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.

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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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Update July 25 9 p.m.

Update posted by Karen BC On Jul 25, 2019

This is my current accounting of the donations we have received - thru Lil, thru me, or directly into the hands of Tess /bank account of Homer. We have kept to initials to ensure the privacy of the donors. Those marked anonymous are donations we received directly into the bank and were not emailed as to who sent it. If you could be so kind as to inform us (unless you really prefer not to let us know) for our recording purposes. To those we have no contact email, please accept the sincerest gratitude and thanks from Homer and Tess (as well as Lil and myself.) You have no idea how much this has turned around the lack of hope and desperation that Homer was going through. May you be blessed multifold in many ways for this kindness. God bless you all.