In Support of The De La Torre Family

Hello dear family and friends!

We need a lot of support and love right now. A couple of weeks ago, I (Andrea) got diagnosed with a grade 2 glioma on my brain, specifically in the supplementary motor cortex but with dendrites spreading downward. Although seeing the MRI was a bit of a shock, it feels pretty miraculous that we found it since I am not yet suffering any neurological symptoms. Our doctor explained that it can quickly transform to aggressive, however, so it is best to take out as much as possible as soon as possible... which will be August 4th! Because of its location, after the surgery I will most likely experience SMA syndrome, which will present as a temporary motor paralysis on the left side of my body (since the tumor is on the right, which feels lucky since I am right handed!). With intense occupational, physical, and speech therapy, I'm expected to regain all motor skills that I may lose post surgery within 6-8 weeks (but maybe more). While the situation is serious, we are filled with hope and faith. It is probably due to the many prayers we already know many of you have been sending us! 

Unfortunately, this also means I cannot teach this fall. While it is a sad reality I had to grieve, because I love, love teaching, it also means we will be missing the income from the three teaching positions I was excited to continue this school year. Additionally, Joe was unfortunately laid off at the beginning of June, with no severance pay. He is set to begin working again this fall, thank God, but with a pay cut. Also, I was on track to finish my masters to be a Marriage and Family Therapist this December and to begin to work in the Spring... and all of that is now up in the air, depending on my recovery and the biopsy of the tumor post resection. All to say, we can use some financial help. 
Actually, we can use all kinds of help! I know many of you have been asking about a meal train or any other kind of help, and so Joe was amazing and came up with this website. 

My sister Lau and brother-in-law Kevin will be graciously taking care of our three kiddos Teo, Marco, and Isa at their house while I am in surgery, ICU, and intense rehabilitation, (probably August 4-10th?) and after that we will figure out what our new normal is for the next few months. 

Using this website you can do a myriad of helpful actions, including helping with meals, providing play buddies for the kiddos, praying, praying, praying, etc. Look around, it's a pretty neat website! Note: We don't actually need any physical help until the date of the surgery (August 4th).