Live in the Moment: The Eddie Vela Story

White House honors children of fallen soldiers

Live in the Moment: The Eddie Vela Story

By Mary Nichols

On June 25, 2009 Eddie Vela woke up in the recovery room at Mission Hospital after having his appendix removed. He was dazed and the only thing that reassured him he wasn’t dreaming were the florescent lights that beamed down on him. While lying in bed he could hear doctors congregating next door, “Can you believe we found this? I can’t believe we found cancer inside him?” Bewildered at first, Vela realized the doctors were referring to him. At age 32, he had cancer.

Eddie Vela, a graduate from Mission High school, has a rare and incurable cancer, apendiceal carcinoma. However, since being diagnosed with the cancer three months ago, Vela has been determined to live a normal life. In fact, he recently founded the Faith, Family and Friends Foundation, to help others with cancer and will be holding a fundraising kick-ball tournament on Saturday, Nov. 28.

“We’re always trying to figure out what our purpose or mission in life is, and all of a sudden God sheds light on it. God shows you where you have been and where he wants you to go,” said Vela. “It’s like a blessing he gives saying, ‘You may not have many days left, like most people, but with the time you have do what you can.’ That’s why we have started the foundation and hope to do more to help others in my situation.”

Vela and his wife of five years, Brandy, have lived away from the Rio Grande Valley for about 10 years pursuing college and job opportunities in San Marcos and San Antonio. Then, about almost a year ago, they were toying with the idea of moving back to the Valley.

“We were always asking should we or shouldn’t we, because all our friends and family live here. We ended up moving back and we didn’t know why. Guess now it all makes sense, the way everything happens,” said Vela.

After moving back to the Valley, he worked awhile in retail and last fall decided to try out for the Border Patrol and became an agent at the Rio Grande City Sector. Vela says he had pain during training to be an agent, but thought it was just normal pains of getting older.

“I had a huge pain on my side; I couldn’t eat and I couldn’t keep anything down. I didn’t know what was going on,” said Vela. “I called all my buddies who are doctors and nurses. Everyone was just trying to figure it out.”

After trying to tough it out over a weekend, He finally went to see a family doctor who told him that it might be his gallbladder. Vela was scheduled for surgery June 26, but he ended up in the emergency room the day before, because the pain in his side had become unbearable. Doctors diagnosed that it was Eddie’s appendix causing all the turmoil, and they went in to remove it. In the process they found a tumor.

“June 25th, it’s like a birthday because it’s a date I never forget. They found out I had cancer. I remember being in the recovery room hearing the doctors say a guy had cancer and I was thinking to myself, ‘that sucks, poor guy,’ but I was the only one that had just been in the operating room. It was me.”

Once the appendix was removed, Vela was still suffering from pain. After several trips back to the hospital, doctors were starting to think it was only his imagination and wanted to do exploratory surgery.

Vela and his family decided to go to the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

Vela describes the hospital as a ‘well oiled machine.’ He says everything was organized and the staff was helpful. The hospital ran more tests, CAT scans, EKGs and X-Rays. Once completed, Vela was ready to walk out of the hospital, but he was promptly called, notifying him that he had to go into surgery immediately. The CAT scan revealed that Vela had a tumor the size of a baseball in his transverse colon.

“The tumor was blocking the start of my large intestine to the top of my transverse colon. Basically, every time my intestines pushed they couldn’t go anywhere,” said Vela. “My intestines were getting distended and that’s where the pain was coming from. I was floored as to why it hadn’t been seen before.”

Having the tumor removed, Vela says his pain went away and he was feeling much better. However, now he had to deal with the fact that he had apendiceal cancer, a cancer so rare his chance for living could range anywhere from two to 15 years.

Raul Ayala, a childhood friend of Vela’s, who is a medical doctor in New York City, has been with Eddie through his entire struggle. He says that Eddie’s type of cancer is normally only seen in Caucasians of Irish descent.

“It’s so rare… he’s actually going to be part of a study, because researchers want to know why this is happening. He is part of the unknown,” said Ayala. “He is trying to fight and overcome something there is nothing written about, just cases, but cases aren’t concrete evidence.”

What is known about the cancer is it’s very aggressive, fast moving and unpredictable. Basically, what the cancer does is spreads and grows tumors that cause blockages everywhere. Specifically, tons of microscopic tumors spread all over the peritoneal wall, the wall that holds all the intestines together. However, once the tumors grow, they grow into the stomach cavity causing dangerous obstructions.

“The cancer is so rare they don’t even have treatment for it; it’s untreatable and incurable. It’s a cancer that scares the crap out of everybody, even doctors,” said Vela. “Doctors look at me and say, ‘I can’t believe I’m looking at you.’ It’s just that rare.”

Vela is going through chemotherapy every other Monday, and is scheduled to have a total of 12 sessions before going back to check the progress of his cancer. Eddie describes his treatments as a battle of will and something that just drains him completely.

“I start with it on Monday, but the effects don’t wear off until Friday. You’re just tired; it suppresses your appetite, which makes you even more tired. Some days I sleep 10 to 15 hours, wake up an hour then back to sleep,” he said. “It beats you up. You just have to learn how to manage it.”

Despite these challenges, Vela is able to take on a lot with his positive spirit. Looking at him, one wouldn’t think he was sick. He’s part of a bowling league, plays flag football, jogs and runs around with his son.

“He’s stronger than I could ever be,” says Brandy. “He is the strongest person I know. I don’t know how he keeps a positive attitude, but he’s done it for me and others.” Having a positive attitude has led Eddie, family and friends to not give up hope on finding a cure or treatment. He has traveled to New York to speak with specialists and has done endless research. There is a procedure that Eddie is hoping might be effective: a non-orthodox surgery called cytoreduction “debulking” surgery. This is basically going in and scraping off all the small tumors. It’s a surgery with mixed results, but has allowed some patients to live cancer free. Vela must wait until after his chemo treatments to see how the cancer has reacted before he can go through with the debulking surgery. The surgery, however, is not covered by his medical insurance, so Vela will be having a fundraiser.

He already had one surprise fundraiser that was put together by his friend Ayala and other family and friends. Together, they raised $25,000 to help Eddie’s cause so he wouldn’t have to worry about medical expenses.

“Our friends and family have been tremendous for us,” said Brandy. “I thank God every day for all those that put that fundraiser together. We are so appreciative.”

The Border Patrol also got together and donated days and weeks of their paid time off to Vela so he could have ample time to recover. Together, the agency donated a year’s worth of paid leave.

“He’s family. Border Patrol is just a huge family, taking care of our own. If it had been somebody else he would of done the same thing,” said Border Patrol Special Operations Supervisor Marshall Carrier.

Vela was so moved by the support from his family and friends, he decided to start a foundation to help those in his situation that might not have that kind of emotional or financial support.

The Faith, Family and Friends Foundation helps raise money for people with certain types of stomach cancer and Border Patrol agents who have cancer.

“We didn’t want it to be so general, because we were worried we would spread ourselves thin and only be able to help someone with 100 dollars here and there,” said Vela. “We want to be able to give a large amount of money to victims to help with medical bills, research, travel and whatever else they might to need to get better.”

Through this uncertain journey Vela has learned things about his life and himself. He wants others in his situation to realize that you have to keep moving forward and not let your life stop.

“Life isn’t over. It may hurt me at one point and it scares me half to death. There may come a time when I’ll be lying in bed with nothing left;” he pauses holding back tears. “And it’s just going to take me, but I want to know that I still did everything I hoped to do in life. That I gave my all.”

That’s why Vela says he started the foundation to help spread the message and inspire others with his story. He wants to know he has touched someone or made an impact with his family and community.

“He’s a real person, a dad, a husband and a friend. It could happen to any of us, but he shows us that there is hope,” said Agent Carrier.

As for the future, Eddie knows it is uncertain, but that won’t sway him in hoping for the best. He hopes the foundation grows and is able to help many others.

“Live in the moment,” said Eddie. “Don’t take it for it granted, unfortunately life isn’t guaranteed for anyone.”

To help raise money for his surgery and other victims, the foundation’s kickball tournament will be held Saturday Nov. 28 at the Verizon Sports Park on South Shary Rd. in Mission. The registration fee is $25.00 per person, and individuals or teams may enter.

or more information or to register, visit www.rgvsportsandsocial.com or call 580-2589.

Alton Chamber holds annual banquet, honors businesses

ALTON — The Greater Alton Chamber of Commerce honored its past, present and future last week at its third annual Alton Casino Royale Gala.

The organization, in its third year, has approximately 30 members. Officials said the mission of the organization is to continue helping businesses prosper and achieve their goals here within the city. Without the volunteer efforts of the board and some of its members, the group’s progress would be impossible, city leaders said.

Last Saturday’s event was also combined with a fundraiser for the Boys & Girls Club of McAllen Alton Unit. The money raised at the gala’s silent auction went to benefit the youth club where attendees were also asked to sponsor a child for $100.

Alton Chamber President Felipe Gomez said the group and city officials often meet with business owners to discuss the options and benefits of joining the chamber.

“We continue to grow as the city grows,” Gomez said of the chamber. “We’re thankful for the people that make this possible. We do this volunteering to promote our community and give back.”

The chamber can often act as a negotiator between the city and a big business looking to grow in Alton while promoting its existing members.

The Alton Chamber presented seven awards to individuals and businesses.

The Leadership Award went to Commissioner Ricardo Garza who has been a member of the commission for 12 years and also serves as the chairman of the Economic Development Board and serves as a member of the Metropolitan Planning Organization.

Gomez said Garza is also an active member in the Lion’s Club and volunteers at different events around the community.

“He’s provided leadership in the community,” Gomez said.

The Partnership Award was presented to Buckner Family Services for its 40 years in the city.

The Heritage Award was given to the family of the late Manuel de la Garza whose family was one of the first in Alton. He also provided the land on which San Martin de Porres Church is built.

The Future of Alton Award went to three students, Analisa Garza, Ally Perez and Marco Diaz. Gomez said the students have the best potential to succeed in the community in the future and were nominated by their schools.

Jose Muñoz, the owner of Guzman and Muñoz Engineering were awarded the Helping Hand Award for their sponsorship of city events and services for city projects.

The Pride Award was presented to Sergio Sosa for doing the “most to put the city in a good light,” Gomez said.

Business of the Year was awarded to the Mission Plaza Pharmacy.

“You all strive to do great things for our community and I encourage you to continue,” Gomez said at the gala to the award winners.

Link to John Cornyn's Facebook Gallery

Medals honor children of fallen soldiers

By Edwina P. Garza

MISSION — Children who lost a parent fighting overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan, called heroes in their own right by elected officials, were honored last week with gold medals of remembrance marking the sacrifice their family paid for the country’s freedom.

The youth, including those of Staff Sgt. Bradley Espinoza, and Sgt. Fernando de la Rosa, who both recently died fighting in Iraq, were honored at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery by the White House Commission on Remembrance.

Aida Lerma, Mission deputy city manager, who acted as the mistress of ceremonies, said the medal award is the first of its kind to honor children; casualties of fallen soldiers continue on the home front, she explained. The medal denotes optimism and high achievement. The center flame on the medal represents hope and freedom while a wreath represents honor and victory.

“These are very special gold medallions,” Lerma said. “We honor their parents who have paid the ultimate price.”

The event’s keynote speaker, Brownsville born, retired Lt. Gen. Marc Cisneros, who served in Vietnam, said thousands of soldiers often stress over the soldiers that died in battle and their own survival.

“That could be my wife, that could be my daughter,” Cisneros said of the mourners. “I wish America could see this list and see how many (fallen soldiers) are from the Valley.”

The sacrifices of the soldiers keep the United States the home of the free and brave, said U.S. Sen. John Cornyn.

"We know that every generation has produced its own heroes," Cornyn said. "This generation is no different."

The children, who are too young to understand their fathers’ death or job will learn about them later, and will look to the community to remember their sacrifice, said State Rep. Veronica Gonzales.

The soldiers buried at the state cemetery are genuine American heroes who fought for the freedom of their children, Cornyn said.
“We honor all of you who are heroes in your own right,” he added. “The medal obviously could not replace your loss…we hope they will look at this medal, hold it in their hands and remember what it means.”

The families, many wearing T-shirts with the image of their family member, approached Cornyn and Cisneros who placed the medallions around the necks of the children or family members representing the children who were unable to attend the ceremony.

The children and families of seven soldiers were honored at the ceremony. The other soldiers whose children were honored with medals included those of Cpl. Jose A. Rubio, Spc. Eric D. Salinas, Sgt. Hector R. Perez, Staff Sgt. Omar Flores and Spc. James C. Kesinger.

Espinoza’s mother, Magdalena, wept as she received her medal along with her grandchildren, Celeste and Joseph. She continued crying as the family placed a wreath at Espinoza’s gravesite.

“We will never be able to return what you’ve given us in freedom with the loss of your family,” State Rep. Ismael “Kino” Flores said.

Thanksgiving Table at Renee’s

Renee’s of Sharyland will once again be the staging area for a massive project to provide Thanksgiving dinner for approximately 2000 people, with the assistance of Palm Valley Church, the City of Mission, and many volunteers.

Tomas Tijerina, who organizes the annual event, says anyone who is unable to afford a Thanksgiving meal on Thanksgiving Day is invited to attend the event at Renee’s. However, a ticket is required for the event. Free tickets will be available at Palm Valley Church, located at 1720 E. Griffin Parkway, today and Monday through Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., while they last. Tijerina said demand is high and a limited number of tickets are available. To check on availability of tickets, call 585-3203.

Tickets are also available at Renees’s of Sharyland, located at 2600 E. Griffin Parkway.

Tijerina said the “Turkey Taxi” is being planned again this year to deliver Thanksgiving dinner to those who are homebound and living alone. To request this service, call 519-9595 or 585-3203 to make prior arrangements.

Volunteer drivers are needed for the Turkey Taxi, Tijerina said, and volunteers for serving and other duties are also welcome. To volunteer, call Palm Valley Church at 585-3203.

Schools, cities take Thanksgiving holiday

Each of the local school districts has a different schedule of holidays for Thanksgiving.

Mission CISD schools and administrative offices will be closed Wednesday, Nov. 25 through Friday, Nov. 27 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Normal schedules will resume on Monday, Nov. 30.

La Joya ISD will close schools only Thursday and Friday, Nov. 26 and 27, but Wednesday is an early release day.

Sharyland ISD will give students the entire week off, Monday through Friday, Nov. 23 – 27.

Most local city and county offices will be closed both Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving, including Mission, Alton, Palmhurst, Palmview and La Joya.

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