Sonia’s Medical Fund
Fundraising campaign by
Rowena Santos
-
₱167,650raised of ₱1,000,000.00 goal goal
No more donations are being accepted at this time. Please contact the campaign owner if you would like to discuss further funding opportunities
Campaign Story
Together with my brothers Sonny and Dino, I am appealing to your good hearts to help us raise funds to cover the mounting medical bills of our mother, Sonia. My brothers had been providing for our medical needs, but the family's financial resources are now taking a beating with this latest health challenge.
WHAT HAPPENED: On May 25, 2019, Sonia, 79, was brought to the Emergency Room of The Medical City by Dino and mom's caregiver Perla--she had lost consciousness for a few seconds after lunch, had come to, but was almost unresponsive. Tests showed that she had fluid in her lungs, a manifestation of aspiration pneumonia. She was losing oxygen. There are other issues--anemia and less-than-ideal nutrition levels, among others. Because there was a reasonably good chance for recovery, she was intubated and is now getting assistance for her breathing. (As of Day 4 in the hospital, however, she is being weaned from the machine. Fingers crossed they can extubate soon.)
ICU COSTS ARE GROWING: Because she is in the ICU, costs are high and it's all adding up really fast. On Day 2, the bill was already more than Php200,000. Confinement will most likely be at least one week. We're trying our best to see where we can reduce costs (like providing some of the supplies ourselves--gloves, gauze, diapers, underpads, etc), but we are already finding it a challenge to keep up.
HER MEDICAL HISTORY: She has had Parkinsons for a little over 30 years now, a condition that limits her mobility but also slows the functioning of her brain. Limited movement has also contributed to the loss of muscle mass, osteoporosis, an inability feed herself properly, digestive issues, and depression, among others.
In addition, the last couple of decades have dealt us with major medical and financial blows. In 2003, Sonia had open-heart surgery to replace her heart's mitral valve with an artificial one. In 2009, she went through a colectomy to remove a huge mass from her colon. In 2010, just four months after her colectomy, she sustained a subdural hematoma after falling from her bed. She underwent a craniotomy to relieve the pressure on her brain from the injury. In 2018, she developed a highly-contagious MRSA infection, which then required surgery and hospital confinement. (As if that were not enough, I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015. After a mastectomy, treatment went on for nearly two years.)
PLEASE HELP US: For all the sacrifices that our mother has made (especially after we lost our dad, Miniong, to naso-pharyngeal cancer in 1988), the least we could do for her is keep her as healthy as she can be as she approaches her twilight years. It's a strain, for sure, but we do it with love. Every donation made will bring us closer to our goal. We hope you can be a part of this effort, too.
Our deepest gratitude,
Rowena, Sonny, Dino
Donors
- Carmina de Dios
- Donated on Jun 14, 2019
- Anonymous
- Donated on Jun 12, 2019
- Anonymous
- Donated on Jun 11, 2019
Owen, i'm praying for your mom. <3 aroha nui ML
The Final Tally
Update posted by Rowena Santos at 02:32 pmSo, GoGetFunding recorded that only 16% of our target amount was raised--raised online, that is. Offline, it's another story--while you helped us raise a huge amount online Php167,650, you also helped us raise a whopping Php361,235 offline! This all came to a total of Php528,885--more than half of our target. . . . .
One week! THANK YOU!
Update posted by Rowena Santos at 02:58 pmONE WEEK AGO, today, Sonia was finally discharged from the hospital. It's been generally good, though we haven't gotten our patterns down pat. Well, she does get her meals at specific hours of the day--five times, every four hours, starting at 5:30am. There are good days, and there are days. . . . .
The blender is our friend
Update posted by Rowena Santos at 02:45 amSonia's PEG feeding tube has opened another world of food prep for most of us here. We have some pretty decent culinary skills in the family, and now we’ve added another one—making meals for mom that are processed in a blender. Mom was sent home with a preparation guide for. . . . .
Mini high school reunion
Update posted by Rowena Santos at 04:18 pmThe love and support of family can certainly help boost one’s recovery from illness. But there’s nothing like getting the old high school gang—or part of it, at least— back together for some laughs and reminiscing to perk you up even more. Rizal High School, batch 1955, reprezent! (Do people. . . . .
The Grand Total
Update posted by Rowena Santos at 03:00 pmWe won’t ever tire of saying “Thank you” to all of you who are praying for us, spending time with us, and are continuing to help us raise funds for Sonia’s hospitalization and recovery at home. Without your help, we would not have been able to complete the treatments mom. . . . .
More updates coming!
Update posted by Rowena Santos at 04:56 am😴 We’l just need to rest our brains for a short while then we’ll begin posting updates again tomorrow. In brief: Mom’s first full day at home (yesterday) was pretty much uneventful; and that’s a good thing! Thank goodness! 😊
Freedom!
Update posted by Rowena Santos at 11:03 amDAY 19 (Wednesday, June 12): It’s Philippine Independence Day! (Maligayang araw ng kasarinlan!) It’s also mom’s discharge day. Finally! Her day of freedom from those nasty IV lines, catheters, needles, etc. Time to go home, see the outdoors for real, and lie in her own bed, among many other things.. . . . .
Aaand we have a PEG tube!
Update posted by Rowena Santos at 03:18 pmDAY 17 (Monday, June 10): What an exhausting day; or maybe it’s this whole thing catching up on all of us. We haven’t been sleeping well these past couple of weeks—turning in late, and waking up early—as we take turns watching over mom, waiting for her doctors to do their. . . . .
Rest day
Update posted by Rowena Santos at 07:51 amDAY 16 (Sunday): So, because Sonia’s “visa” to the Pearly Gates has not yet been approved, she’ll be with us for a while. We are very happy about that, of course! Thanks to all of you who are helping us make it possible. ❤️Today is a rest day in preparation. . . . .
Grateful
Update posted by Rowena Santos at 10:01 amDAY 15 (Saturday): We are nearly halfway through our fundraising goal—our hearts are bursting with joy and gratitude! ❤️ Maraming salamat po sa mga nag-donate at sa mga magdo-donate pa. It’s always a difficult decision to have to ask for financial help from others when we’re supposed to be the. . . . .
Donors & Comments
- Carmina de Dios
- Donated on Jun 14, 2019
- Anonymous
- Donated on Jun 12, 2019
- Anonymous
- Donated on Jun 11, 2019
Owen, i'm praying for your mom. <3 aroha nui ML
- Jon Marquez
- Donated on Jun 08, 2019
- Dou Decapia
- Donated on Jun 08, 2019
My family and I hope for the best and will keep her in our pray. Pareng Dino, let me know if there’s anything else I can do.
- Emerald and Marc Castro
- Donated on Jun 07, 2019
- Carol Gancia
- Donated on Jun 03, 2019
- Carol Gancia
- Donated on Jun 03, 2019
Thank you, Owen, for reaching out to everyone. I know it must not have been easy. I know what it's like to have illness in the family coupled with financial strain. We've all been there. Wishing your mom a speedy recovery. I'm so happy to hear she is improving. Much love, Carol
- Anonymous
- Donated on Jun 01, 2019
- Linh
- Donated on Jun 01, 2019
Wish she will have a speedy recovery and many miracles to happen.