Fund-Raising for an Open-Heart Surgery

Hello.

My name is Christine, from General Santos, Philippines. I'm 22 years old and I have a Congenital Heart Disease.

I was diagnosed with this sickness ever since I've been born, and you bet it wasn't really easy for me. I was hospitalized a lot when I was a kid. I couldn't play tag with the other kids, or even enjoy the jokes of my brother because then, I'll have a hard time breathing. My nails and lips turn dark purple. My mom and dad needed to look after me all the time.

Ventricular Septal Defect with Patent Ductus Arteriosus. That's what it's called. It's a hole in the heart. Some people born with it luckily need not to get operated because usually, this hole closes on its own once the person matures. But as for me, it's a different case. And when this hole is left unclosed, the blood in my body skips a necessary step of circulation inside my lungs. This then causes my heart and lungs to work harder just to get my blood oxygenated which then results to blood thickness, breathing difficulties etc.

When I was thirteen years old, I remember even being in class that day, I was hurriedly rushed to the hospital because of this condition. It was found out that my condition had become more severe and that I needed to undergo surgery.

I had a modified surgery called Blalocking Taussig Shunting just so blood can temporarily flow to the lungs and relieve cyanosis, or the bluish discoloration of my skin, nails and lips. Total correction of tetralogy of fallot was recommended after six month. But due to lack of money and hard living, it was not done.

I tried to leave normally after that because then I thought I could live slightly more normal than before. I finished high school and had a scholarship for college, became one of the top students in my business course. I was a deans lister and an active member of the student council. I built my dreams of pursuing a career and becoming successful but then one day, I woke up in a hospital bed again.

Seems like my condition's pretty much worse now. It almost seemed like the hospital is my second home. Wounds and bruises in my body due to a number of syringes inserted in my body. I have an oxygen tank at home just in case I have trouble breathing again. It was a nightmare for me, again.

And now, my doctors recommend the total closure of tetralogy of the fallot. And now is my fourth month unddrgoing several tests just as we wait for the go signal from my doctors. What's even more heartbreaking is that some of my doctors say that the surgery may only mean more pressure to my heart and lungs and may even risk my life. If so, I've got to choose between just accepting the fact that I am to live this way or having a very costly heart transplant in Singapore. And clearly I've made my choice. That's why I'm here knocking on hearts and asking for support.

Because I don't want to be like this anymore. I don't want to need a wheelchair just because ten steps may already make me fall off the ground. I don't want to have an oxygen tank beside my bed. I don't want to see my mother and father secretly heart-broken because of the situation of their daughter. I want to laugh. I want to cry. I want to get angry. Iwant to become what I always say I am, strong and ambitious. I don't want to lose faith because I know I will be able to get through this. I don't just want to survive. I crave to live.

For those who don't have paypal account, you may deposit your donations on the following Bank accounts:

BPI SAVINGS ACCOUNT: Christine Angelica E. Estal 2159-2160-58

BDO SAVINGS ACCOUNT Flordeliza E. Estal (Mother) 329-0387563