's all the text said- so you, me, and Carlos (at that time) all know the same thing.

Let me sum it up this way . . .

Praise God for the prayers he has answered today, and keep praying for Virginia and this surgery and for the bed sores she's developing.

Oh, and pray for me right now with this house full of 5 kids ages 6 and under. *sigh* I was already tired, but good thing is that I was making spaghetti!

Virginia

Update on my dear friend Virginia.

She got a feeding tub put in her nose today.

She's not out of the woods yet.

And I am working on the deaf women's retreat. I should be working with her and every moment, every decision that I'm making, and all the planning makes me miss her more.

She would be so glad to hear how well things are falling into place.

We have a guest speaker coming. Her name is Yamile Grey.

There is a good possibility that we will be having the retreat here!

Now to raise funds for a surprise for the ladies at the end of it, and air fare for our guest speaker. . .

Virginia needs to be a part of this.

Keep praying!

Urgent prayer requset for Virginia

This is an urgent prayer request that is being posted by a friend of Michelle (via my computer since hers is still not working).
A dear friend of ours, Virginia Suarez (deaf pastors' wife) had been sick for a few days and on Sunday morning she passed out and has only woken up once since. She is still in a coma at this time. The Doctors say that she is dehydrated and that her sodium and potasium levels are very low. They had originally diagnosed her with diabetes but they just rediagnosed her with menengitis. As you can imagine this has really shaken up their family. Her husband's mother is visiting for the holidays and is able to be the mediator at the hospital and make sure she is getting the best care. She will be having a neurologist come and check Virginia in the morning and if she is not getting proper care she will be asking for her to get a transfer to a better hospital.
We covet your prayers for her.
1.For her to wake from coma and for the doctors to effectivly treat the correct problem.
2. That she would be getting the best possible care.
3. For the family, her husband Carlos and the two kids. For their peace and comfort during this time.
4. For their financial situation. They do not have any insurance and do not have the resources to handle a situation like this.

Thank you so very much!
Sorry I could not get the links to work properly, but you can find more information about the Suarez family and their picture on Michelle's ministry blog. http://www.bajacompassion.blogspot.com/