Searching...

No results found. Please try modifying your search.

My sister’s name is Samantha DeLano, formerly Samantha Penuelas.

In 1991 she was born with a disease called Cystic Fibrosis. Of no fault of her own, her life would never be like mine, or most Americans. This disease has no cure and will eventually take the life of everyone who has it – way before their life would naturally come to close. In ages past, and as recently as the 1980’s people afflicted with Cystic Fibrosis (CF henceforth) would lose their battle with the disease usually before they became an adult. With the advent of recent treatments and developments, CF patients have begun to live longer lives, but are still haunted with the specter that CF casts over them.

Updates (4)

November 6, 2021

Hello all, I just wanted to come on here and comment that I am beyond appreciative of all the love and support you all have shown me! I am truly touched. As of November 5th, 2021, I no longer have a job as my employer let me go due to me transitioning to Long Term Disability. It's very unfortunate and sadly, being on Long Term Disability does not guarantee my job, nor does it legally require my employer to hold my position. They are a business after all and tried to work with me as best as they could, but unfortunately, due to the needs of the business, my role could no longer be vacant and they needed a replacement as we just don't know how long I am expected to be out of work. It was a blessing and I am very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work there as long as I did. I'm not sure where my journey is headed, but I know that I will continue to undergo treatments until I can be finally cleared to return to work. I am trusting in the Lord that this is all a part of the plan for me and He has something better lined up. I will see this through to the end, and trust in Him. Thank you for all of your love and understanding as I continue to navigate through this.

-Sam

August 12, 2021

Hello everyone! It's me, Sam. This has been a hard journey and I often forget just how complicated things are until I see it from someone else's eyes. My brother, Carlos, updated my bio and honestly, it brought me to tears. I'm always so hard on myself and force myself to push through no matter what. It's just who I am. I was raised to never accept any excuses and to keep looking ahead. It is that mindset that has given me a blind strength I often forget I possess. I find it so hard to trust anyone and I despise the thought that I need help and can't do it on my own. It's such a humiliation and failure - I know I shouldn't be hard on myself, but I can't escape it. It's like the movie about Cystic Fibrosis, Five Feet Apart. One of the main character's name is Will. He is rebellious and often morbid about this disease, but he speaks what we all feel at times, but as the movie progresses, we see that Will is just scared and sorry that his body betrayed him. At one point, after receiving a new therapy drug meant to help save him, he and the medical staff discover it is not working for him and he is going to die since they have exhausted all other options. All he can muster up is, "I'm sorry." - as if somehow this disease is our fault. It truly broke my heart to the core because that is how I feel all the time - I'm sorry. I'm sorry my body continues to fight me and try and take me. By the grace of God, I haven't given up or lost hope. Often times, I pray for myself to let go and just trust His process, and then I bury it again. Because the reality is, if I let if come to the surface everyday, it would swallow me whole. I don't mean to worry anyone or try and gain "sympathy" and make you feel sorry for me. That isn't and never will be what I want. I just want people to understand that I really do try and make the most of my life and be independent and productive, but sometimes, life has other plans and I hit setbacks. I'm putting it all out there to truly show people what it's like for me. All I can hope is that you can understand and get a glimpse into my life. If you want to share my story, I am all right with that. And if you find it in your heart to donate, no amount of appreciation or thanks can ever be enough, but I will cherish it all for as long as I am here. Thank you.

Photo Galleries (3)

Loading Images

Guestbook

December 3, 2021

Glad we met! Hope to hear from you/see you again soon.

Bryan Preston

September 15, 2021

We love you Sam Sam ❤️❤️

Evelyn Maldonado

August 31, 2021

May God Bless and heal you in Jesus name. Amen

Debra A. Rodelo