It's the Good Life. (Written on Nov. 19, 2011)...by Liana

It’s been a very crazy month.

The last weekend of October I planned to go to Seattle with my Mom and two friends for ILD Global, FED (Free Enterprise Day) Conference. That same week, on a tuesday my Mom went to the ER. I went on to Seattle, it was a trip we had already planned for months. The thursday night before I left, we again visited my Mom and they said she potentially had lung cancer. It was something I refused to believe until the results came in. While in Seattle on Friday, I got the text—it truly was. On Sunday while in the conference…found out she was battling stage 4 cancer that had spread to her bones. But even while I was there, I don’t regret going—it may seem cold or cruel, but God had something for me out there. He wanted to continue in me the dream of my parents even though they couldn’t come with me. He also wanted me to learn to dream again too, so I can teach others to do the same.

The Friday after, Nov. 4 we almost thought we’d lose my Mom. She was having A LOT of difficulty breathing so she was put on a BiPap (breathing machine) that forces oxygen into her lungs but then she wouldn’t be able to eat. We thought she’d pass away…but the next day, after much prayer and petition she was off it! She was improving for the whole week after. Friday, Nov. 11 I just remember thinking about how well she was doing after one week!

However…this week, on Wednesday morning she was put in the ICU (Intensive Care Unit) because again it was difficult for her to breathe—her right lung had collapsed.
So now my Mom is intubated for oxygen and has a chest tube that inflates her left lung.
It’s been one crazy month. I’ve missed at least one day of school each week since my second term has started! So yes, it’s been one very crazy month…and it’s only been a month since my world has been kind of flipped sideways.

But these things I’ve learned, God is good. He is a real God who truly cares for us. God still works miracles—it’s not something that can happen for only special people. It’s just a faith thing—and you have to have nothing in the way between you and Him.

He’s bringing people back into my life that I haven’t seen in years—in fact, they’re people that I honestly never thought I’d ever see again. It’s crazy how many people care for my family, for my Mom, for my sisters, for my Dad, for me. That all these people would come out here and support us. There’s someone new visiting every SINGLE day! Plus quite a few of the regulars. That all these people love Jesus Christ and are willing to pray for my family—people I don’t even know! Who don’t even know ANYONE in my family! It’s crazy.

It’s still the Good Life. You know why? Because God is good, he’s why I’m not on the floor bawling my eyes out everyday with stinkin’ thinkin’ that “Oh no, my Mom’s gonna dieeeeee!”.

Nope.

I believe God does miracles, and I have hope until the very end. And at the very end, I will still have hope.


Expect a Miracle.

TENTATIVE funeral update

Good afternoon everyone,

Tentative funeral date: December 1-3, 2011.

Tentative location: San Francisco/Bay Area

These are TENTATIVE dates and location, everything is still to be determined and announced. If you'd like to come, more information will be posted at a later date.

Thank you.

Expect a miracle.

She is NOW peacefully resting...

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” ~Psalm 116:15

AGNES Fe Espiritu Seisa

October 20, 1964 - November 21, 2011

She took her last breath at 2:19 a.m. She is now resting peacefully in the arms of her Heavenly Father, reunited with her son, Evan.

Her husband, Dennis, and her girls (Desiree-19, Liana-17 and Sammi-6) and the entire Seisa & Espiritu families THANK ALL OF YOU for your unrelenting LOVE and SUPPORT during this painful and difficult time. Continue to pray for their young family.

Funeral arrangements will be announced in the days to follow. We’ll be posting them here.

“...in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the LOVE of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” ~Romans 8:37-39

I miss you already, my dearest friend. My heart is bleeding but I know you're in a much better place where no worry nor pain resides. And you will be FOREVER YOUNG! (I love our very last photo together at Mercy Hospital, Room 207. You go, GIRL!)

Seisa Girls Arrived Safely in Sacto!

Just got a text from Desiree. They arrived safely in Sacramento. (I have to ask her how fast she was going!) Keep praying.

Most Recent Update on Agnes • 11:30 pm

Just spoke with Dennis, Agnes' oxygen is down to 80s (should be 95s per doctor). Her heart is working double time and still breathing with the help of the machine. If her heart fails, they won't be able to resuscitate her.

Her girls & grandma just left Daly City 45 minutes ago. Pray for a safe drive to Sacramento, and that Agnes will hold on until they arrive at the hospital.

URGENT!

Agnes' OXYGEN is going down.


Prayer warriors, be on our knees!


(Dennis just left me a message at 9:30 pm. I don't why I didn't hear my phone!)

Is Agnes a celebrity???

We visited my sister yesterday. Her condition is still stable, and we are very thankful for the ICU nurses round the clock who are caring for Agnes. We know God’s presence is with Agnes and all over her room. Whenever my wife and I read or share a scripture, prayer or blessing with Agnes, the nurses will drop in and we ask “Are we in your way?” and they respond “Oh no, just continue what you're doing.” Even during those moments, Agnes is still being used for the glory of God.

We went to a fundraiser on Friday night at 7 pm, November 18^th, 2011, given by Fil-Am Evangelical Covenant Church. It was a play called “It’s Cool To Be in the Furnace” and my niece, Liana, was in it. Originally, it was a fundraiser for my sister’s church building but it was turned into a fundraiser for her rising medical expenses.

We loved the creativity of the play. It was about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego set to jazzy tunes.

 

Anyways, when the offering plate was passed around, I felt the love of everyone’s generosity of contributing their donations and hard-earned money towards Agnes’ expenses. This brought tears of joy to see the love that people have demonstrated.

We came back to the hospital around 9 pm. We saw Agnes and she can hear us. When Vernie asked her questions, she can nod. She’s still fighting and clinging to her life. She’s a fighter.

As we were waiting for the elevator in the lobby, a stranger asked me who Agnes was.. 

The reason why he asks is because the last 2 days he was there, he observed this:

·        Crowds (30 or more) of people visiting my sister.

·        Visitors taking up the entire waiting room. 25 people fitting into a waiting room built for 15 people!

·        Crowds of young people

·        Little kids

·        Elderly people

·        Lots of families

All visiting my sister…

He then asked, “Is she someone special? A celebrity, maybe?” I told him she was my sister. 

He walked away with a smile. I felt the inspiration and blessing on his face. Can you believe that? Agnes is still making an impact to strangers.

I pondered about the stranger’s question, "Is she someone special?" The answer is, "She sure is!"

Agnes has touched so many friends that I didn’t even know she had . She’s the mom to every young person they have never had. . She’s their life coach. She’s the friend they never had. She’s a great mom. She’s a great wife to Dennis. She’s God’s child.

She’s my sister.

Expect a miracle.

JaimeE 

Update From Dennis

Hello Everyone,

Some quick update. Yesterday as I left & returned Mercy Hospital in the morning. Nurse asked Agnes if she was having breathing difficulties. She nodded "Yes," which was a Miracle in itself since she is heavily sedated. Nurse Prayed with her after asking Agnes, nodding "yes," if she can pray for her.

A chest tube was added immediately by the staff to the Left lung due to it collapsing as x-ray revealed.


She is surrounded by Great People who OCCUPY Mercy General Hospital who are fervently praying for her.

****

Been having some Beautiful Fall/Winter days here in Northern California.

Sooo much Fall Color with a Touch of Grey due to the recent rains we have received.

It seems Life have given Our Family soo much Color recently in these past days & weeks.

As we approached these Grateful Holidays,Your Prayers, Tears, Quotes, Songs/Music, Time & Resources are Greatly Appreciated in our small corner of the world.

As God performs his Daily Miracles here at Mercy Hospital.

We Celebrate Thanksgiving for each & every moment that God gives to Agnes Fe Seisa.

My friend, Dennis and recent update...

Finally spoke with Dennis, my other dear friend. I've been trying to get ahold of him, texting/FBing/nagging him to get more updates on Agnes' condition but sometimes we forget, I FORGET, that he is overwhelmed. That he is in dire need of some time to recuperate himself. I'm sorry, Dennis. You've been so strong for everyone, we sometimes think you don't need to rest. I forget that you have to take care of other things, too. Paperwork, phone calls, kids to take care of. And on top of all that, trying to find a stable job to provide for your family.

Friends, please keep our dear brother, Dennis in prayer, as much as our dear Agnes.

At any rate, here's Dennis' recent update via FB. Please read and pray...

"Hello Everyone,

Thank You All for Your Love/Support to Our Family.

I'm sorry if I don't come here (FB) that often, It has been a long week for Agnes & her journey fighting thru this cancer ordeal.

Last week she had a life conditional change which was resolved by prayers & BiPap (forced oxygen) machine to her lungs which helped her breathe on her own again.

This past week was filled with positive strides, ie: both lung wall linings starting to get thinner of cancer cells due to the Tarceva medicine, her appetite becoming more with her finishing up some homemade spaghetti. (Thanks, Sharee!)

Things were looking up!

Unfortunately, on Tuesday night, 11/15th, she started coughing again, & was given Zanax, Adavant, Nebulizer, etc...to help with her anxiety/breathing.

BiPap was added at 1 am as she was struggling to breathe, using it on & off thru the night till Wednesday morning.

Around 6 am, Wednesday, 11/16th, she was tiring out & the Rapid Response Team (Mercy) was onsite as her blood pressure climbed up to 160. The team asked for permission to intubate her (oxygen tube down the throat) to help her with her breathing & to lower the blood pressure.

Called my brother, Elmer & family, a friend, for prayer & advice on the matter since this will sedate her, & will have to her breathe mechanically. Intubation was iniated at 6:30 am, transferring her to the 3rd floor to the ICU for observation & evaluation.


CAT Scan was initiated to find out other symptoms. It revealed that the right lung has collapsed/pneumothorax with the left lung doing all the work for several hours prior to intubation revealed also that the left lung was starting to collapse along with the right & intubation has saved her from expiring.


Right lung received a tube/below ribs to help re-inflate/air exchange for Agnes' breathing. Left lung was being considered also for this procedure for possibility of collapsing.


Doctors informed us that the right lung collapsed maybe due to pin hole size puncture caused by the cancer cells making the lung wall porous, also there is NO possibility of cure/repair due to both lungs being filled with cancer cells complication. (Note: She's no longer taking chemo and Tarceva.)


We are asking for your mighty prayers & still Expecting Miracles!
Our goal is have Thanksgiving with our Family/Friends. For this will be Her Finest Days/Hours with Us here on Earth....." ~Dennis & family

Having Thanksgiving dinner together as a family. Simple yet significant request. Each minute, each day is priceless. Make each moment count with your loved ones, will you? Not just on the holidays but throughout the year.

In the meantime, Dennis asks that if you would like to visit, please make sure that you are not sick. Children under 12 cannot visit due to hospital regulations. She no longer resides in Room 207. She has been moved to the ICU, Room 342. When you do visit, pray and read her the bible. She'll like that.

Send me your favorite bible verses, and photos of/with Agnes, too. Dennis reads them to her, and they encourage her more than you know. Write something (an event, a gesture, serious or silly things) you remember about her, things she did or said that made an impact on you. I'll post them on a special page on this blog.

How precious are Your thoughts about me, O God.

They cannot be numbered!

I can’t even count them;

They outnumber the grains of sand!

And when I wake up,

YOU are still with me! 

~Psalm 139:17-18

ANOTHER URGENT MESSAGE

I don't know why I didn't see this earlier:

AGNES ON LIFE SUPPORT! PRAYER IS NEEDED. (texted at 6:05 am)

Dennis' text messages

6:55 am - Intubation has been initiated. Please pray

10:18 am - Numothorax on the right lung on Agnes. Keep praying

the waiting room.

Sitting in the waiting room of Mercy ICU with some of my family here with me. I keep a hopeful disposition because I believe and expect a miracle. But that does not mean I should get lax on prayer--no. We are on the offense side in prayer and petition. Our GOD is so great and wonderful, I just hope to have that sort of Jesus-calm in me. You know, the Jesus-calm--the type of calm that happens when someone so full of faith and love for Jesus Christ walks into the room. You could be feeling so chaotic, but then the Spirit of the Lord is upon them and having them there is like having a little piece of God in the flesh with you. For we know and have Jesus Christ in us, but sometimes you just want Jesus with skin. My mom is like that, she's got the Jesus calm.

Enough of my thoughts, here's the news you've been waiting for.

Visited my Mom last night, she was having some trouble breathing and was coughing quite a bit. She took a breathing treatment and ate spaghetti! Later that night my dad told me that she was put on bi-pap (that breathing mask). Earlier this morning she was intubated and transferred to the CS-ICU. She just got a CT scan. They're going to place another tube in her lung.

These are critical times for my mom. We're able to visit her but she is heavily sedated. She can hear us and we're going in 3 at a time. It is important that we continue to pray for my mom and believe that she will get through this storm. We are waiting for our Savior to come and calm the storm. Do not lose hope everyone. Thank you everyone for coming and showing your support so far and I believe that it has given my mom the strength to fight. I praise God for raising up my mom to be a fighter. Together, we will win this battle!

Expect a miracle!

be free.
-Liana S.

Urgent Phone Call From Dennis

Dennis said that Agnes was having a hard time breathing all night, rapid team came in, took her to ICU on the 3rd floor where she is right now. Her blood pressure is very high. Doctors strongly suggested intubation or her heart will stop. Families are coming over today. Please don't stop praying for for her.

He has a job interview today but will ask to have it rescheduled. Please pray that he will be granted another interview date, and that he will stay strong.

"He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, 

miracles that cannot be counted." ~Job 5:9

Urgent Update!

Received this text early this morning...

She started physical therapy (PT) on Friday. So this is a photo from our webcam of my Mom sitting up by herself for the first time in two weeks. I felt like some sort of spy/stalker but more like a proud parent when I was trying to get this photo of her.

She was also able to stand for the first time in two weeks too, but I know she's impatient and eager to do more than that. She's currently having PT everyday now.

Other news - Espiritu side family visited from L.A. yesterday. It was good to meet them all, I've always quite forgotten that I have family on my Mom's side so it was great to see them, a very pleasant surprise. I know my Mom appreciated them, too, and hopes to see them again soon.

-Liana S.

P.S. Please pray for a three bedroom downstairs apartment. Thank youu.

Why do we go through trials in our lives?

My sister's recovery is amazing. In the Bible, there were many miracles and healings that went on. Today, these miracles and healings march on. We simply have to remove any doubt in our hearts and believe wholeheartedly that God is in complete control. God wants us to go to the next level. Agnes's example is a testimony. She touched and affected a lot of lives. I hope that God is working through you to improve your relationship with Him. He used Agnes as a wake up call in our own lives.

Why do we go through trials? Pastor Tony Evans explains it here:

Much like the stress test my doctor puts me through every summer, God allows trials and tests in our lives in order to reveal where we are along our spiritual journey. He does this for the purpose of correcting whatever happens to be wrong, revealing whatever needs to be revealed, and strengthening whatever seems to be weak so that we might move on to what He has in store for us.

When you are caught between a rock and a hard place, you feel trapped, stuck, and tired of where you are. You either don't know what to do, or you don't know how to legitimately do what you feel you need to do. You are like Israel when they faced Pharaoh on one side and the Red Sea on the other and certain death was upon them.

Getting caught between a rock and a hard place is a lose-lose deal. If it were a clear win-lose deal, then you would know how to choose and where to turn. But what do you do when there are no clear choices? What option do you choose when both options are bad? Have you ever been in a situation where all of the ways that you turn to are problems, and you are just trying to find the least possible problem to choose as the solution?

I know I've been in situations like that and it's not fun. It's about as fun as huffing and puffing on that treadmill in my doctor's office. But one thing I've learned over the years is that God has a purpose for these times in our lives. Just like my doctor is not a mean man for putting my body through all of that stress, God is not a mean God when He decrees that we go through trials.

When God wants to reveal the real condition of your heart to empower you toward His plan for your future, He puts you in one of these kinds of trials. 

James 1:12 and Psalms 6

Finally figured out how to post on the blog! (:

Photo taken yesterday morning, this is her "I'm sad because I'm sick" face.


Hello all! Liana speaking from the bedside of my Mom.
Just found out some wonderful news about all of...30 seconds ago!
I spoke to her Doctor in order to first of all, introduce myself and second to ask if we could receive a doctor's note so we could move from our second floor apartment to a first floor one.


He cocked his head a little to the left and looked at me kind of funny, "She may not need it." I was taken aback, I know surprise was written all over my face. My thoughts? What do you mean she may not need it? He had a slight smile on his face--he didn't allow the question to linger in the air long, "Her x-rays show improvement in her lungs."


Praise the Lord, my dear friends! The tarceva chemotherapy is effective! Your prayers--God is our ultimate healer. I just ask you continue to keep the faith and pray because...

We expect a miracle.

We don't just believe--for believing is having the confidence (and that we do have),
but we expect--we look forward and await in eager expectation.


Be free.
- Liana S.

P.S. If you don't know who I am, I'm Dennis and Agnes' daughter (middle child).

Late Night Update (Very Late)

"Rise up, O Lord, in all Your power.

With music and singing we celebrate Your mighty acts."

~Psalm 21:13

"Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; celebrate His lovely name with music." ~Psalm 135:3

"I will praise You with music...because You are faithful to Your promises, O my God. I will sing praises to You..." ~Psalm 71:22

"Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; celebrate His lovely name with music." ~Psalm 135:3

"The eyes of all look to You in hope; You give them their food as they need it." ~Psalm 145:15

"He trains my hands for battle; He strengthens my arm to draw a bronze bow." ~Psalm 18:34

"Nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.

 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord." ~Romans 8:38-39

Agnes is now sleeping soundly. Completely different from my last week's visit. She can sit up, and help herself with her food. Not much but it's a good start. She can breathe easily, barely any coughing. She's still lightheaded, gets dizzy, and cannot walk. She can't wait to use her legs. The nurses put some contraptions on her legs to circulate the blood.

Friends from the youth group came to minister/serenade her with worship tunes. (Thanks Gabe & Mikey--that was awesome praise & worship.) I truly enjoyed the soft live music. Her girls were here, too (sans Dez). Sammi helped me put up paper hearts on the wall with Chris' help. They stayed until a little after 10pm. Dennis came by later from a job interview to pick up his girls. They still have school the next day.

We had some time alone before her medications kicked in. Her eyes were getting very heavy, and even at that, she was fighting sleep. Didn't I tell you she's a fighter? Which is a good thing but not at that time. She needed to rest. It's so good to see her smile, laugh at my corny jokes, and appreciate beautiful music. It was just like the good ol' days.

Right now, we're playing Sharee's playlist. (Thank you, Sharee =.)

Keep praying. She's doing a lot better but still weak and in need of assistance. She's taking it nice and slow. Again, thank you everyone for visiting and reaching out to her. She's immensely blessed, as I.

Here's her prayer requests:
- cancer-free, completely healed
- Medi-cal is approved--just needs little paperwork to get it going
- able to move apartment unit from 2nd floor to ground floor
- to celebrate Thanksgiving at home with her family
- not to worry too much about the future
- wants to do normal things like walk around Target without having to buy anything
- able to go out with her girlfriends and to enjoy some social life when she gets better
- Dennis gets the job he interviewed for

Wishing everyone a blessed weekend.

Hem your blessings with thankfulness so they don't unravel.  ~Author Unknown


ciao, siopao =.)
~(ate/auntie) christine 

Ensure for DIZZERT...

I came by to visit Auntie Agnes after I got off work on Monday afternoon, and ended up staying well into the evening. I am happy to report that Auntie is doing very well and improving day by day. Her appetite is slowly getting bigger and she is talking more. On Monday evening, she was informed by her RT (respiratory therapist) that her pulse/ox stats had improved throughout the entire day. The next morning (Tuesday, 11/8) as promised, I brought a new flavor of Ensure so she could have a new flavor to mix up a few things. We took some time this morning to organize her space with a few new caddies. :) One of the first things Auntie was excited to share with me was she was no longer getting her breathing treatments because on the affects post treatment (she gets really anxious, in which she would need another medicine to counter act her anxiety) and in great part her breathing is improving. She is still on oxygen, but much more relaxed and getting the needed rest that her body needs. The Dr. that came in to check on her, informed her that gaining weight and getting adequate rest is vital to her improvement.

Lunch arrived around noon, and she dared me to try her food. I told her I would if she would do it first. She tried everything on her plate and finished her soup, and ensure! ;) Naturally, after a meal it's nap time! I brought my laptop to make a mix of music that will help her relax while she's in the room. In the process of making the mix, Auntie fell asleep and so did I! I guess that the mix is so good, I inadvertently put myself to sleep! If anyone would like to expand her library of relaxing music, please feel free to bring a CD! Uncle Dennis brought a cd/ipod player, so no need to bring a boombox of your own. She likes acoustic music (i.e. guitars, easy jazz, etc.) While Auntie and I were napping, Uncle Dennis and Pastor Hugo went out on some errands. Little did Auntie and I know that they would come back with a mini-fridge, and enough ensure to fill it! It was quite the sight to see as they perched it atop the window ledge and filled it with a bounty of ensure!

Auntie's faith, strength, and courage amazes me. Day by day, little by little, she is getting better...

--Sharee Nuez--


{Thanks, Sharee, for this wonderful account of your time with your Auntie Agnes.}

Today's Update: Better!

So delighted to read her response just this morning. Keep praying. Thanks, family & friends for updating everyone and encouraging (Auntie) Agnes.

And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise her up. If she has sinned, she will be forgiven. ~James 5:15