Delia Guebara Owens
DELIA GUEBARA OWENS, was born on December 3, 1961 in Houston, TX and passed away on February 27, 2009 in Houston, TX due to complications from primary biliary cirrhosis. She is survived by her loving husband of 11 years, Timothy Owens; children Oscar Guebara, Henry Guebara, Elizabeth Coker and Jamie Owens; granddaughter Rebekkah Coker; mother Pauline Gamez and stepfather Willie Gamez; brothers Joe and Jerry Guebara, Joe Arredondo; sisters Jane Gilbreath, Bessie Mulholland, Linda Reichert, Sophie Ontiveros, Antonia Guebara Dora Lozano, and Val Guebara; and numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be at 5:00 P.M., Thursday, March 5, 2009 at Lindale Assembly of God, located at 503 Reid St., Houston, TX 77022. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Houston Hospice at 1905 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030 or at www.houstonhospice.org.

Free

DON'T grieve for me, for now I'm free.
I'm following the path God laid for me.
I took his hand when I heard him call.
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day,
to laugh, to work or to play.
Task left undone must stay that way.
I found that place at the close of the day.

If my parting has left a void,
then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh a kiss,
ah yes, these things, I too will miss.
Be not burdend with times of sorrow.
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life's been full, I savored much.
Good friends, good times, a loved one's touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief,
don't lengthen it now with undo grief.
Lift up your hearts and share it with me,
God wanted me now,
He set me free.

Other Ways To Donate

FOR CASH AND CHECK DONATIONS, PLEASE DONATE AT WASHINGTON MUTUAL BANK. CHECKS NEED TO BE MADE PAYABLE TO OSCAR GUEBARA FBO DELIA OWENS.

ROUTING NUMBER: 111993776
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 4220834330

Updates

As of right now mom is now at Hospice care and things are not good. I just wish that his was all a dream and that I would wake up soon. I am so glad that I have the family that I have, everyone has been so good at understanding moms last wishes. We have been taking turns staying with mom that last couple of day and I know its been tough on all of us but thank you everyone. Mom you have always been there for everyone and now everyone is therefor you. I see Tex everyday and thank god for giving my mom a good strong angel to look over her and her children. Tex you are a wonderful and loving man and I thank you so much for taking such great care of my mom and my sisters, I just wish that I could change all of this so that you could still have mom here with you, but I know she knows you will do a great job keeping things together. Like I told you before I just wish you would have made a move many years ago......

Mom we love you......

Friday Night

At this time mom has been in a private room where the family can spend time with her,if she continues to stay stable we will need to start looking at taking her home. Mom has stayed strong this long and I think god for each day he give us here on out. Thank you to all friends and family who have come to visit, your prayer are appreciated.

Erica's Note

This all surpassing power is from God and not from us, we are hard pressed on every side but not crushed, perplexed but not in despair, persecuted but not abandoned, struck but not destroyed.
2 Cor 4:7-9

FRIDAY

They stared palliative care today @ 2:00pm, at this time mom is breathing on her own and they are giving her pain medicine. God please be with my mom and take care of her.

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. (Isaiah 41:10)


Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27)

Thursday Night Update

I just got back from the hospital a couple of hours ago, and I'm having to deal with the fact that my mom was taken off the donor list. The doctors feel that there is nothing more that they can do for her, and tomorrow at around 9am, they will take her off the machines and she will be in palliative care. The doctors say that they have seen patients pass in an hour, a few hours, a day, or maybe even in weeks. They will keep her comfortable by giving her morphine for pain and just Tylenol for fever. Nothing will be given for infections or anything of the sort. If something goes wrong, no matter when, they will not resuscitate her. Only God can give us the miracle we have been asking for. There is still hope that she will wake up, and if she does then they will start the process all over again. If not, and if she is ready to go, then at least we know she will not be suffering and she will be in a better place.

Today's Scripture

"…the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were" (Romans 4:17, NIV)

Thursday

Today could be the saddest day of my life. I got the call at 4:23pm from Henry telling me that there going to send mom home. They can no longer do anything for her, she has been removed from the list. I just don't get it.......Why her, how can this happen to one of the best people in my life. I would trade places with her any day. I will never give up on the chance of her making a recovery. Mom you are the women of my life there will be no other like you, my love for you will always be......We still don't know where we are going to take her, I just hope we can take her home with us.

Weds.

Today Henry and I went to visit mom. We got there a little late today. Moms feet were falling off the bed so Henry and I asked the nurse to help us move her and make her a little more comfortable. Henry noticed that one of moms eyes were following him as he moved around the room. So we started talking to her and it seemed like she could see, so Henry told her if she could hear us if so to try moving her head. I asked her if she could hear me and it look as if she shook her head no, I then asked her if she could see me and she moved her mouth like she was trying to say yes. Henry and I talked about it and I told him I just feel that she can see us but doesn't know how to tell us. Tomorrow I have a little something I want to try, I will let you guys know what happens.

Monday

It was the same old thing today not much has changed. I just wish that something good would happen soon. I will try to write in here a little more often to keep you guys updated.

Thoughts

Today started out good, I felt that things would get better.....
I think I have just made myself believe that mom is OK and she will get better soon. As the day went on and I was shopping for food, I found myself reaching for the phone to call mom(something I would do when I was out and about), and the reality of everything really hit me and I realized that I might never have that opportunity again. I just don't know what I would do if I never get to speak to her and have her tell me that everything is going to be OK. I remember so many times when I was having a bad day, I would call mom and it would just make my day so much better. She was always so understanding when it came to us kids and our crazy lives. I felt so lucky to have a mom that was cool and just there for you when you needed anything, even as she continued to get sicker and sicker. She would never want to tell me the truth so I would have to go to Tex (TIM) and get the entire truth. She always had to be the strong one and I look at her now and know that she is still doing the same. I have never in my life, met anyone that has been so strong and it makes me proud to call her my mom. I thank GOD everyday for such a wonderful MOM.

Mom,
Thank you for giving up your youth and caring for US. You wooo me....Mom.
God,
Thank you for giving my mom the best mate and Husband any one could have asked for. He has been the foundation to a new beginning.

So I stopped by the hospital today and they had to do another banding, so mom was out of it. They made everyone wear gloves and gowns before going in. I hated that cuz I couldn't touch her skin to skin. It kills me everytime I walk in that room and see her lying there in pain. Lord please make things get better.

Oscar

Hepatic Encephalopathy

This is why mom was taken in to Hospital.

Hepatic encephalopathy (portal-systemic encephalopathy, liver encephalopathy, hepatic coma) is deterioration of brain function that occurs because toxic substances normally removed by the liver build up in the blood and reach the brain.

• Hepatic encephalopathy may be triggered by an alcohol binge, a drug, or another stress in people who have a long-standing liver disorder.
• People become confused, disoriented, and drowsy, with changes in personality, behavior, and mood.
• Doctors base the diagnosis on results of a physical examination, electroencephalography, and blood tests.
• Eliminating the trigger and reducing protein in the diet may help symptoms resolve.

Substances absorbed into the bloodstream from the intestine pass through the liver, where toxins are normally removed. Many of these toxins are normal breakdown products of the digestion of protein. In hepatic encephalopathy, toxins are not removed because liver function is impaired. Also, some toxins may bypass the liver altogether through connections formed between the portal venous system (which supplies blood to the liver) and the general (systemic, or body-wide) venous system as a result of liver disease and portal hypertension. A surgical bypass (portal-systemic shunt) to correct portal hypertension may have the same effect. Whatever the cause, the outcome is the same: Toxins can reach the brain and affect its function. Exactly which substances are toxic to the brain is not known. However, high levels of protein breakdown products in the blood, such as ammonia, appear to play a role.

In a person with a long-standing (chronic) liver disorder, encephalopathy is usually triggered by an event such as an acute infection or an alcoholic binge, which increases liver damage. Or encephalopathy may be triggered by eating too much protein, which increases the levels of protein breakdown products in the blood. Bleeding in the digestive tract, such as bleeding from dilated, twisted veins in the esophagus (esophageal varices), can also lead to a buildup of protein breakdown products, which may directly affect the brain. Dehydration, an electrolyte imbalance, and certain drugs—especially some sedatives, analgesics, and diuretics—may also trigger encephalopathy. When such a trigger is eliminated, the encephalopathy may disappear.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Symptoms are those of decreased brain function, especially reduced alertness and confusion. In the earliest stages, subtle changes appear in logical thinking, personality, and behavior. The person's mood may change, and judgment may be impaired. Normal sleep patterns may be disturbed. At any stage of encephalopathy, the person's breath may have a musty sweet odor. As the disorder progresses, the hands cannot be held steady when the person stretches out the arms, resulting in a crude flapping motion of the hands (asterixis). Also, the person usually becomes drowsy and confused, and movements and speech become sluggish. Disorientation is common. Uncommonly, a person with encephalopathy becomes agitated and excited. Seizures are also uncommon. Eventually, the person may lose consciousness and lapse into a coma.

An electroencephalogram (EEG) (see Diagnosis of Brain, Spinal Cord, and Nerve Disorders: Electroencephalography) may help in diagnosing early encephalopathy. Even in mild cases, an EEG shows abnormal slowing of brain waves. Blood tests usually show abnormally high levels of ammonia, but measuring the level is not always a reliable way to diagnose encephalopathy.

In an older person, hepatic encephalopathy may be more difficult to recognize in its early stages because its initial symptoms (such as disturbed sleep patterns and mild confusion) may be attributed to dementia or erroneously labeled as delirium (see Delirium and Dementia: Introduction).

Treatment

A doctor looks for and tries to eliminate any triggers for the encephalopathy, such as an infection or a drug. A doctor also tries to eliminate toxic substances from the intestines, usually by restricting the person's diet. Protein is reduced or eliminated from the diet, and oral or intravenous carbohydrates serve as the main source of calories. Later, a doctor may increase the amount of vegetable protein (such as soy protein) rather than animal protein, to provide adequate protein without worsening the encephalopathy. The higher fiber content of a vegetable diet tends to speed up the passage of food through the intestine and alter the acidity in the intestine, thereby helping reduce absorption of ammonia. A synthetic sugar ( lactulose Some Trade Names
CEPHULAC
CHRONULAC
), taken by mouth, has similar beneficial effects: It alters the acidity of the intestine, and acts as a laxative, speeding up the passage of food. Cleansing enemas also may be given. Occasionally, a person who has difficulty tolerating lactulose Some Trade Names
CEPHULAC
CHRONULAC
is given an antibiotic by mouth.

With treatment, hepatic encephalopathy is frequently reversible. In fact, complete recovery is possible, especially if the encephalopathy was triggered by a reversible cause. However, people with a chronic liver disorder are susceptible to future episodes of encephalopathy. In up to 80% of people in a coma due to acute liver inflammation, the disorder is fatal despite intensive treatment.

Primary Biliary Cirrhosis "PBC"

This is te type of Cirrhosis Mom has.

Primary biliary cirrhosis is a disease in which the bile ducts in your liver are slowly destroyed. Your body has an intricate system of ducts designed specifically to transport bile, a fluid produced in your liver. Bile is essential for the proper digestion of fats and helps rid your body of worn-out red blood cells, cholesterol and potentially toxic metals. In primary biliary cirrhosis, the destruction of your bile ducts can cause harmful substances to build up in your liver and sometimes lead to irreversible scarring of liver tissue (cirrhosis).

The cause of primary biliary cirrhosis remains unclear. Many experts consider primary biliary cirrhosis an autoimmune disease in which the body turns against its own cells, although it's likely that genetic and environmental factors also play a part. Primary biliary cirrhosis develops slowly. Medication can slow the progression of the disease, especially if treatment begins early.

Causes

The exact cause of primary biliary cirrhosis isn't known, but it appears to be an immune system disorder that slowly destroys the bile ducts in your liver. Genetics and the environment also may play a role in this disease.

An immune system disorder?
Most evidence suggests that primary biliary cirrhosis is an immune system disorder. The initial inflammation begins with T lymphocytes (T cells) — white blood cells that normally recognize and help defend against bacteria and fungi. T cells invade and destroy the epithelial cells lining the small bile ducts. The T cells also produce chemicals that stimulate the epithelial cells to secrete proteins that attract more T cells, thereby creating an ongoing cycle of damage.

This is a classic autoimmune scenario — a case in which the body's immune system turns against its own cells. But not everything about primary biliary cirrhosis is classic. For one thing, it rarely occurs in children, even though autoimmune disorders often begin in childhood. For another, unlike most autoimmune diseases, primary biliary cirrhosis doesn't usually respond to drugs that suppress the immune system. For these and other reasons, researchers suspect that other factors play a part in the disease, such as:

Genetics. Primary biliary cirrhosis isn't transmitted from parent to child and so isn't considered a hereditary disease. Yet because it seems to run in families, researchers suspect that some people may inherit certain immune system defects that make them more susceptible to the disorder. Other immune system genes may play a role in disease progression.

Risk factors

The following factors may increase the risk of primary biliary cirrhosis:

• Your sex. More than 90 percent of people with primary biliary cirrhosis are women. Immune system disorders in general affect far more women than men, but the reason for this isn't known.
• Your age. Most people diagnosed with primary biliary cirrhosis are 35 to 60 years old. Although older adults can develop the disease, it is rare in children.
• Family history. Primary biliary cirrhosis isn't hereditary, but having a family member with the disease increases your risk.

Early Days

Here are some old pictures that we found and wanted to share with you guys.

Reason For This Blog

At this time, our family is going through a very difficult situation. To some, Mrs. Delia Owens, is not only a Mom, but also a Daughter, Sister, Aunt, Grandmother, Wife. This is a blog that has been set up so that family and friends can share their thoughts, prayers, or whatever is on their mind. Please check back periodically as updates will be made in regard to her status and also on the upcoming benefit that is in the works.

She enjoyed life to the fullest