Update - April 17, 2013

It has been a rough couple of days - for the country and for Lauren and her family.  The horror of what happened in Boston on Monday hits all of us.  Lauren's mom, Lisa, has actually run the Boston Marathon before and it was the highlight of her marathon career.  She had qualified to run Boston again this year, but due to the race already being full when she qualified, she was put into NEXT year's race.  While her family is grateful that she was not in the danger zone, they are - like the rest of nation - grieving for those who were. 

The family is also distraught about the loss of one of Gary's brother's who passed away this week. 

Lauren herself has been battling a bad case of the flu, which can be dangerous to healthy people and especially dangerous to those with compromised immune systems.  Her doctors in Carlsbad are keeping an eye on her and she's been prescribed what medications can be used to treat something like the flu.  Yesterday she was prescribed antibiotics on top of that to treat strep as well.  Mostly she is trying to rest. 

She got some disheartening news from the gastroenterologist in Dallas, who has determined that she should not do one of the tests he wanted to.  They are being extra careful to not put her body through too much stress before a surgery, but of course, every delay is hard on her as well.

She is just about one-month out from her trip to Baltimore and it is both a relief that it is so close and a frustration that it is so far away.  She knows that the doctor in Dallas is planning on working with the doctor in Baltimore and that is positive. 

With all the negativity and the sadness that we are all feeling, she wanted us to again say thank you.  The nature of her illnesses make it hard for her to socialize and all the kind words, thoughts and prayers that have come her way have really helped.  Hearing from friends and family helps her to feel more a part of things.  She also really appreciates all the donations that you have sent, recently and from the beginning.  Again, the donations that went into Paypal are anonymous to her, but she has been so blown by the generosity, she wanted to say thanks to all of you. 

Because of the uncertainty of what will happen, we have no way of estimating how much will be necessary in the coming weeks and months and that is why we will continue to share how to donate.  Her husband will be taking time off to help her and that may add to the strain.  We do want to share with you that your donations have helped pay for her recent trips to Dallas to see the doctor there and some of the medical bills that have come from that trip.  They have also helped pay for her plane tickets to Baltimore.  For all of that, and the continued love and prayers, we wanted to say Thank you.  Thank you so much for everything.

With everything that has happened over the last couple of days, it reminds us of the need to let the ones you love how you feel.  And she really appreciates all of you.

Ways to contribute:

You can click the button below to contribute to a Pay Pal account that is linked directly to the Benefit Account for Lauren Heredia. Lauren herself does not have access to this account, so it is anonymous to her and the funds are transferred to her bank account. If anyone wants proof of their donation, please email helplaurenheredia@gmail.com (this is not a tax-deductible donation).

You can also send checks made payable to Lauren or Fabian Heredia to:

Lauren & Fabian Heredia
PO Box 942
Carlsbad, New Mexico
88221

This goes directly to them.  And you can go into any Wells Fargo location and ask to make a deposit into the Benefit Account for Lauren Heredia .  It may be necessary to tell the teller the account was opened in New Mexico.
Be good to each other.