Aunt Lydia and her Bulbar Palsy
Donation protected
5 years ago, my Aunt Lydia (we call her Tita Uda, or Tita Uds) was diagnosed of a disease called "Bulbar Palsy". Just for a short background about Bulbar palsy, it is basically a disease that targets the brainstem that is needed for swallowing, talking, speaking, chewing and other functions. And this disease has no cure. The treatments that can be done are only to help people with this disease to cope with the symptoms. Right now, my Aunt can only get her nutrients through the feeding tube attached to her belly. She is non-verbal now, and only make facial expressions, groan when she feels pain or doesn't want what was happening around her.
A little background about my aunt's amazing, happy life. She raised 3 beautiful children and raised them on her own as my Uncle Benny passed away too soon (and also with the help of one of her sisters and brothers). But I always remember how fun it is to come visit my Aunt Lydia's house in Pasig City (btw, that's in the Philippines). And also, she is my dad's younger sister. Our Christmas and New Years with them is always fun and memorable. All my cousins in my dad's side will be present, together with all the aunts and uncles having a feast, sharing stories, laughing and yelling at each other nonstop. My Aunt is also a grandmother with 4 beautiful grandchildren from two of her kids (3 from her first daughter and 1 from his youngest son). The reason that I am made this page is to help my cousins back home to pay for the expenses and the hospital bills that the whole family are trying to save up.
As you guys can see on the first picture, this was way back in 2018 and her disease did not progress that much yet. My aunt is a very jolly, talkative and friendly person, she loves going out with her high school friends. They all love her stories and she will always talk about how cute and silly her grandkids are. It was just few years ago when she was enjoying herself since all my cousins (her kids) are all grown up, have professional jobs, and have their own family.
My Aunt's situation right now:
Recently, my cousins ended up sending my Aunt Lydia to hospital due to pneumonia and having trouble breathing. As we all know, because of the pandemic and her symptoms, she was put into a room were all COVID patients are seen. She was also in ventilator due to her decreasing oxygen level. My cousins were very anxious as they don't know what was happening since they are not allowed to see her. With all the prayers of the family and friends and help of the doctors and nurses at the hospital that she is currently in, my aunt is now moved to a regular room with no COVID patients and my cousins can come and see her. But another procedure needs to be done to her. They want to do a tracheostomy, were they put a tube in the neck to allow more airway. Meaning, another set of hospital bills are gonna add up on the top of the expenses that they haven't paid. I am not sure of when will they can do the procedure (if they need the money first or not) but all I know is that our family is doing the best that we can in supporting our family back home.
I am kindly asking for help to support my Aunt Lydia's expenses and to help support her family during this time. Any amount would help. And I also believe in the power of prayers. Please include our family to your prayers as we face this time of trials. Any amount will do, but A LOT of prayers will mean a lot to me and my family.
THANK YOU SO MUCH !! FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART <3
A little background about my aunt's amazing, happy life. She raised 3 beautiful children and raised them on her own as my Uncle Benny passed away too soon (and also with the help of one of her sisters and brothers). But I always remember how fun it is to come visit my Aunt Lydia's house in Pasig City (btw, that's in the Philippines). And also, she is my dad's younger sister. Our Christmas and New Years with them is always fun and memorable. All my cousins in my dad's side will be present, together with all the aunts and uncles having a feast, sharing stories, laughing and yelling at each other nonstop. My Aunt is also a grandmother with 4 beautiful grandchildren from two of her kids (3 from her first daughter and 1 from his youngest son). The reason that I am made this page is to help my cousins back home to pay for the expenses and the hospital bills that the whole family are trying to save up.
As you guys can see on the first picture, this was way back in 2018 and her disease did not progress that much yet. My aunt is a very jolly, talkative and friendly person, she loves going out with her high school friends. They all love her stories and she will always talk about how cute and silly her grandkids are. It was just few years ago when she was enjoying herself since all my cousins (her kids) are all grown up, have professional jobs, and have their own family.
My Aunt's situation right now:
Recently, my cousins ended up sending my Aunt Lydia to hospital due to pneumonia and having trouble breathing. As we all know, because of the pandemic and her symptoms, she was put into a room were all COVID patients are seen. She was also in ventilator due to her decreasing oxygen level. My cousins were very anxious as they don't know what was happening since they are not allowed to see her. With all the prayers of the family and friends and help of the doctors and nurses at the hospital that she is currently in, my aunt is now moved to a regular room with no COVID patients and my cousins can come and see her. But another procedure needs to be done to her. They want to do a tracheostomy, were they put a tube in the neck to allow more airway. Meaning, another set of hospital bills are gonna add up on the top of the expenses that they haven't paid. I am not sure of when will they can do the procedure (if they need the money first or not) but all I know is that our family is doing the best that we can in supporting our family back home.
I am kindly asking for help to support my Aunt Lydia's expenses and to help support her family during this time. Any amount would help. And I also believe in the power of prayers. Please include our family to your prayers as we face this time of trials. Any amount will do, but A LOT of prayers will mean a lot to me and my family.
THANK YOU SO MUCH !! FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART <3
Organizer
Kathleen An Reyes
Organizer
Mississauga, ON