Cristina "Mandy" Fuentes, from
Leredo, Texas, a retired female boxer who fought from 2010 until
2019, having close to 30 fights as a pro, competing with many of
the prominent female boxers female boxers in the sport, tells
her "Behind the Scenes" of one of the greatest fights of her
life along with her husband and family. She writes the
following:
On August 17, 2019, was the
last time I heard the bell ring. The last time I was able to
smell the fresh leather. The last time I laced up. The last time
my husband and I were in the ring together….Just like a fight
not expecting a hard punch hurting me is what occurred but in
real life. Cristina "Mandy"
Fuentes
On October 31, 2019 my husband called
me and told me he was admitted to the ER of University Hospital
in San Antonio, Texas. At the time we were living apart.
Arriving from a two hour drive (Laredo, TX) I walk in his room.
Nurses and doctors were treating him and getting his analysis
done rapidly. Throughout the night waiting for the results had
us feeling nervous like the night before fight day. Then the
following morning my husband and I received the most terrible
news. Doctors revealed he had stage 4 liver cancer.
Speechless
and silence was our reaction, as tears started drowning our
face. I couldn’t find the words to comfort him. I couldn’t find
a way to cheer him up. The only way I did was to lay by his
side. As I watched him sleep I couldn’t help but to cry all
night long.
I asked God just to comfort us and to give us
strength. According to the medical staff he was only given three
months to live. That hard punch I was talking about totally
damaged us. But as the fighter he was in the ring and out like
myself we were born to fight and trained to win.
Our journey of
a bittersweet chapter had just begun. Within a couple of months
of his harsh aggressive treatments doctors once again gave us
news we didn’t want to hear. They mentioned we were not able to
start a family of our own because of the harsh conditions Eddie
was experiencing and aggressive chemo treatments. Another
knockdown had the both of us very hurt; the faith was never
lost, we’ve kept our faith so strong that within time I found
out I was pregnant at three months!
So we began to celebrate his
existence growing in my belly and his arrival. As Eddie kept his
treatments going and fighting along the way, I admired him so
much staying strong throughout that time then our son had just
turned one year old. Eddie was the happiest father that ever
existed. He had his beautiful daughter and finally had his boy
that we all prayed for, that will continue to carry his name.
As
time went on, the fight was still going stronger we kept
standing until May of 2021. Heart wrecking that this was the
final round. The medical staff united as one and told me Mrs.
Ramirez, Eduardo fought as much as he could.
They decided to
discharge us so Eddie can finally be at home. I completely
agreed because that’s what he desired was to leave home
peacefully. As I mentioned okay take us home we live in Laredo,
Texas. The medical staff went ahead and said I don’t think it’ll
be possible for Mr. Ramirez to make it even past San Antonio. I
look at the nurse and I told her he’s a strong fighter I know he
will. So we were finally released.
My mother-in-law told me,
“Mija you go first, take my car and get the house ready. I’ll
stay with my son.” I left beforehand to suit up our home and get
everything ready for his arrival. As I finally sat down,
speaking to his hospice nurse she mentioned three things he only had
the ability to hear, he wasn’t able to produce tears nor saliva.
Shortly after she left he was finally outside.
Once he was
brought inside our home I told him MI VIDA WERE HOME.
Miraculously, I saw he was shedding tears. He was finally home.
This was the last of the final round. We had our close family
boxing members and loved ones share our last moments with him.
As soon as our family departed. I had the most incredible
bittersweet imitate moment with him. I shared our memories, our
fights, pictures of our beautiful babies and family. Lastly I
had to do what I never imagined I’d do so soon. I had to let him
go. As I laid my head on his chest I told him we’ll be fine and
I will always love you. He always used to tell me TRUE LOVE
NEVER DIES Amor even when I’m gone I will always love you. Yes
LOVE IS LIKE THE AIR I may not see it but I can sure still feel
his love. Life has taught me how to live my life with full of
love and happiness because just like a boxing fight we never
know when it’ll be our last.
Now I am living my life happily for him and myself. I am working
at the best company ever in Texas H-E-B. I truly love where I
work and my future goals is to grow with this awesome company.
As I promised Eddie I will take care of us as much as I can.
Blessings pouring into my life. God showed no matter how hard
life gets he is always there and will always provide. I will be
forever grateful. Moral of my bittersweet love fighting tale.
Never give up on your dreams, never give in to your doubts, and
lastly never stop punching. Glory to GOD he gave me so many
difficult tribulations to overcome but with walking by faith not
by sight he made everything possible at his own timing. God is
GREAT AND ALWAYS ON TIME.
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