Help Marilyn’s Locked-in Syndrome (LIS) Recovery

A sweet, loving retiree suffered a stroke that affected her brain stem. Now, she is in a "locked in" state - she is fully aware of what's happening around her but outside, she is merely on her bed unable to move and communicate (through speech or movements). May God bless your generous, benevolent hearts. #beatinglockedin #labanTati

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Marilyn is a single, independent, 64-year old retiree. She spent nearly all her retirement money from paying utilities, and living expenses. She has been living with the help of her sister who is now also retired. She is primarily the homemaker in their house - she stays with her 92-year old mother, younger sister, and younger brother's family. She is the primary caregiver of her mother, which she feeds and cleans after among other things. She is sweet and really thoughtful. She prepares family meals and cleans the house. She shows her love for others through cooking delicious foods and delicacies. Her famous dishes include pinaltok, sinukmani (biko for others), tamales, ginataang pusit, ginataang baka, adobong baboy na tuyo, sinaing na tulingan, atsara, ambutido, beef kaldereta, and beef tapa among others. She spends hours preparing food for balikbayans, sick relatives she'll visit, old friends and relatives, and simply food-craving relatives. She would gladly make coffee for you even if you do not ask for it. We really feel her love as she fills our tummies.

Marilyn is also a lover of life. She loves the simple things. She likes gazing at the moon from their house. She stays up at night watching her tennis idol Rafael Nadal. She likes to play BINGO with her family. She loves dogs and she takes care of them as well. She also appreciates simple gestures like talking to her and giving her simple, inexpensive gifts. She is also well-loved by the kids and is fondly called "Tati" (word play for "Tita" or aunt). Since she does not have much money anymore, her gifts to her friends and family are foods made with love. Ultimately, she loves helping other people and does not want to be a burden to other people. As much as possible, she takes care of herself and keeps whatever ills or discomfort she is feeling to herself.

We love her so much and we hope you can help us fund her recovery from what is known as "Locked-in Syndrome." She suffered a severe stroke last 11 February 2018, which damaged her brain stem (or "pons"). At the moment, she cannot breathe yet on her own and needs support of respirator. She cannot move and cannot talk to us. She is completely aware of her surroundings. She can understand what we / the doctors are saying, but she cannot respond to us. She is conscious but cannot do voluntary movements. So far, she can only blink her eyes and look up and down. We are praying and doing our best to give her the right care needed for her to recover from this locked-in syndrome. It is a long road to care and recovery and we hope you can help her as she recovers from this condition. She will be needing care and assistance for the rest of her life - something that she, as an independent woman, does not want. But the Lord has plans that we cannot understand but we just have to trust. We still do not know what can she regain as she starts her way to recovery but we are positive that with the right care, rehabilitation, and prayers, she can still live a good quality life moving forward.

We hope and pray that you can help us help Marilyn recover from her Locked-In syndrome. She has been of service to other people all her life so far, and we would want to return the favor now and give her the right care and service necessary. Please feel free to send her messages of hope and encouragement. If your kind heart is moved to donate, please message me for details on bank transfers/deposits or simply give through the YouCaring way.

We will send regular updates so you know how she is doing and how your help is helping her. We thank you for your gracious and benevolent heart. May the good Lord bless you and your family.

Summary of events:

1. She has been suffering from dizziness and headaches a week prior to her stroke.

2. She suffered a massive stroke on 11 February. Thankfully, other family members were in the house at that time and so we were able to bring her to the nearest local hospital. We needed to transfer her to St. Lukes Medical Center in Quezon City (Philippines) as the local hospital did not have an available ICU for her. It took us 8-10 hours to transfer her as we had trouble finding well-equipped ambulance and available ICU, thereby missing the 4-hour golden period in attending to stroke.

3. She was treated for urinary tract infection (UTI) while in the ICU. She was given medicines and thankfully, she is cleared of the bacteria already.

4. She also underwent brain shunting. This was done to relieve the pressure in her brain. Hopefully, the inflammation subsides soon. She also underwent tracheostomy. This should at least lower the risk of infections and make it easier to breathe off the respirators in the future.

It is a long road to recovery but we can be with her in that road. She was always ready to help the needy (and hungry) and now you can help give her what she needs.

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