Baby Chloe’s Medical Fund

Spina bifida

Children with spina bifida may have health problems because of their condition.

1.) They may be paralyzed (not able to move their legs) or have decreased movement of their legs or experiences changes or loss of feeling in their legs.

2.) They may also have problems with their bladder and bowel function.

Bladder problems

With spina bifida, the nerves that tell the bladder to empty and release urine (pee) are often weak or not working. This means you may have to help your baby to pee and empty their bladder.

Bowel problems

Sometimes the nerves that make the bowels move are weak or not working.

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CHLOE's CONDITION

1.) Chloe's legs are showing improvements. Though her legs' movements are very weak, her surgeon said that it's a good sign. We were also told that her nerves maybe slowly recovering after her operation.

2.) She was able to pee on her own for three weeks.The itermittent catheterization is still being done but we consistently collect less than 10cc of urine.

Given these signs, we are skeptical whether to continue with Chloe's vesicostomy since she can already pee on her own?

1. Is it possible that her nerves are connected with her bladder movements making it possible for Chloe to pee without the help of a catherter? In case our assumptions are wrong and we delay the operation, there is a big chance for het kidneys to be severely damaged.

2. Should we stop using catheter (intermittent catheterization (catheterization can really cause UTI)? Should we stop the intermittent catheterization and observe because she can now pee on her own?

3.Should we allow the doctor to proceed with the operation?

Based on the video urodynamic (VUD) done to Chloe, her bladders are overactive, her bladders direct her urine back to her kidneys which causes her urine to be stucked. *SOMETIMES* it works, most of the times it doesnt - but this is no longer the case for three consecutive weeks.

We have the option to let Chloe undergo another video urodynamic (VUD) But that would cost us Php30K ($600). It's a huge amount of money, especially that we have already spent around Php600,000 ($12K) for her previous operations.

Baby Chloe was rushed to the ER last night (7/7) due to fever. Her pedia asked for a CBC and Urinalysis test and found out that she has UTI again. She was given another set of antibiotics because the infection is too high.

She was recently confined for 2 weeks because of UTI and her recent vp shunt operation. She was just discharged last July 3.

Her euro-surgeon scheduled her for operation at PCMC on the 25th. We trying to request if this can be done earlier to avoid having more infections. Please continue praying for our little one. Thank you and God bless!

June 30, 2:45 AM (Manila Time)

Good news! Chloe already got a clearance to proceed with her two operations. Her hemoglobin is too low but a blood transfusion will be done today. Her neuro surgeon scheduled the revision of shunt this Saturday, June 30. After that, Baby Chloe will be ready to undergo her 4th operation possibly on July 1 or 2.

Thank you for showing your love for this little angel since day 1. Please continue praying for Chloe and her family.

From Chloe's mom, Jen.

Confirmed. Per Baby Chloe's Neuro Surgeon, she needs to undergo another operation that would cost roughly around Php150-180k ($3,600). They need to replace the valve of her shunt from medium pressure to a low pressure valve. Head circumference increased by 5cm in just a couple of weeks. This operation needs to be done ASAP. As soon as we get clearance from baby chloe's pedia (she needs to be cleared first from all infections), we will immediately schedule her shunting operation..

After the shunting operation, her vesicostomy will be scheduled to save her kidneys which will cost around Php100k ($2,000). These 2 operations need to be done "within 1 week" since she is very prone to infections and to avoid any further damage.

As of this writing, Baby Chloe's still in the hospital, getting treated for her UTI.

We've been in and out of the hospital since day1. We haven't recovered yet (financially) from the first 2 operations. So, we humbly ask any assistance that could help us raise enough money to proceed with the operations.

You may contact us through the numbers listed below.
Ken Gementiza or Jen Reyes-Gementiza at 09179589865 or 09178837335

BPI Savings Account
Ken Gementiza
1619312461

BDO Savings Account
Jennifer R. Gementiza
00-3870-1264-47

Please continue praying for our baby Chloe's speedy recovery and hopefully no other complications will arise after these operations.

Baby Chloe is currently confined at Meycauayan Doctors Hospital. She's suffering from UTI and it is a requirement to have this cleared before she can undergo Vesicostomy

It was also observed that Chloe's head grew about 4cm after her previous operations. That is an indication that her shunt is not functioning properly. Jen and her husband Ken, already called her neuro surgeon and they were told that if her shunt is really not working properly, she might need to undergo "another operation" (shunting) ASAP.