A lifetime of chronic kidney disease

Fundraising campaign by Karen BC

by Karen BC

Quezon City, ph

Homer Galido is only 48 years old. He was diagnosed with adult onset diabetes (type 2) when he was 21. In 2016, he suffered a stroke, but he was able to continue working until last Nov 2017, when he was separated. He has been deteriorating slowly from the stroke and from severe diabetes that has been causing microvascular complications: eye, kidney and nerve disease.

In June of this year, he had to undergo emergency dialysis. He is currently suffering from chronic kidney disease stage 5 (CKD5) due to his diabetes, and now dialysis is required three times a week. He also receives a vaccine twice a week to avoid transfusions.

Each dialysis session costs P4,200.00 He needs 3 each week. Each dialyzer is good for 8 sessions and costs P3,800.00

For the rest of his life.

He is a registered PWD and so is able to avail of some discounts.
Because he was unable to continue paying for his Philhealth when he was separated from work, he is currently trying to work on reinstating Philhealth benefits. However, Philhealth only provides for 90 sessions per year, if they can work out the reinstatement. And even then, it will not cover the 150+ sessions a year that Homer will need.

PCSO provides five sessions per month and he has been able to avail of some free sessions despite the long process involved.

Homer will need dialysis for the rest of his life. The option of a kidney transplant is still under study, especially with the challenge of Homer being diabetic. His partner has been tested negative for compatibility and there is no possible donor for now -- if and when it becomes medically possible. And even then the price of the procedure may be prohibitive.

Homer also needs surgery because the catheter in his neck may only remain for 3 months or he faces a greater risk of infection. The amount needed for the OPD surgery is 48k.

Homer is currently receiving a monthly disability pension from SSS that covers some of his daily needs. There is very little assistance from the family who have their own medical financial challenges. His partner of six years works to provide for all the utility bills, food, medicines, supplements, and the costs of having a helper and a relative who assist in the care of Homer when his partner is at work. The four of them (partner, househelper, nephew, son) are the team that provides the care and physical support – carrying Homer to transport to the hospital, bathing, lifting, feeding.

It is hard to provide a total amount required that would not be shocking because the situation is an ongoing one. A few friends provide what they can in cash and kind, but we need a wider base to raise whatever can be raised to see Homer and his partner through the tough times and provide some hope for the future. Right now I am putting down the target amount as 500k. That should be able to see him through the neck surgery and 3-4 months of medical needs, if unable to get immediate assistance from Philhealth or PCSO. Any money raised will be stretched to the limit for his medical concerns.

I started this campaign with the knowledge and agreement of Homer and his partner Tess. The funds donated through this site will go to my PayPal account (neither of them have PayPal.) Everything will be thoroughly accounted, with the assistance of Lillian V, Homer's former boss. [I have known Homer for almost 20 years and Lillian for over 25 years when we all worked in Ateneo de Manila.]

PLEASE NOTE: This page provides convenience for those who wish to pay via PayPal. HOWEVER, Paypal takes a fee that is deducted from the donation, which is a shame.

To circumvent that fee, direct deposits can be made to:
Homer Galido BPI Family Bank SA# 6476137967

However if direct deposits will be made, please inform me through my email address: [email protected] so I can keep track of amounts and post an update here. I will be coordinating with Tess and Lil so that all donations are recorded and accounted for and totals will be posted on this site.

Please email me for other options for donation in cash or kind and I will put you in touch with Homer/Tess.

Thank you for reading through this message and for the kind donations I know you will readily give. May you receive blessings in multiple ways for your generosity.

** The last photo was taken in 2014, when Homer had not yet suffered from a stroke and when he was not aware of his kidney disease.

Rest in Peace Homer

Update posted by Karen BC On Dec 21, 2019

We are sorry to tell you that after struggling for six months with his condition, Homer has passed on. We lost him this morning after having been rushed to the ICU because he had lost consciousness. If you are reading this update, please say a prayer for the soul of our friend, Homer Galido.

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Update of Homer's condition October 27

Update posted by Karen BC On Oct 27, 2019

As of early October the balance of donations and expenses is as follows:

BALANCE
	Direct	Paypal	Total IN	Expenses	Balance
July	114,390.00			(6,970.50)
August	46,000.00			(56,464.76)
September	120,400.00	57,760.00		(29,626.56)
Confinement				(159,962.32)
October	105,000.00


	385,790.00	57,760.00	443,550.00	(253,024.14)	190,525.86

Since then Homer has had another surgical cleaning of his bedsores (new ones also developed.)

He has been confined for several days now because of an episode of hypoglycemia, wherein he lost consciousness and was sweating profusely. They were able to revive him but he has been deteriorating with infections and pneumonia. I doubt that the amount that we currently have now (bolstered hugely by two large donation of 50k each in October) will be sufficient for the expenses of October and this current confinement that looks to be a prolonged one.

Tess is beside herself with sadness, from her Facebook page:

"It is the darkest, deepest place one can travel to alone,

A solo journey filled with struggles and groans.
Every day is a new battle against the same foe,
But the enemy fights back with psychological blows.
It creeps up on you in your most vulnerable state,
Especially when there's no one around who can relate.
Thoughts in your mind begin to swirl and swell,
Which drag you into your own subconscious hell.
Figments and entities from your past
Serve as the pain, which you can't outlast.
Finally sleep always comes as a welcomed friend,
But it the morning the ceaseless battle begins yet again.

By:
Max S.

Am I the only one holding on....
Am I selfish that I don’t want to let you go....???"

We ask again for help, to ease at least her financial worries and this challenge of which we hope will have a joyful resolution.

Thank you once again.

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Update Oct 12

Update posted by Karen BC On Oct 12, 2019

Homer is currently confined for a night because he had to undergo another minor surgery for the cleaning of his bed sore, the same one which just refuses to heal properly.

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Update 4 October 2019

Update posted by Karen BC On Oct 03, 2019

This update has been late in coming this month for several reasons - Mother Lily (hehehe) has been away on a cruise (luckily it was not on the Titanic, so she returned home safe.) She was visiting her grandchildren, doing her Lola duties and eating too much, kaya ayan, ubo-ubo.

Tess has been very busy with her DepEd projects and had to go on several out of town trips. Of course, all the while worrying about Homer and his bedsores and thrice weekly dialysis.

So here I was, left in Manila, forlorn and neglected. Hahaha (Reyna ng Vicks.)

So here is the balance of donations since we began the campaign in July, to date. And the expenses for July to September, including the fistula surgery and the confinement due to pneumonia and bedsores and other complications.

Because of your generosity, as they say, nakaraos, and we are left with a balance that should see us through October and November, barring no confinements or complications and if Tess is successful in getting PCSO aid this month.

The witches (Lil, Anne, myself, and now, Joanna) will be getting together sometime this month to brainstorm on other ways to raise money for Homer. Of course this is a messy time of year, as Christmas approaches, traffic builds up, and people are beginning to focus on buying presents, planning trips out of town, entertaining balikbayan relatives.

We hope you will set aside a portion of your Christmas to share with Tess and Homer, not for a fancy feast or new clothes, but for the next dialysis session and nappies and medicines.

Because... you know... may the spirit of Christmas be always in our hearts... Let's sing Merry Christmas 🤣

(sorry, I just had to make you sing...) 🎄🌲🎅

Attached is the "public" list of donors, with initials only for you to review. If you feel that you have been missed, please PM me or Lil for clarification. Thank you

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Update 3 September and Thank you to CC

Update posted by Karen BC On Sep 03, 2019

I just received notice of a donation of 10k from CC. I won't include his name as it was sent as anonymous, so I respect his privacy. I have no other way to send a Thank you, so I hope you see this.
Thank you so much. Your donation has come just in time as we are beginning to worry, since the current medical bill will wipe out what has been left of the donations! Thank you for your generosity.

Current medical bill:

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Situation as of 2 September

Update posted by Karen BC On Sep 02, 2019

Homer was confined over the weekend and remains in hospital. He was brought to the ER because of persistent fever and weakening and an inability to eat. He was diagnosed with pneumonia and the doctor wanted to get to the bottom of why his bedsore would not heal. (Aside of course from his being diabetic.) He has two large sores (and I will not post the photos because some may be faint-hearted.) One is on his back and another on his foot. Unfortunately, their househelp did not return after a day off, so it has been hard for Tess to care for him and do all the chores, as well as attend to the thrice weekly dialysis sessions, when of course she has to be at work. When she brought Homer to the ER, she was also running a fever and had flu like symptoms.

Both are better now. Homer had to undergo debridement of the bedsores and is now taking a course of antibiotics. The doctor has required him to stay confined until the antibio treatment is done so the sores can be monitored better and for Homer to regain strength and maybe continue his physical therapy so he becomes mobile again.

Of course all of this costs. Luckily, Anne had the brilliant idea of purchasing a Maxicard ER card that helped defray a large part of the costs of the emergency consultation that would have otherwise eaten into the wellness kitty for dialysis and medications.

Although the amount collected seems comfortable at 250k, 51k of that had been collected before this campaign was started and was already largely spent. Another 54k was spent in the months of July and August for medication and dialysis and the fistula surgery. Of course there are a lot of background daily expenses, such as diapers and special nutrition that must be covered, as well.

We do not have the current running balance of this hospitalization yet, but I am sure that it will take a sizeable chunk out of the remaining 140k reserved for these eventualities.

So we continue to ask for help for Homer, as in the same breath we send out our sincerest thanks to all who have already given of their time, prayers, sacrificing some of their own needs and wants to pull out what they can from their pockets to give Homer and Tess the hope that is keeping them going. Thank you and God bless your generous hearts.

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Donation as of September 2

Update posted by Karen BC On Sep 02, 2019

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Update Aug 28

Update posted by Karen BC On Aug 27, 2019

Homer has undergone fistula surgery and his spirits were lifted with that. But unfortunately Homer has taken a turn for the worse. He has an awful back sore that will not heal and must be checked. He also has a very bad cough that requires nebulizing three times a day. That also requires a visit to the doctor. Because of his difficulties he cannot eat a good meal and must survive, for now, on food supplements.

There has been a lull in the flow of donations, and we have to push again and find other means to assist Homer and Tess, whose work is already being affected.

Attached are the expenses they have incurred for July and August. These are the very basic medicines and hospital fees (luckily with assistance for the dialysis from Philhealth.) As you can see the monthly costs are now low. And these are the bare necessities. He also needs diapers, and transport costs to and from the hospital and of course allowances for his caregivers when Tess has to be at work, to name just a few background expenses. We also include a rough list of projected expenses per month

We continue to knock and reach out to you.

What he survives on now.

The most recent photo of Homer

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July donations list

Update posted by Karen BC On Aug 05, 2019

This is the list I have of donations received through this GGF and through direct paypal, via bank deposits, or amounts personally handed to Liliian or Tess. We have kept the list to initials only. If you feel your donation has been overlooked, please email me at [email protected] with the details of your donation so I can double check the source records (paypal, bank, person.)

We would like to personally thank those who have donated that we do not personally know, but paypal does not provide the senders email address and some of the bank deposits remain anonymous, and so we are unable to do so. Please know that although we are unable to acknowledge your kindness, we are very appreciative. God bless you.

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Fistula Surgery Update Aug 3

Update posted by Karen BC On Aug 03, 2019

Thank you to our donors, today, Homer was able to have his fistula insertion surgery at Metro Antipolo Hospital and Medical Center. After all discounts (Philhealth and PWD) he spent about 19,000 for the surgery. Homer is back home now and cheerful that he was able to undergo this surgery thanks to your kindness.

He was supposed to have a really awful back sore drained but instead the doctor cleaned it and he has been told to put some sort of medicate derma patch, and change it daily until the sore heals. A patch costs (after discounts) 350 pesos a day. Again, he will be able to attend to healing this with your help!

We thank you for the kindness you have shown and the hope and joy that Homer is now feeling because of your open hearts. May you be blessed in many ways!

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