Funds for Mom’s last hope

HISTORY

She's been suffering this illness for almost 30 years now. When it was found out that she had “achalacia”, surgery was suggested by the doctor. Achalacia is a rare case, and no doctor from the Philippines before has ever performed it yet. She was still hesitant at that time, since it involves opening the chest, opening the rib cage, and placing a tube on the esophagus, and to her it was scary and too risky. She got scared and refused the operation. We think it’s a miracle that she survived this long considering that does not get enough nutrients since she can barely swallow any foods, even liquids. What ever she puts on her mouth is being pushed back since the lower sphincter on her esophagus is no longer responding. She is determined to live for us, her sons. She is a strong religious woman, and her faith in God has aided her to be strong despite her failing health. Due to this condition, she has had many complications brought about by the lack of nutrients. There were times that her heart has enlarged, and there are instances where in she gets heart burn where her body gets numb and cold. It pains us to see her crying because she is in deep pain. The least we could do is massage her and make sure blood flows properly on her system. I told myself that when I became successful and I get to save enough money, she will have the surgery so she will no longer suffer and she will be able to enjoy her food. Since we no longer have a father that supported us in our studies, all of these plans of mine are still far from realization and we are running out of time. My mom is getting older and weaker day by day. By God’s grace I was able to enroll her as a dependent under my Company’s HMO (a type of health insurance plan), which covers pre existing conditions such as this.

OUT OF TIME

With the HMO covering the pre existing conditions she was diagnosed of, mom has been scheduled for surgery. However, the coverage is still not enough and so we are very desperate in finding ways to make it possible because Surgery is the only way she will live longer. Our mom is still young, and we still would want to spend more time with her.

A week ago she called. She felt very sick and was in great pain. Fatigue, flu, colds, cough, tonsillitis struck her and I fear her condition will go worse as her body condition is failing due to the lack of nutrition.

She wanted to be admitted to the hospital, so I asked her to come to Cebu the soonest. We admitted her at St. Vincent Hospital and after a lot of tests, it was found out that her esophagus is in a really bad shape. The doctor gave her supplements through IV to boost her immune system as she is really feeble. They gave her potassium, vitamin B complex and amino acids through IV.

Now she is in the last stage of Achalasia. Her constant vomiting has caused her great pain and her esophagus is damaged badly. The irritation has expanded to 60+mm from a tolerable 20-22mm.

THE SURGERY

The doctor advised that surgery is her ONLY chance of surviving. Her HMO’s coverage has already been deducted by half from her recent admission. We were lucky enough to be referred to a good and known surgeon who also specializes in her unique case. She was briefed by the Surgeon and we were able to convince her to undergo laparoscopic Heller’s Esophagocardiomyotomy with DOR Fundoplication.

HELP AND SHARE

My brother and I loves our mom, and I bet you do feel the same way to your mothers. I am knocking at your heart’s door if you will be too kind to give any amount of donation for this to happen. Please help us raise funds for my mom's surgery so she will be permanently healed. I know inside everyone of you reading this has a good heart, and so I am appealing to everyone who would be kind enough to spare

any amount that your good heart is comfortable to give will mean so much for us. If you can also spread this campaign by sharing this page to reach other kindhearted people who are willing to help we will truly appreciate it.

I will be happy to give you more info and documents as proof of her diagnosis. My email is darrellcerna@ gmail.com You can also check with St. Vincent General Hospital, Cebu city.

We will be forever grateful to everyone who will make this possible.

• Darrell Jon