Help our Little Hulkster Hulk Up

And you think you have it all mapped out. You think you have the perfect plan, just the right amount of sunshine and rainbows, just the right amount of this, just the right amount of that. You know deep down inside that you've covered all your bases, looked at it from every angle, dotted all the i’s, crossed all the t’s. But life always has a funny way of unraveling.

And it throws you a curveball. And suddenly you’re out on your ass. And you realize that all the preparation, all the research, and all the planning can never, ever really prepare you. For anything.

Twenty-eight weeks was all it took to get us out of our carefully constructed haven. And Cillian blessed us with his first cry. His first breath of life. His first touch. And just like that, he was placed in a cold and detached incubator, away from our loving embrace. And I couldn’t stop crying. I couldn’t stop crying because I don’t remember or even know of a time that I have ever been happier. I couldn’t stop crying for my wife who had to endure a high-risk pregnancy fraught with various complications. I couldn't stop crying for our first-born–our new purpose, our new here and now, our new reason for being.

Even as first-time parents, you know. You. Just. Know. You know everything your parents said that you never could truly understand. Until now. That you would never ever want your child to suffer or cry or hurt. You would absolutely, without hesitation or thought, put yourself in their place just so that they wouldn’t have to go through all that pain.

And Cillian has already endured--various blood extractions for testing, insertion and removal of multiple IV lines, intubation on and off, X-rays, 2D echoes, cranial and abdominal ultrasounds, blood transfusions, retinal examinations, video EEG and a lumbar puncture. But he is persevering. He is fighting. He is relentless. And we are all just at the start of this wonderful yet frightening journey. Together. This is as much his fight as it is ours.

Needless to say, hospital bills accumulate quite fast, especially with all the tests, procedures, equipment, medications, specialists and personnel that come with the high level of care needed by a preterm baby.

Since Cillian was born last August 24, 2022, his hospital bill has already amounted to PhP542,457.92 (as of this writing on September 3, 2022). And our doctors have informed us that realistically, he would need up to 8 to 10 weeks (since his birth) in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit). Which, when computed at this rate comes to roughly PhP345,200 per week.

And your donations could help us with so much that he needs--here's where your donations would go:

• NICU Room and Board - Php4,755 per day
• Cardiac Monitor - Php3,144 per day
• Ventilator - Php3,666 per day
• Video EEG - Php19,155 (done once)
• 2D Echo - Php14,074 each (done thrice)
• Cranial Ultrasound - Php5,342 each (done twice)
• Procalcitonin (Blood Test) - Php4,498 each
• Levetiracetam (Anti-seizure Medication) - Php7,053.75 per vial (one vial per day for 21 days)
• Professional Fees of Doctors and Specialists (as of Sept 24) - Php322,213

Just to name a few.

Given this, our conservative estimate puts our total cost at around PhP2,761,000.00 at the end of the 8th week. Which is quite an overwhelming amount to say the least. And our savings can only cover so much.

We have exhausted all avenues to be able to raise funds for Cillian, and are now turning to all of you kind-hearted and generous souls to help us get through this (financial) hurdle.

After such a high-risk pregnancy, Cillian is truly our miracle baby. He is our little warrior. He is our little fighter. He is our hero.

Any assistance would be of great help to our new family. And we thank you all in advance for your help, contributions and donations in these trying times.

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For those who wish to donate directly to us, you may do so through the following accounts:

BDO

Patrick A. Cabalu

001440119706

Metrobank

Patrick A. Cabalu

0933093184387

BPI Savings

Lisa Marie L. Llanto

3966 0300 68

GCash (Patrick)

09175327399

GCash (Lisa)

09178804664

PayPal (PCab Designs)

[email protected]