headed back to Tucson

I was in Mexico City for about six hours by the time Francisco and I arrived to Chon's, a restaurant famous for its pre-columbian food located in the centro historico. The meal was a celebration of my birthday and my arrival, which was to pay thanks to La Virgen for her support during chemotherapy.

I'm not sure how it came up, but at some point Francisco told me that Consuelo is in a coma. I was shocked.

Suddenly I understood why I hadn't from heard from her. I'd sent text messages and called her throughout January and early February but I haven't heard from Consuelo since the holidays -- I think New Years Day, to be precise.

Last week, when Nate and I were having dinner, I asked if he had heard from her. It was the same with him.

When Francisco told me, I fought the urge to cry at the table. He knew how I'd take it and didn't want to be the one to break the news.

The next morning we rose around 7 a.m. and made our way to the basilica to make good on our manda, thank la Virgen and offer up new prayers.

When I returned to the United States on Sunday night, Nate picked me up at LAX. I told him what I'd learned almost immediately. He placed a call to Tucson and was told what I had learned a few nights earlier.

So we're headed to Tucson this weekend to see Consuelo.

In the meantime, a mass at the basilica in Mexico City will be said in her name. And from my trip to thank La Virgen, I brought back something for Consuelo's recovery.

Hopefully next year Consuelo and I will head to Mexico City to thank La Virgen for the recovery of another cancer survivor.