Beto's Health

Hello Everyone,
It has been a year since your extraordinary efforts to help Betto with his fight against cancer. He has now gotten to the other side of his fight and we want to let all that so generously helped us know he is doing well and is back on his bike.

Betto completed six Chemotherapy treatments and received radiation daily for six weeks. Without all your help this would not have been possible.

When Betto was in the middle of this debilitating situation his friends kept his spirits high by discussing and visualizing him biking the Volcanoes in Toluca, Mexico. This dream has come true.

In Mid October, Betto and friends went to Toluca, Mexico and biked the magnificent volcanoes at 14,000 feet elevation.

This holiday season we celebrate the wonderful gift of life! We wish you and your loved ones a happy and healthy holiday!

Love and blessings,

Anita and Betto

Long Overdue

Hi Everyone,

I am sorry I have not been able to keep you informed about Betto’s progress. I had a premature baby boy on October 14 th., and life has been very hectic. I am happy to say that Betto has finished his chemotherapy and has been feeling well enough to bike again! What a blessing! His life has returned to a form of normal for now. Unfortunately, he will have to begin radiation this Thursday in Leon. He will be going everyday for the month of March. He has gone through many tests to see exactly where the radiologist will treat him. He will need the radiation all the way
up his spine and into his neck. Lymphoma can work its way in to the brain and because of where it was found in Betto’s back, they will start a aggressive treatment. March will be a difficult month, but we look forward to this being the final treatment. After this he will be tested every six months to make sure there are no other lymphoma cells missed.

We appreciate all your positive thoughts and prayers!

Much Love,
Natalie

Happy Holidays! I wanted to let everyone know that this Friday, December 4th, Betto will be in Leon for what (we hope) will be his final chemotherapy . He is in good spirits and is looking forward to this part of his recovery being over. After this, he will undergo a biopsy in the second lumbar where the original Lymphoma was found. That will be an over night stay in the hospital. He will then begin his radiation therapy which he has been told will begin in the second lumbar and go up the spinal cord into the neck. Lymphoma has the ability to travel to the brain when found in the spine. They will be trying to get every cell of it before the end of treatment. Betto knows he still has more steps to go, but is with a warm heart and positive spirit. He has been released from the spinal surgeon and is ready for the spine and back rehabilitation. Betto's nephew Daniel will be helping in the bicycle shop during the holidays with possible tours and his sister Victoria will continue to keep the shop open while Betto recovers from the chemotherapy and radiation. With GOD'S help he will be back on his bike in March! Thanks to all of you this can be a reality!!

Much Love,

Natalie

I had some computer access today at the hospital so I wanted to send an update! Beto had his chemo treatment last week, had a rough couple of days after, but was able to travel to Dallas with his sister and brother in law for a visit. He and my mother are driving back to SMA today. The doctor's are recommending a treatment plan of 3 more chemo treatments followed by some radiation. This is what they are hoping can take care of the cancer and put Beto in remission. Please pray that this course of action can take care of the cancer and put Beto back on his bike where he belongs :)

Thank you all for your continued support and donations. They are much needed to finish this treatment process and get Beto in good health. Your letters and emails have helped his moral tremendously and given him a pep in his step :)

As things get calmer here, I will try to be better at the updates.

Much Love,

Natalie

Hi there! I am so sorry for the delay in information! Things have been a bit crazy as I have been in the hospital, but I am happy to announce that Beto is a grandfather! Ty and I had our son 3 days ago. He came 2 months early and is still in the ICU, but doing great!

Beto had his 4th chemo treatment yesterday and is feeling pretty bad today. The doctor thinks that 3 more treatments are necessary with a follow-up of radiation to ensure it does not spread up the spine. He is hanging in there and continues to take it one day at a time. Thank you for the continued support as I know this is a long road. I hope to speak with Beto tonight so more to come...

Much Love,

Natalie

Thursday Night!

Wow! Thank you all for an amazing event. You all helped raise $13,803.59 for Beto's treatment. That is amazing! I am sad I was unable to attend the event, but I heard that it was a beautiful night for a beautiful life. It was touching for Beto to be able to see everyone and feel the love and support behind him. Thank you for all your hard work, donations, and purchases. You are all amazing. I will post pictures from the event as I get them.

Much Love,

Natalie

Good Morning,

I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend! Beto had his third, (thank you, thank you!!!!), chemotherapy treatment on Friday and is home and resting well. It seems that each treatment effects his body differently which I have found really interesting. This particular treatment has effected his mind more than anything making his memory bad and spotty. 

The fundraiser is Thursday so we are excited about that! It should be wonderful. Thank you to everyone who has worked so hard on the fundraiser and donated their time, art, and services. 

Please continue to pray for Beto and his journey with this horrible disease. After the next treatment (treatment #4) we will be half-way through the treatment. Please pray that the cancer will be eliminated and Beto can continue with his life. 

Much Love,

Natalie

I hope all is well! I apologize for the week of absence. Ty and I were out of town for a couple of weeks. 

Beto continues to do well and is hanging in there. As many of you know, chemo just takes so much out of you. There are good days and bad days. The blood work indicates that the white blood cell count continues to decline. Thank you all dearly for all of your continued support and prayers. 

Things have come together for the fundraiser and I hope you all get to make it! It will be a beautiful evening. As you know, tickets can be purchased on the blog homepage or at the door. They are $15 or $200.00 pesos. Each tickets get you in the door, 2 glasses of wine and tapas.

As soon as I get more information on medical care or Beto's condition, I will let you know.

Much Love,

Natalie

2nd Chemo Treatment

Beto had his 2nd chemo treatment yesterday. I am happy to report that so far, he has not gotten ill from this dosage. He has been out of bed today, but taking it easy. This is a much welcomed contrast to the last treatment he received. It feels as though life is still in slow motion right now as we get through these initial months, still trying to believe that this is really happening. As life continues to go on around you, sometimes you feel pretty paralyzed and stagnant in the mists of all of this, but everyone is doing well and keeping high hopes. Please continue to pray for Beto, the treatment process and its effectiveness. Beto was telling me last night how difficult it was to sit next to small children, with bald heads like his, getting their chemo, while singing their encouraging Sunday school songs not fully knowing the realm of what was happening to them. I can not get this heartbreaking image out of my head, showing us all how far reaching and evil this disease is, while reminding us how innocent and encouraging the spirit of a child can be. Beto said that listening to this little girl sing made him feel better and more relaxed. I loved this story, as he was so moved by this brave little girl!
I hope everyone is having a great weekend.

Much Love,

Natalie

CHANGE to Fundraiser Tickets

Good Morning,

I wanted to let you all know that we ARE going to have actual tickets for the fundraiser now. You will just pick them up at the door so you do not have to worry about getting them before the event. Each ticket will give you 2 glasses of wine at the event, so we thought doing actual tickets would be easier. Just wanted to let you all know about that change. 

Beto is getting his 2nd dose of chemo as we speak so please keep him in your thoughts today. Thank you! If you have any questions about the event, please let me know.

Much Love,

Natalie

Purchasing Fundraiser Tickets

I created a link on the blog for you all to purchase your fundraiser tickets online. All the proceeds go into the same account as donations and will be used for treatment. Once you purchase your ticket, an email with your name is sent to me via paypal. Do not worry about having a tangible ticket to bring to the event. I will have a list at the door of those who purchased their tickets online and tickets will be available at the door as well.

It is going to be a wonderful evening so I hope you all come!

Galeria Pergola

Inside the Instituto Allende
Ancha De San Antonio 20
San Miguel De Allende, GTO Mexico 37700
T: 011 52 (415) 154 5595
T: (214) 245 4902
F: (214) 774 4512

More details to come...

Natalie

The Beto Martinez Medical Fundraiser September 24th, 2009

Good Morning,

I wanted to give everyone the information on the fundraiser and silent auction being held for Beto on September 24th, 2009 at the Galeria Pergula. We are still accepting donations from local businesses and artists for auction items if you or anyone you know is interested in donating something. We will start selling tickets on the blog for the event this week. I will let you know when they become available and you will be able to purchase them through paypal on the blog.

Galeria Pergola
Inside the Instituto Allende

Ancha De San Antonio 20

San Miguel De Allende, GTO Mexico 37700

T: 011 52 (415) 154 5595

T: (214) 245 4902

F: (214) 774 4512

Beto is doing well and will go get another blood test tomorrow followed by a 7 hour chemo treatment on Friday. Please pray that he has a better couple of days after chemo this time. As always, please contact me with any questions.

Much Love,

Natalie

Ty and I returned from San Miguel last night. We had a wonderful trip and it was very difficult to leave. Beto has started loosing his hair due to the chemo, but other than that, looks like Beto :) Here are a couple of photos. One of Beto and Uva and the other of Ty and Beto walking through the rain. Beto has a doctor's appointment on Wednesday and I will update with more information as we receive it. I hope everyone is doing well! We will be having the fundraiser September 24th in San Miguel. I am so excited about the silent auction and am grateful to all of those wonderful artists who have donated some amazing pieces. Thank you!

Much Love,

Natalie

Wednesday

Good Morning,

I just wanted to let everyone know that Beto received his new blood panel yesterday and his white blood cell count has gone down! I do not have the file in front of me to tell you the exact numbers, but this is a sign that the first chemo treatment was helpful! I am so excited to share this news! Thank you all, as this is a testament to all your donations and prayers! I have taken some wonderful photos and will post them tomorrow or this evening. We are having a wonderful visit and it will be very difficult to leave, but I must say that I am pleasantly surprised to see that Beto looks as good as he does. It is strange for us to see him move slowly with a cain, but he is doing so well. We just have to make sure he does not overdue it :) No climbing mountains right now :) Again, thank you all for your letters. He loved reading them and continues to look through them daily. They are very encouraging! More to come...

Much Love,

Natalie

Monday

I apologize for not writing more sooner. I just arrived to San Miguel today. Beto and my mother picked Ty and I up from the airport. Beto looked really good considering. He has to wear a brace for his back and is walking with a cane, but still had that wonderful warm smile that we all love. He has lost a lot of weight, but that is to be expected. I can't thank you all enough for all your cards. I gave them to him this evening and he really enjoyed hearing from all of you. He goes for a blood test in the morning and I will have lots to report I imagine after this week.

Thank you all for the prayers and sweet emails.

Much Love,

Natalie

Thursday

Good Morning,

I hope everyone is doing well! I wanted to give you all an update on Beto. I received this update from my mother this morning and thought I would just post it in her words. Thank you for your continued support and prayers.

"Betto has been very sick from the Chemotherapy since Sunday. It has been four difficult days. We were told we would have an appointment in Leon this week to see if we would receive the government help, but have not heard from them. He would not have been able to go anyway. Life just seems to be on hold. He is eating, and he wants ketchup on everything. He has not eaten ketchup on anything before now. The nausea has been the worst, however the biggest problem is that he basically can't move which is incredibly hard for an athletic. I do want to be sure everyone knows Bici-Burro bike shop is still open. Betto's sisters are helping out and his amazing nephew Daniel is there on the week-ends as he is now in college in Guanajuato."

Much Love,

Natalie

Sunday

I hope everyone is having a great weekend. Beto is having a rough day as I think the effects of the chemo have caught up to him. I was really hoping to postpone this as long as possible, but unfortunately he is feeling it. Please pray that the government program accepts Beto and they can save some money on the treatment. Right now, they would not be able to complete the therapy needed. With acceptance into this program, they would have to travel to Leon for treatment, but the cost would be slightly lower. Getting accepted into this program has been very difficult. Beto had to go to 2 long and grilling interviews yesterday and has another interview (hopefully the last) in Leon this week. It is very bureaucratic. Let's think positive thoughts about his mental and physical condition and acceptance into the program. 

Much Love,

Natalie

Friday

Good Morning!

Beto completed his first day of chemo yesterday and is feeling really well! He and my mother both agreed that the anticipation was the worst and once they arrived at the "blood bank", everyone was very kind and the facility was extremely comfortable.  They completed 5 hours yesterday and are doing 5 hours today. The doctor said that it is not uncommon for patients to still feel "good" after the first 2 doses, but if you can keep that going after the 3rd, that is a good sign. Let's hope for that!! I was so glad to hear that they had a rather pleasant experience yesterday. They could not say enough good things about the staff and facility itself. What a blessing!!!!!! 

Beto will stop and meet with Dr. Malo, I know, what a name for a doctor, and get an X-ray today of his back to make sure that it is healing correctly from the surgery and then go to chemo. Thank you, thank you, thank you for making this possible. You are all amazing and should know that each and every one of you are my HERO! 

More to come...

Much Love,

Natalie

Good Morning!

Beto and my mother left at 11 am to drive to Queretaro for the first chemo treatment. It begins at 3 pm and will last for 5 hours. They are coming home tonight to get some rest and will return tomorrow for the second half of today's treatment at 11 am again. They wanted to split up the initial treatment, as they thought it may be too much at once (time wise) to do it in one day. Please pray that the chemo does not make Beto too sick and that his body receives it well. I will let you all know as soon as I hear form them.

Much Love,

Natalie

Chemotherapy

I am extremely happy to say that Beto will start chemo around 3pm on Thursday in Queretaro. San Luis Potosi did not work out, as they could not accommodate Beto for another month, and waiting that long is not an option. They will start the chemo in Queretaro and possibly continue in Leon if they are eligible for the government price break program which would save $8,000 total in the end. They want to administer the chemo in three week intervals (around 21-30 days) apart. Next week he will have a follow up with the surgeon just to see how the healing is coming with the surgery. 

Please continue to pray that his body takes to the therapy. Thank you all for your continued support.

Much Love,

Natalie