A cardiac patient in need. Please help save mom

Hi everyone. My name is April, an OFW and this fundraising is for my mother, Mrs. Sheran S. Gemoto, who is suffering from a congenital heart disease. Mom is our own version of Superwoman. She did a lot for our family, guiding us while my brother and I were growing up, started our own family and she stood still when our father passed away. Now, she’s the one in need.

On the outside, my mom is a jolly person and does everything she can even if she has been advised to get proper rest. She enjoys being surrounded by her grandchildren and always buys them goodies. Always ready to help other people in need, which sometimes I have to remind her to go slow and think about her health. You would never know she is suffering from a congenital disease. She’s by the way diagnosed with Congestive heart failure and Rheumatic heart disease and is also an asthmatic. We almost lost her way back in 2004 but God is good, He gave her back to us.

In June of this year I went home for a vacation and spent time with my family. And while there, I noticed that my mother is not in a good shape and looks exhausted. She lost a lot of weight and is always running out of breath even just doing short walks. I advised her to go see her doctor, and so we went. All tests has been done and on that same day, I heard a debilitating news from her doctor. The reason why I am seeing those symptoms is because her valve has become narrower, from a normal size of 2.5 cm, now she’s only left with a point 7 cm, which makes things difficult for her. This was after the result of her 2D Echo (A Two-Dimensional Echocardiography provides excellent images of the heart, paracardiac structures, and the great vessels) was shown to me and interpreted by her doctor.

Despite all necessary interventions and maintenance medicine that she is taking, from blood thinner to high dosage of diuretic, the doctor had strongly advised for an open heart surgery for her.

I felt my heart pounded fast and my knees became weak. Like the same scenario I saw during the time that she was lying in the hospital bed, the first time we knew about her health condition. I felt helpless, scared and frustrated. I heard her asking “If I undergo this procedure, what’s the success rate of me being alive?” I was caught off guard. I didn’t want to hear what the doctor will say, but it’s too late. I heard one word that haunted me up until these days, danger. We have to consider the outcome that might outweigh the risk said by her doctor. Upon hearing those words, I felt my eyes went blurry, my ears felt full, like I wasn’t hearing anything. I wanted to cry, but I have to mask my fear. Mom is the backbone of our family and scares me to think that we might lose her and the thought that I haven’t done anything to help her. I know I am not alone, I leave everything to God but I also have to start moving and do the best I can.

Family members, friends, strangers, here I am now asking for your help. Though I am employed, I don’t think I will be able to save up a huge amount in such a short period of time. I along with my brother are the ones earning in the family. But knowing the situation and the employment status in the country, my brother is only having short term jobs. I still end up helping them as well as supporting their financial needs and of my daughter back home. Add up to that, I am also having my fair share of difficulties here in UAE.

I am kindly asking for your help, for my family get through this. A small donation will go a long way and sharing this gogetfunding page I made for her will help accumulate the amount needed for her surgery.

Mothers are important to us. Children will always be looking after their parents the way parents had to their children. Please help save my mom. My family and I would greatly appreciate your help.

Thank you very much to each and everyone of you.