Help Fix Charmaine’s Heart
Donation protected
I have so much I need to say about my campaign, and I’m having a tough time trying to get it all across.
44 year old Charmaine has been suffering from Atrial Septal Defect since she was a child but she didn’t let that stop her from enjoying life and being the best mom she could ever be to my brother and I. My mom is vibrant and full of life despite having this condition, but as years passed by, the hole in her heart grew bigger and is still continuing to grow larger.
Last year she started complaining about how it became so hard for her to breathe and simple activities like walking can really wear her out. I also noticed that my mom lost her weight drastically, and that really scared me.
One day, I was finally able to convince her to go to the doctor. My mom went to two hospitals, and two heart specialist and she received the same result - she needs to do a heart surgery, right away.
First, let me help you understand what Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) is. ASD is a hole in the wall between the two upper chambers of your heart (atria). The condition is present at birth (congenital). Large and long-standing atrial septal defects can damage your heart and lungs. An adult who has had an undetected atrial septal defect for decades may have a shortened life span from heart failure or high blood pressure that affects the arteries in the lungs.
We were informed that there are two options to close a “hole” in the heart. One being an open-heart surgery and the other is a Cardiac Catheterization or a patch.
I was originally financially prepared to pay for my mom’s cardiac catheterization using all of my savings but after doing a series of medical exams, we found out that unfortunately, the hole in her heart is too large for a patch and an open-heart is the only way we can fix it. The cost of the open-heart surgery is unfortunately twice as much as the cardiac patch. It is a more sensitive procedure and we have to make sure that we can get her scheduled as soon as possible.
And now my friends, I am humbly requesting for any help you can offer. The costs of the surgery, hospitalization, doctors’ fee, and medicine are way more than what I have anticipated. I am 6,609 miles away from my mother and I feel helpless. To make matters a little more challenging is that the Philippines (my home country) does not have a good public health care accessible to everyone in need.
Despite being financially challenged, we have to do it because it is the only way. And now folks, we are preparing to get her scheduled for an operation as soon as possible.
I originally didn’t want to do crowdfunding because it makes me really uncomfortable asking help from people. It’s just that, my mom critically needs help and I would do everything I can to help her, not just because she’s my mother but because I know that she would do the same for me. I know in my heart that all of you would do the same for your mothers too.
Any amount or just by sharing this post will be greatly appreciated. I will post updates from time to time and know that everything is genuinely treasured.
From the bottom of my heart, may I humbly ask for your help to help fix Charmaine’s heart?
44 year old Charmaine has been suffering from Atrial Septal Defect since she was a child but she didn’t let that stop her from enjoying life and being the best mom she could ever be to my brother and I. My mom is vibrant and full of life despite having this condition, but as years passed by, the hole in her heart grew bigger and is still continuing to grow larger.
Last year she started complaining about how it became so hard for her to breathe and simple activities like walking can really wear her out. I also noticed that my mom lost her weight drastically, and that really scared me.
One day, I was finally able to convince her to go to the doctor. My mom went to two hospitals, and two heart specialist and she received the same result - she needs to do a heart surgery, right away.
First, let me help you understand what Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) is. ASD is a hole in the wall between the two upper chambers of your heart (atria). The condition is present at birth (congenital). Large and long-standing atrial septal defects can damage your heart and lungs. An adult who has had an undetected atrial septal defect for decades may have a shortened life span from heart failure or high blood pressure that affects the arteries in the lungs.
We were informed that there are two options to close a “hole” in the heart. One being an open-heart surgery and the other is a Cardiac Catheterization or a patch.
I was originally financially prepared to pay for my mom’s cardiac catheterization using all of my savings but after doing a series of medical exams, we found out that unfortunately, the hole in her heart is too large for a patch and an open-heart is the only way we can fix it. The cost of the open-heart surgery is unfortunately twice as much as the cardiac patch. It is a more sensitive procedure and we have to make sure that we can get her scheduled as soon as possible.
And now my friends, I am humbly requesting for any help you can offer. The costs of the surgery, hospitalization, doctors’ fee, and medicine are way more than what I have anticipated. I am 6,609 miles away from my mother and I feel helpless. To make matters a little more challenging is that the Philippines (my home country) does not have a good public health care accessible to everyone in need.
Despite being financially challenged, we have to do it because it is the only way. And now folks, we are preparing to get her scheduled for an operation as soon as possible.
I originally didn’t want to do crowdfunding because it makes me really uncomfortable asking help from people. It’s just that, my mom critically needs help and I would do everything I can to help her, not just because she’s my mother but because I know that she would do the same for me. I know in my heart that all of you would do the same for your mothers too.
Any amount or just by sharing this post will be greatly appreciated. I will post updates from time to time and know that everything is genuinely treasured.
From the bottom of my heart, may I humbly ask for your help to help fix Charmaine’s heart?
Organizer
Charlie Roque
Organizer
Seattle, WA
