Help Bernardo "Bernie" Puno's Medical Expenses

I would like to share a story of my dad's fulfillment of his dreams in life, Bernardo Puno, we often call him "Apung Bernie". One time he had a dream of going to Canada to visit me, my husband, his grandchildren, nephews and sister who he didn't see for a very long time. To see the snow for the first time and the amazing poster like view of the Rockies in Alberta. It was the happiest day of his life when he got a Canada Tourist Visa. He is staying in our place in Lethbridge since he came last year (summer).

Unfortunately, when the first wave of the pandemic we cannot bring him outside because of the restrictions and lock down. During lock down, we noticed that he's experiencing homesickness, depression and missing his family back home. 

On the morning of November 17, 2020, dad went downstairs to have a breakfast with us like as usual morning routine. Everything seems normal except for he didn't recognize us. At this point, I knew there's something serious going on so we rushed him to the emergency at Lethbridge Chinook Regional Hospital. He was diagnosed with a severe ischemic stroke. 

On November 23, 2020, my husband and I had a meeting with the social worker, dad's attending physician and the stroke department of the hospital. The meeting was all about how we will going to pay my dad's current hospital bill, future medication, long term medication and doctor's professional fee. My dad doesn't have a health insurance in Canada as he's holding a visitor's visa.

As of November 23, the estimated hospital bill of my dad was $30,000 and counting. So that was more or less $3,400/day, medication, lab test, MRI, CT scan, etc. We were told by his doctors on November 25 that they might need to transfer his feeding tube to his stomach and need a surgery insert.

My Dad's condition right now is he can open both of his eyes, survived the first three days critical stage and there is no further tissue damage. He can communicate to us right now by moving his left hand, left foot and nodding. He can now move slightly his right hand. My dad is showing progression day by day and we know it will take some time for him to regain full recovery. The issue now, my dad is irritated on the feeding tube on his nose and the doctor told us if he continue to pull his tube from his nose, they might transfer the feeding tube to his stomach and he needs surgery for that. It was at that point when we realized that we needed help from our families, friends and communities. 

My dad is fighting for this and we know that by showing more progression. But they can't continue giving necessary medication and treatment care without funds. Our goal is to continue for what dad's needs for recovery and bring him home safe and healthy.

Thank you very much for your kindness.

SIincerely,
Berna Galang