Bonbon’s fight against SLE (Lupus)

Hi all!

I have created this fund raising not just to raise funds for my partner Bon Ele's medical needs but also to raise awareness about SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus).
Lupus is a life-threatening autoimmune disease for which there is no cure.
To date no one knows what causes lupus although research is making progress.
While the majority of those with lupus are women, the disease can also occur in young children, older people, and men.
Lupus occurs when your immune system becomes too sensitive and begins to falsely attack your healthy body tissue causing damage and inflammation.
The symptoms of lupus usually begin as vague flu-like aches, fevers, rashes, joint pain, fatigue, and those that mimic other diseases.
Lupus can cause kidney failure, central nervous system complications like seizures and strokes, blood clots, miscarriages, lung failure, heart disease, high blood pressure, vascular problems, and an early death.
Lupus is more common than leukemia, multiple sclerosis, cystic fibrosis, and muscular dystrophy combined.

Bernadine Lois Ele (Bonbon), was diagnosed with SLE back in 2002. It took the medical team about a month before they figured out what seemed to be the problem and that means 1 month confinement for my friend too (Feb-March).
This was confirmed thru DNA test. She was even transferred from one hospital to another because of erroneous medical prescription. It was the same year when kidney biopsy was performed and confirmed SLE (nephritis).
She still continued taking meds and even tried herbal ones for luck’s sake. The entire body of this letter focuses mainly on the medical history/timeline of her illness so please bear with me as I think it’s very significant that we layout these facts to prevent people from thinking that I am only fabricating stories for personal interests.
I guess it would be easier for the readers if I write the rest in bullet form.
Kindly refer below for detailed medical history as per my friend’s statement:
•2003 to 2004 – SLE was a little active (little rashes all over the body)
•2005 – SLE was hyperactive. After a few tests and check-up, the doctor advised that Bonbon needed to undergo chemotherapy to avoid dialysis. Decided to do chemotherapy but only for 6 months due to financial incapability (chemo should run in a duration of 2 years). She had limited water intake set to just 1 liter/day consuming 22caps/tabs of meds for morning, noon and afternoon. Her whole body was swollen including the face and there was too much protein in her urine.
•2006 to 2007 – same with 2003 to 2004
•2008 – Was confined due to SLE being active again, minor kidney infection.
•2009 – Was in extreme pain because of kidney infection.
During confinement, medical team found out her kidneys already turned yellow due to gall bladder stones. Underwent gall bladder removal, blood transfused approximately 5 bags.
•2010 to 2011 – same with 2003 to 2004. Confined for a few days for thorough lab tests
•2012 – confined and diagnosed with costochondritis
•2013 – confined for eardrum operation, another kidney biopsy for SLE activity and level/stage (result: STAGE 4)
•2014 – medical maintenance
•2015 – Confined again due to recurring complications. Also underwent dilation and curettage (known as RASPA in the Philippines)
•2016 – Confined for more than 2 weeks due to back pain. Turned out there was a big bulge in her spine causing extreme pain on her back and legs (month of March).
By April, there was an eye infection. Linked to herpes zoster virus as it was really possible due to very low immune system. Confined for almost a month (May-June) due to unstable BP that skyrocketed to 240/140 (SLE related) After running a series of tests, she was diagnosed with Serositis Pericarditis (both referring to inflammation of the tissue of her heart). Other than that doctors found out the she has an enlargement of the liver.
•2017 - 2018 – She's been in and out of the hospital as her hemoglobin is unstable
•2019 – Was confined again as her hemoglobin went down to 3 and creatinine was too high that the doctors had to perform an emergency dialysis. But the doctors advised that she still needs blood transfusion but they have tested a lot of B+ but none was compatible with her antibodies. The blood that should be transferred to her should not have the Antigen C component.

With the aforementioned particulars, I’d say that she is a great fighter. Actually, it is an understatement.
She is a warrior bursting with determination.
I am personally knocking your golden heart.
She is in need of helping hands!
Any amount will do please, let us save her life.

Fight SLE Queen!
Bonbon Ele

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
For Philippine Bank Donations:
Recipient: Bernadine Lois Ele
BPI Account #: 8529195428

OR

Recipient: Abigail Roxas
BDO Account #: 000161043321
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
My contacts are as follow,
Cellphone #: +639060030424
E-mail address: [email protected]