FRIDAY, JANUARY 09, 2009 08:26 AM, CST
Frank read his own and added a bit too his like how Diego would at playtime say OK Daddy I'm a lion and you are a lamb!

This is what I wrote to be read for me at the Memorial:


My words will never convey the love I have for Diego. From the moment you were in my belly I loved you. On the day you were born I realized an incredible new kind of love and I wept with joy as I held you for the first time. You made us a family as our first born child. We never knew the love and joy that you would bring. From the very beginning you loved being held and would gaze endlessly into my eyes as I nursed you or held you in my arms. Your favorite place was laying on Mommy or Daddy's chest. As you learned new things we were always amazed. I was always so protective of you. I felt uncomfortable when you were not at my side. I could not wait for Daddy to get home to tell him all we did that day and share anything new you did. As you got older your favorite place was still our chest. Always full of hugs, kisses and I love you's throughout the day. You had to cuddle for at least a half hour every morning. The simplest things amazed you like an insect or squirrel. During our Make-A-Wish trip besides seeing his best buddy Justice and family Diego's favorite things were going to Gatorland and petting a baby crocodile, finding a baby lizard at Disneyworld and the raccoon that came to our porch and found the half eaten cookie that Lilia left on the rocking chair and came to the window and gave him high fives. You loved going for walks and talking. When Lilia was born Diego instantly fell in love with her. He never let her out of his sight. The day at the park when Lilia was old enough to sit I took her out of her sling and put her on a blanket. A little boy came to look at Lilia and you got right between them with your with legs and arms out and said, NO!! That is my sister. I told you it was OK and you said no it is not! As she started venturing off the blanket you were never far behind. When she was walking you always made sure the kids she was playing with were nice before you went to play with your friends. Diego cherished his friends and family. At the grocery store Diego would remind me to buy Daddy's tea or Lilia's favorite snack. He knew your favorites and always had an entertaining and endearing story to tell about you too. When you asked if he had a sister the answer was much more than yes. Diego would talk about how silly or crazy she was and add a story that that proved it. He loved to laugh and his big belly laugh was so contagious. Diego also would do anything to make you laugh. He had this wit about that was very mature. He would catch adults off guard with his wit and humor. Diego loved going to the park and playing in the wading pools. He also loved to learn. He seemed to have an encyclopedia in his head. Diego loved learning everything possible about animals and dinosaurs. He then would teach you about them and quiz you. When we found out Diego had cancer just before his 3rd birthday it was really hard on him at first. He did not like the hospital, but later learned to have fun there too although he always wanted to be home. He met a special friend Pandie. She was the resident therapy dog. A tiny little black and white pomeranian. Pandie would do a few tricks but Diego just wanted to give her cheerios. He always ordered a box just for her on Wednesday. Pandie soon had a little sister Bella Trix. Diego loved hearing about how crazy she was and when he met he reminded her of his own sister. Once Diego was home from the hospital he was 98% of the time his energetic self. We found a park in Long Beach called Pan Am where there was hardly anyone else there and his friends joined us unless they were sick. We had had Sea World passes and went many times. We lived everyday to the fullest. Diego also loved school and his teachers. He was so motivated to learn that he was reading 3 and 4 letter words at 4 and a half. Mrs. Moons cool animal beanie babies were a great motivation as well. He was so proud of his work at school. When Diego relapsed and lost his arm I was a little worried how he would handle it. Dr. Femino the surgeon said I know Diego, he will do very well. Boy was he right. Diego had a sense of freedom like never before. We all fell in love with his little arm and were amazed at how much it could do. Unfortunately the amputation only extended Diego's life rather than saving it but his quality of life was great. The Saturday before Diego died the intensivist Dr wanted him to try a high flow nasal cannula. Diego wanted to go to the coffee shop and get a brownie. He tried the cannula and hated it. It was bigger and had too much air pressure. We left the room to talk to the Dr outside the door and he told the respiratory therapist look this is what is going to happen. I am going to the coffee shop first. Then when we come back up I will try the cannula on without the air. Then you can slowly turn it up and I will tell you if I like it or not. The therapist came out, told us and said wow, I feel dumb! That is exactly how I should of done it! We were all laughing. In the end we lost Diego. We told him in his last hour it was OK to rest. That he did not have to fight anymore. That Jesus was waiting for him and we too would be there one day. He said I want to fight. Right before he took his last breath he let out a final dinosaur roar. Just as he did every time he was sedated. I told him go to sleep, we are here. You are OK. We love you. Diego taught us so much and gave so much in his five years 1 months and 12 days. His spirit and strength gave us no choice but to be strong and spirited. Diego lives within our souls and hearts forever.







SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 2009 07:12 PM, CST
This is another piece I wrote to be read. A few words were left out when read. See previous posts for our personal memories.


Special Thank You From the Fuentes Family

We were surrounded by the most incredible people through most of our cancer journey. We will never forget those of you who were right by our side. Everyone who prayed, brought food and donated money and gifts. It really meant more than you could ever imagine. Parkcrest Preschool you guys surrounded us in love which extended into the church. Sandy Moons and Christa Chavez for the Diego Fund and so much more. Also special thank you to my cousin Kelly who works at Drive Savers and made our slideshow possible by getting the pictures out of the hard drive. I would be lost without our photos. Our parents who were there at a moments notice.

Dr. Calderwood for being so compassionate and honest. He truly cared for Diego and our family from the start . Dr. Femino or as Diego called him, Dr. for Nemo who was with us from the beginning and gently broke the news that our son had cancer on a Friday at 7 PM and has us set up to see a Dr. in Long Beach on Monday morning. Diego and us trusted you every step of the way. We will never forget how you stayed through our sons 15 hour surgery that we thought would be 4-6 hours and gave us updates long after your 2 hour part was over. Then you met us at 2 am in the PICU to tell us he would be fine. Dr. Sato also for being so compassionate and brilliant. You stood by us never giving up on Diego. Going to bat for us as if Diego was your child and putting up with his poop talk. Sarcoma patients at City of Hope are so blessed to have you as their Dr and Sarcoma patients around the world to have you working in the field trying to find a cure for this rare and aggressive disease. Child Life at Miller Children's Hospital really taught us how to cope and help Diego every step of the way. Child life at City of Hope for making sure we were all OK. The nurses at Miller Children's Hospital and City of Hope, you guys are the most amazing people on this earth. Social Workers at Miller Children's Linda and Tammi, always there to listen and help. We really needed that. Valerie you pulled out all the stops. You are awesome. Amy, we hold you dear. You always seemed to be around when we needed to see a familiar face, especially the last day. So many other Dr's that were so kind and caring. We could of never made it without you all. Words are not enough to express our gratitude.