‘Tears of happiness’
Woman finds creative spark through tragedy
As Porterville residents gathered last weekend to show their support for the battle against cancer in the annual Relay for Life event, we are reminded that the struggle against the disease often reveals the hidden strengths and talents of those it has affected. This is the story of how one Porterville mother emerged from personal tragedy through creativity, and became an artist and inspiration to others.
“People who go through a cancer journey hurt, and it’s difficult. I became an artist because it was good therapy. A lot of people look at crying as a weakness, but it’s not. Today I cry tears of happiness because I’m excited and happy,” Sanchez said.
Sanchez has embraced her creative ability to persevere through a difficult time in her life, and she hopes that by sharing her story and her artwork that others who are facing similar challenges will pursue their own passions and, in doing so, find strength and comfort.
In 2003, Naomi Sanchez’s son, Guillermo Cordero, was diagnosed with a medulloblastoma tumor — a type of brain tumor that occurs in infants and young children — on the fourth ventricle of his brain. He was nine months old. He underwent an eight-hour surgery to remove the tumor, and began receiving chemotherapy treatment at Valley Children’s Hospital. Sanchez recalls fondly how well she and her son were treated by VCH during the difficult process.
It was the beginning of twoyear long struggle for the family, filled with highs and lows. Guillermo’s initial treatment was a success, and he went from being featured as a medical miracle by local media after the success of the initial operation at VCH, to beginning the struggle anew when his tumor returned on his second birthday.
This time, he received radiation treatment at the UC San Francisco for six weeks, and Sanchez was told that her son might not walk again due to the intensity of the procedures. But Guillermo once again defied the odds, and after two treatments he was not
only walking, but running up and down the halls of their home. He had seemingly beaten cancer a second time.
Guillermo’s cancer went into remission, and he got back to being the “sweet, generous little boy” who would help his mother collect soda tabs to donate to the Ronald Mcdonald House. He even had an appointment scheduled to have the port that was inserted into his chest for treatment removed.
But the fight against cancer had left him vulnerable, and Guillermo passed away on July 22, 2006 after complications from bronchitis.
In the aftermath of her son’s passing, Sanchez wrestled with her grief while continuing with her life, which included going back to school and raising her daughter Ashley. She picked up crocheting as a hobby to relax after long days, and was surprised where the journey led.
“I started out with simple things. A scarf led to a beanie, a beanie led to a blanket, and little by little the projects just started growing,” said Sanchez. “As I continued, I began to get better — amazingly better. I realized that this is literally art.”
She met a fellow crochet enthusiast who could turn photographs into detailed crochet patterns. At the recommendation of her daughter and niece, Sanchez’s first attempt was to crochet a picture of Lana Del Rey.
“Nobody taught me how to actually do it. I just got the picture and started going. By the time I was done I sat back and said ‘Oh my God, I did it,’” she said. Naomi Sanchez had found her passion.
She began making crochet pictures of celebrities, NFL logos, and even a replica photo of Guillermo and her daughter Ashley — each project more complex than the one before.
“After doing a few pieces, I thought about doing one for Valley Children’s Hospital. What a wonderful way to remember and honor Guillermo and his courageous battle,” said Sanchez.
She was contemplating what the subject should be for her Valley Children’s Hospital project, when suddenly she was struck with the perfect idea.
“I’m thrilled to be a Raiders fan, and I’m so happy we have Derek Carr as our quarterback. Then when I learned he was a huge supporter of Valley Children’s Hospital, it literally made me cry,” she said.
So Sanchez set out to honor the memory of Guillermo, the hospital that cared for him, and a local hero and ambassador in one project. She contacted the Valley Children’s Hospital Foundation with the idea, and they were eager to receive the donation. Sanchez delivered the work in person to the hospital on Friday.
The intricate crocheted portrait of Carr contains 42,640 individual stitches, dozens of skeins of yarn and hundreds of hours of hard work. The piece will auctioned off by the hospital, and the proceeds will be used by the hospital in Guillermo’s memory.
“It’s going to be a beautiful, inspiring thing,” said Sanchez. “Whatever amount it makes for the hospital, my heart and soul is happy knowing that I made it and donated it in remembrance of my son and in honor of his courageous battle.”