A Kidney for an Aspiring Nurse
Donation protected
On August 4, 2014, I was stricken with fear when I received a phone call from the Philippines that my 29 year old son, Edward, got seriously ill. He was brought to the Emergency Room after he complained of severe shortness of breath. His blood pressure was 220/140. His lungs were filled with fluid. His kidneys shut down. He had to be placed on a breathing machine and maintained there for several weeks. Aggressive medications were given to lower his blood pressure with not much success. Emergency dialysis was needed to alleviate his fluid overload, improve his breathing, and eventually lower his blood pressure. He was fighting for his life. Every minute seemed to be forever. I asked God to spare him and guide all the doctors and nurses to help my son live. I felt helpless.
It is hard to understand, a young man so full of life, lying in bed fighting for his life. Even as a child, Edward has been so vibrant and goal oriented. Edward is the smallest of the twin brothers. He finished a degree in nursing. However due to the shortage of nursing opportunities in the Philippines, he was working in fast food establishments getting paid the minimum wage. He was trying to prepare for his nursing board exam and work on his application to work overseas. When this event happened, his chance for a better job and better future was cut short. While he was going through these, Edward’s daughter, Princess, was just a baby. Princess’ growing up is a bittersweet moment for him. Will he be around to watch his daughter grow?
Edward is uninsured. Access to medical care in the Philippines is a challenge. His hospital bills, laboratory tests and other tests, doctors bills, medications and dialysis solutions although discounted are all out of pocket expenses. Edward gets assistance from the government for some dialysis sessions. Our family is pulling all our resources together to assist Edward but his enormous medical care is an issue we cannot sustain.
After an exhaustive work up, it was found that Edward’s kidneys were small and had been slowly failing overtime. He had congenitally small kidneys, being the smaller of the twins. He did not feel any symptoms for many years even when his blood pressure was high. Edward never felt he had any medical problem, until this crisis came.
Edward goes through hemodialysis twice a week, 4 hours each session. He feels the pain and exhaustion of each procedure every time. He is emotionally affected by his own experience, and the people around him in the dialysis center who are going through the same thing.
Edward’s dream was to be a nurse since he was young.He wanted to provide for his family. However his hemodialysis schedules, medical appointments, and the time seeking assistance from the government now became his full time job. There are times he gets short of breath in between his dialysis days but he needs to be out there to get medical assistance. He currently works at home doing odd jobs to help with everyday expenses despite his physical and medical constraints.
Edward is very depressed. He does not want to continue this way. He is always apologizing for being a burden to all of us. I have to remind him that we all love him and that he has to be brave to keep on living, especially for his daughter, Princess.
Edward’s choice is between a lifetime of hemodialysis or a kidney transplant. Edward’s nephrologists advise him that a kidney transplant will give him a better quality of life .
My family has been very supportive for his wish of a kidney transplant. However the kidney transplant cost for his particular situation is approximately $50000 not including the post transplant medications that he has to take forever and the follow-up medical expenses to ensure transplant success.
I wish to appeal to others to help my whole family and I in this endeavor of giving Edward a gift of life. Maybe one day Edward will be a nurse. It would mean so much to him. Your generosity will be very much appreciated.
My sincerest gratitude for all of your help. God Bless!
It is hard to understand, a young man so full of life, lying in bed fighting for his life. Even as a child, Edward has been so vibrant and goal oriented. Edward is the smallest of the twin brothers. He finished a degree in nursing. However due to the shortage of nursing opportunities in the Philippines, he was working in fast food establishments getting paid the minimum wage. He was trying to prepare for his nursing board exam and work on his application to work overseas. When this event happened, his chance for a better job and better future was cut short. While he was going through these, Edward’s daughter, Princess, was just a baby. Princess’ growing up is a bittersweet moment for him. Will he be around to watch his daughter grow?
Edward is uninsured. Access to medical care in the Philippines is a challenge. His hospital bills, laboratory tests and other tests, doctors bills, medications and dialysis solutions although discounted are all out of pocket expenses. Edward gets assistance from the government for some dialysis sessions. Our family is pulling all our resources together to assist Edward but his enormous medical care is an issue we cannot sustain.
After an exhaustive work up, it was found that Edward’s kidneys were small and had been slowly failing overtime. He had congenitally small kidneys, being the smaller of the twins. He did not feel any symptoms for many years even when his blood pressure was high. Edward never felt he had any medical problem, until this crisis came.
Edward goes through hemodialysis twice a week, 4 hours each session. He feels the pain and exhaustion of each procedure every time. He is emotionally affected by his own experience, and the people around him in the dialysis center who are going through the same thing.
Edward’s dream was to be a nurse since he was young.He wanted to provide for his family. However his hemodialysis schedules, medical appointments, and the time seeking assistance from the government now became his full time job. There are times he gets short of breath in between his dialysis days but he needs to be out there to get medical assistance. He currently works at home doing odd jobs to help with everyday expenses despite his physical and medical constraints.
Edward is very depressed. He does not want to continue this way. He is always apologizing for being a burden to all of us. I have to remind him that we all love him and that he has to be brave to keep on living, especially for his daughter, Princess.
Edward’s choice is between a lifetime of hemodialysis or a kidney transplant. Edward’s nephrologists advise him that a kidney transplant will give him a better quality of life .
My family has been very supportive for his wish of a kidney transplant. However the kidney transplant cost for his particular situation is approximately $50000 not including the post transplant medications that he has to take forever and the follow-up medical expenses to ensure transplant success.
I wish to appeal to others to help my whole family and I in this endeavor of giving Edward a gift of life. Maybe one day Edward will be a nurse. It would mean so much to him. Your generosity will be very much appreciated.
My sincerest gratitude for all of your help. God Bless!
Organizer
Lucina Lapatar
Organizer
Artesia, CA