Help Baby Ryle, the toughie preemie

Hi, meet Baby Ryle, our toughie preemie.

He is now one month old and has been confined at the NICU of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital since birth. Baby Ryle was born premature at only 27 weeks and 1 day, weighing 1,020grams (2.3lbs).

Upon birth, he was immediately intubated due to difficulty in breathing (alar flaring, tachypnea and deep intercostal and subcostal retractions). His ANC (absolute neutrophil count) indicated something was not right. His chest x-ray also revealed he has pneumonia, thus antibiotics (Ampicillin and Amikacin) were started.

The doctors tried to extubate Baby Ryle several times trying to see if he could already breathe on his own but it seems his lungs are still underdeveloped and he does not have much muscle yet to keep him breathing at a steady rate without the help of a ventilator. They also shifted antibiotics several times because there was a progression of pneumonia.

Baby Ryle's Newborn Screening Test showed elevated enzyme and was referred to a Pediatric Endocrinologist. Due to his prematurity, his eyesight must also be continuously checked, thus requiring an Ophthalmologist. Baby Ryle also developed a cyst in his neck, thus he needed to be referred to an ENT doctor and a Pediatric Surgeon for monitoring and possibly surgery because the cyst is continuously growing.

My husband and I have jobs but the hospital bill was just too big that we are having a hard time coping up. After a month in the NICU, our hospital bill was already at half a million pesos not including doctors' fees. Baby Ryle's condition requires him be continuously checked by a Pediatrician, a Neonatologist, a Pediatric Endocrinologist, an Opthalmologist, an ENT doctor and a Pediatric Surgeon.

We were told that Baby Ryle might need to stay in the NICU for four more weeks. Another month will mean the hospital bill could amount to more or less 1.5million pesos including all of the doctors’ fees. We have exhausted all our savings. We have also applied for PCSO and DSWD assistance but they are not much.

We know the pain of losing a child. Earlier this year, my husband and I lost our first son. I gave birth to our eldest, Elija Rei, who was also a preemie. He was born 27 weeks and 3 days. He also stayed in the NICU of another hospital but we lost him after 11 days. This drained us emotionally as well as financially.

It pains us to see our Baby Ryle still at the hospital with tubes and needles piercing his little body because of all the tests he has to go through. It pains us to not be able to carry him in our arms. I came to a point where I was asking God why we have to go through this, why our babies do not reach full-term, why our Baby Ryle needs to endure all of these but my husband keeps in check and God is good because as of November 20, Baby Ryle gained weight and he is now 1,109grams (2.7lbs/1.1kg).

We are determined to do anything to keep Baby Ryle alive. He is active: kicking, stretching and sometimes even reaching for his tubes. Our baby is a fighter and we will fight for and with him too.

We are seeking the goodness of family, friends and strangers like you that might be willing to help with Baby Ryle's recovery. Your donations will help us, especially Baby Ryle, tremendously. The best Christmas gift we could receive this season is to have Baby Ryle come home healthy with us.

Also, if it's not much to ask please join us in praying for Baby Ryle's health. Thank you very much.

For Bank Donations, please see details below:

1. Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI):
Regileine Hernandez
Savings Account: 8029 1280 58

2. Chinabank:
Elyester Lonsania
Savings Account: 156-088181-0

3. Landbank:
Regileine Hernandez
Savings Account: 0686 1097 98