Charito "Aida" Alegro Sarno
Donation protected
How do I even start?
That’s a question I ask myself each time I open my eyes… and this won’t be short.
I’m Abigail, or Abby as most of you know me.
As you know, my husband John is a Kidney Warrior and my Mom, Charito or Aida as many know her, has been in and out of the hospital since last year.
And the past few months have been really hard on my family and honestly, me. It’s an ongoing feeling of helplessness especially right after John and I were in a car accident last Thursday.
See I don’t know how to make this “not about ME”, but it’s about me trying to CONTINUE TO HELP the ones I love.
Everyone (I think) reaches a point in their lives where they feel like… it’s the end and there’s nowhere else to go, or even when everyone around you tells you or thinks you are strong, but deep inside you know you’re really not, no matter how hard you try. And I know God is control. Trust me I do, and I know that, and I believe that and hope for that. But last night, I hit that point, and I didn’t cry, I didn’t scream and shout, I didn’t hurt myself, but I was just numb. And while browsing through the net, because that’s the only thing I could do at 1am, I was trying to figure out “how do I keep going?” “I don’t know how to help them anymore” and then I saw this quote, “Be strong enough to stand alone, smart enough to know when you need help, and brave enough to ask for it”.
So here I am asking for your help, I’m reaching out to you for assistance for my Mom.
Anyone who has met my Mom knows she cooks amazing food, she loves giving gifts, and looks 20 years younger than me lol. Early this year my Mom was convinced by a doctor that she could remove her tumor. Mom had a 3.5+inch tumor in between her heart and left lung. She has received surgery and was recovering well from the first surgery in July but she has been diagnosed with a pleural effusion soon after. She had a 2nd surgery last month to find out where the fluid was coming from, but it was unsuccessful (a second opinion was obtained as well). A 3rd surgery was suggested by the doctor but Mom and the family decided to get her transferred to the Lung Center of the Philippines for another opinion where she currently has been since last week.
My Mom’s expenses have occurred and continue to grow each day due to hospitalization and medical treatments. Any donations will go directly to my Mom and the family to cover the costs of her surgeries, hospital stay, and medications.
I’m asking my friends and family to help with anything you can so my Mom can focus on healing. So many of you have reached out asking how you can help her, outside of your prayers. Supporting my Mom with whatever you can give and help relieve the financial burden would be greatly appreciated. With financial assistance, my Mom and family can focus on getting her back to healthy and strong.
The outpouring of love, prayers and support that we’ve received – from friends, family, even strangers – has been truly overwhelming, and so very much appreciated. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for taking the time to read this. We appreciate every donation, and if not, prayers please! We hope to someday pay it forward.
If you have any questions on making a donation, please don't hesitate to contact me directly with a private message if you’re interested in lending support in other capacities including:
· Sending financial help directly to a private bank account in the Philippines or the U.S. (GoFundMe's fee is 5%+ from each donation)
· Donating air miles (any airline) to enable me to visit my Mom in the future or for her to return to the States when she gets better.
Follow us on #LivingTheLifeOfAJ for updates.
Help spread the word and may God Bless you today and always.
That’s a question I ask myself each time I open my eyes… and this won’t be short.
I’m Abigail, or Abby as most of you know me.
As you know, my husband John is a Kidney Warrior and my Mom, Charito or Aida as many know her, has been in and out of the hospital since last year.
And the past few months have been really hard on my family and honestly, me. It’s an ongoing feeling of helplessness especially right after John and I were in a car accident last Thursday.
See I don’t know how to make this “not about ME”, but it’s about me trying to CONTINUE TO HELP the ones I love.
Everyone (I think) reaches a point in their lives where they feel like… it’s the end and there’s nowhere else to go, or even when everyone around you tells you or thinks you are strong, but deep inside you know you’re really not, no matter how hard you try. And I know God is control. Trust me I do, and I know that, and I believe that and hope for that. But last night, I hit that point, and I didn’t cry, I didn’t scream and shout, I didn’t hurt myself, but I was just numb. And while browsing through the net, because that’s the only thing I could do at 1am, I was trying to figure out “how do I keep going?” “I don’t know how to help them anymore” and then I saw this quote, “Be strong enough to stand alone, smart enough to know when you need help, and brave enough to ask for it”.
So here I am asking for your help, I’m reaching out to you for assistance for my Mom.
Anyone who has met my Mom knows she cooks amazing food, she loves giving gifts, and looks 20 years younger than me lol. Early this year my Mom was convinced by a doctor that she could remove her tumor. Mom had a 3.5+inch tumor in between her heart and left lung. She has received surgery and was recovering well from the first surgery in July but she has been diagnosed with a pleural effusion soon after. She had a 2nd surgery last month to find out where the fluid was coming from, but it was unsuccessful (a second opinion was obtained as well). A 3rd surgery was suggested by the doctor but Mom and the family decided to get her transferred to the Lung Center of the Philippines for another opinion where she currently has been since last week.
My Mom’s expenses have occurred and continue to grow each day due to hospitalization and medical treatments. Any donations will go directly to my Mom and the family to cover the costs of her surgeries, hospital stay, and medications.
I’m asking my friends and family to help with anything you can so my Mom can focus on healing. So many of you have reached out asking how you can help her, outside of your prayers. Supporting my Mom with whatever you can give and help relieve the financial burden would be greatly appreciated. With financial assistance, my Mom and family can focus on getting her back to healthy and strong.
The outpouring of love, prayers and support that we’ve received – from friends, family, even strangers – has been truly overwhelming, and so very much appreciated. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for taking the time to read this. We appreciate every donation, and if not, prayers please! We hope to someday pay it forward.
If you have any questions on making a donation, please don't hesitate to contact me directly with a private message if you’re interested in lending support in other capacities including:
· Sending financial help directly to a private bank account in the Philippines or the U.S. (GoFundMe's fee is 5%+ from each donation)
· Donating air miles (any airline) to enable me to visit my Mom in the future or for her to return to the States when she gets better.
Follow us on #LivingTheLifeOfAJ for updates.
Help spread the word and may God Bless you today and always.
Organizer
Abby Sarno
Organizer
San Diego, CA
