1/20/2021
Hola, mi querida familia! Well, Cuca made a huge leap today. She was finally transferred to rehab! She has been placed in a facility located in Glenview, IL. She’ll most likely be there for a few weeks, then ‘graduate’ to more advanced Rehab at Lutheran when she gets stronger to succeed in their intense regimen.For now, Cuca continues to wake up. Not aIways talkative, but definitely more present. She will remain with the feeding tube for now. They’re giving her soft food, but still not consuming enough calories or nutrition. The feeding tube thus remains a must. She has lost 23 pounds since she was initially admitted. This next phase is gonna be rough. This is where the work to get her body back with movement/rehab begins, and it’s not gonna be easy. We pray that she remains motivated and fully participates as much as she’s capable to. Her mental…
1/15/2021
Yesterday, Cuca drank her first cup of coffee! She passed her swallowing test which is amazing news!!! It has been difficult for her to talk and she has not tasted food since the surgery. Since she could not swallow, the nurses were wetting her mount with a sponge. As you might imagine, it was difficult for her to talk at times since her mouth would get really dry. It broke our hearts when she would communicate that she was thirsty. There is a feeding tube going directly into her stomach that would provide her with plenty of nutrients and water but it might be hard to imagine not drinking or tasting food for so long for those of use who’ve never experienced it. Her mental awareness is really good although she does not respond verbally very often. On a positive note, she will soon be transferred to a physical therapy…
Join the Chant Event Dec. 27, 2020
Healing Circle: Friends, as many of you know, Cuca underwent major surgery to remove a brain tumor .During the procedure, Cuca suffered seizures and an unforeseen stroke when in surgery. Needless to say, Cuca’s health is quite vulnerable; dire. Although Cuca remains critical but stable, she has shown positive signs, and is progressing, however slowly. Cuca is still susceptible to further physical inflictions. We ask you to please join us in prayer for Cuca. Cuca needs “woo” now more than ever. We want to be able CHANT to the universe in hopes that we are heard. Our goal is to manifest HEALING for Cuca. And that this circle will reach Cuca, someway, somehow. We will provide “some” candles: love and light is needed.You are more than welcome to bring your own. THIS IS AN OUT DOOR EVENT . SOCIAL DISTANCE AND MASK REQUIRED. WE WILL BE STREAMING THIS LIVE AS…
December 26th, 2020
The past few days have seen some major progress. Daily zoom calls with family and close friends are helping to stimulate her and bring some fresh air into Cuca’s hospital room. Midweek she was able to open her eyes and speak a few words! When the nurses asked her if she needed anything she responded “Beer”! It’s encouraging to see her humorous personality come through! Family members heard her speak for the first time 26th. She was able to hold short conversations and asked for un cafecito. Some concerns still exist that are coming coming more into light as she becomes more conscious and responsive. The mobility of the left side of her body remains affected by the medium sized stroke that occurred during the surgery. Doctors expect her to recover but intensive surgery will be required. Swelling and fluid in her brain still remain a concern and as these…
We Stand United with Cuca
Through the trials of life, we rely on those closest to us. We have all been touched by Cuca’s life and will continue to shine on her and each other through the ups and downs. It is our hope that we can continue to sell the creations of an artist who has made such an enriching impact on the Afro-Caribbean community in Chicago. We still don’t know the degree of impact this will have on her life; its a daily journey. We do know that Cuca will not be able to make art for a period of time. Before the surgery, she repeatedly told us, “Art who is who I am. I will not stop making art”. So we are featuring a gallery of her original and printed art: a variety of sculptures, paintings, and jewelry. New to the lineup, we are excited to create Tshirts to show our support…
Wed., December 2, 2020
When you wake up you usually expect the day to be like most others: A day that fades into the year with the ebb and flow of responsibilities and accomplishments. For us, Cuca’s sons, this day started much like this. Known by many as a local Chicago business owner, Cuca the artist, known by some as friend, known by some as tia, nieta, hermana, and known by three as mami. In the evening of 12/2/20 Cuca was admitted to the hospital for a series of tests after two of her sons witnessed her collapse. No one expects a day to turn for the worse and much less to receive a call from your mother telling you she has a peach-size brain tumor behind her right eye. Cuca the artist, the mother, the sister, the person that means so much and has touched so many lives had brain surgery on Monday…