I must live for my loving family

Stanley Van Betuin, an end stage kidney disease patient, has been diagnosed at the early age of 5 that by the time he reaches the age of 18, both of his kidneys would shut. He inherited his weak kidneys from his mother, who has a history of weak internal organs in her family. However, her mother refuse to accept this fact that came from Stanley's pediatrician and other doctors.

Luckily, Stanley Van was already 38 years old when both of his kidneys have shutted down. At this age, he already has 4 children, with one in the college, one in the senior high school, one in junior high school, and 1 in the elementary. The only source of income is his wife who earns sufficiently for the daily overhead expenses in the family. Stanley lost his job at the age of 30 due to the medical results of his weak kidneys, and his hearing impairment due to his mother's negligence.

At this stage, when both of his kidneys shutted down two years ago at his 38th age, the only help his family sent was 150,000Php out of the 300,000 hospital bill. The rest of the hospital expenses, together with the subsequent hemodialysis expense thereafter, change of dialyzer, and other maintenance medicines were left alone at the back of his wife's back.

December 1st, 2017, he was confined due to a bacterial infection caused by Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, sensitive only to high end antibiotics. This has been manifested through the swelling of his right shoulders, right arms, right thigh, right leg, and right foot. According to his nephrologist, he was showing improvement by December 6, with less swelling and redness of his right leg and shoulder. His white blood cells is down to 15,000 from an initial of 36,000, after drainage of the abscesses. The surgeries, performed last December 5, that covered all of the swollen parts, drained 3 cups of puss cells in all. However, he needs a private room to minimize exposure of others to his MRSA bacteria. This can be spread by contact, so strict hand washing was implemented. He will recover when antibiotic treatment is completed, according to his nephrologist.

December 7th, his mother came over at the hospital and wants to bring Stanley home alone- without us his family. With no ill intention, however, none among Stanley's siblings, nor his parents can devote their time for Stanley's well being. From changing his diapers, to cleansing his poop, and feeding him, these are some of the crucial needs of the patient.

I can vividly recall how Stanley complains about the mistreatment and abuse he receives from his own family at the peak of Stanley's health and strength. Noone cannot stop shedding tears whenever he would complain about his family who mistreated and abused him. What more can we expect at a time like this?

In addition, we think his mother cannot manage solely on her own in taking care of Stanley. She even emphasized to tell Stanley's youngsters to regard their father as "dead". We don't want to crush the hope of a longer and fruitful life with their dad, that our children hold in their hearts.

As we firmly believe, and constantly stand up for, "Families are eternal." Therefore, we must not let go of one another and fight for each other until our last breath. We don't want our children to be part away from their father, knowing how much they love him and how they are motivated with him by their side.

Moreover, his mother blames his wife that Stanley's illness is due to hee. His mother was singing a different tune the day Stanley hesitated about going with her to Tacloban. She initially promised that she will not go home until Stanley's bill is completely settled and he is ready for discharge. By December 11, up to the present, she has now desserted us, and ignored our cries for help. We told her that if loving his son wholeheartedly equates to constantly sacrificing for him then it's an act of true and genuine love that we'll keep on doing over and over again..

Further more, his Auntie from the US promised to take care of the bill upon our call last December 1. She via phone conversation his sister, Stanley's mother, that she will help to the best that she can to help Stanley go out of the hospital. However, Stanley's Auntie took back all of her words about helping us, when Stanley also refused to be taken to Tacloban without his family.

Everyone, please help Stanley. We have know no one else to seek help from. You are one of those with a genuine love and concern who possess the heart to help him in all possible ways that you can. His eldest child, and I have already consumed the maximum salary loans for the next 5 years for his hemodialysis, and the deductions are still in great effect. We as his family, cannot forsake him. He may be currently confined but the doctors say there is still a great hope for recovery.

We humbly ask for your help in financing his discharge so that he can continue his treatment at home. It is already January 28, and the hospital will not discharge us until full payment has been settled. Thank you.