Our Stories
Matthew’s experimental chemotherapy began with a ten-day treatment while attached to an IV 24/7. Nick and I never left Matthew alone, and it was heartbreaking to hear other children crying, getting their treatments alone because their parents were unable to stay. To prevent babies from pulling out their IVs, nurses strapped them to their beds. When we had time to sleep, Nick would put two chairs together, nurses would bring us blankets, and we would take turns sleeping. Sometimes, Nick would sleep on the floor near Matthew’s bed. After the staff realized we were not leaving him alone, they were more accommodating, even allowing me to shower in the nurses’ quarters. On Sundays, my parents would come and stay with Matthew while we went home to comfort our other three children.
The Power to Give By Connie Hernández Cofounder Ronald McDonald House
There was a time when it was almost impossible to stay overnight at most hospitals with your seriously ill baby; a time your seriously ill child would have to be alone, without a parent to respond to their cries for help. There was a time when there wasn’t a Ronald McDonald House in San Diego; a home away from home for families to spend the nights close to their children and to comfort them. Let me share how that changed. In 1976, my loving husband Nick and I had our fourth child, a beautifu baby boy named Matthew. According to the Bible, Matthew means “Gift from God”, and at only four months of age he had brought so much joy to our family. One night, Matthew had what we thought was a cold. As I stroked his tiny back, a chill came over me. “He is really sick!” We both agreed Matthew should see his pediatrician. That visit turned into one horrific day. We drove to Children’s Hospital and heard a heartbreaking diagnosis—our baby had leukemia. It was rare for a baby to have this blood disorder. The prognosis was not good—Matthew would not live to celebrate his first birthday.
Nick Hernández and son Matthew, March 1976 (Photo courtesy Connie Hernández Family Archives)
After four and a half months, we lost the battle.
On December 18, 1976, a week before Christmas, our precious Matthew took his last breath.
Connie Hernández and son Matthew, 1976 (Photo courtesy Connie Hernández Family Archives)
Nick and I went through unspeakable grief yet we had to remain strong for our other children. The tragedy brought our family even closer together. Each of us had our manner of dealing with loss. For us, it was responding to a call from Irma Gusfield, our social worker at Children’s Hospital. She needed our help to form a parents’ support group.
Matthew with siblings Nicholas and Clarissa, April 1976 (Photo courtesy Connie Hernández Family Archives)
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San Diego Latino Legacy – Timeline • Milestones • Stories
Chapter 6 – Perseverance
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