Jonil’s Battle for a Second Chance to Live

Last January 24, 2019 at 2AM, we found my brother, Jonil (a 42-year-old widower with one teenage daughter) suddenly having seizures. We immediately brought him to the hospital and was later diagnosed to have suffered from brain hemorrhage (Intraventricular Hemorrhage or IVH) which resulted to Hydrocephalus. Brain hemorrhage is one of the most severe of the major subtypes of stroke and can sometimes be fatal. We are just so fortunate that we were able to bring him to the hospital immediately and appropriate procedures were performed. An IV shunt (tube) was placed to relieve the pressure on his brain caused by fluid accumulation. Then, after a few days, a decompressive craniectomy was performed since the swelling of his brain did not improve despite the first procedure and medications. The doctors removed a portion of his skull and stored the piece in a pouch near his stomach, to be put back once he recovers. This procedure allowed some room for his swelled brain to expand without being squeezed as it is starting to press on his right brain. Prior to the 2^nd procedure, Jonil started coughing and began to lose focus. The result of the blood tests indicated that he has infection in his blood (sepsis), lungs (pneumonia) and urinary tract (UTI). We were brokenhearted by the news and started to worry even more. He has been suffering from high fever, chills, and severe coughing since then. He is sleeping most of the time due to the high dosages of medicines that he’s getting. In moments that he is awake, his eyes speak to us as if saying that he is fighting this battle not only for himself but for us and most especially for his daughter.

We want to give Jonil a good fighting chance to win this battle. His hospital bills have accumulated to Php 1.5MM (~USD30,000) and continues to increase daily. On top of this, we must buy his medicines and supplies daily which ranges from Php10,000 to Php30,000 (~USD200-USD600). This seemingly insurmountable challenge is already taking its toll to our family financially. We have been exhausting our resources and any financial help from our relatives and friends but unfortunately the need keeps piling up. Late last year, my eldest sister, our family’s breadwinner, was diagnosed with myelopathy because of a cervical spine problem. She had to undergo surgery immediately, so she won’t end up paralyzed. This costed us a huge amount of money as well. Now a couple of months after, my brother suffered stroke. All our funds and savings have been depleted. We don’t know where to seek help anymore. However, our faith in the Lord keeps us going.

We are here with a heavy heart and reaching out to your generosity to help us fight with Jonil as he struggles to fight for a second chance to live for his daughter and family. This fund-raising account was set-up by me, Azalea Francisco Delena, Jonil’s sister, to help my family raise funds for him. Our family thanks you in advance for any help you will be giving my brother. We pray for you and your family’s good health and happiness. May God bless you a hundredfold.