It was June 24, 2008 when God gave us our sweet little angel. We named her “Naomi Nicolette.” I was there when my younger sister, Miracle, gave birth. Excitement, happiness, and joy flooded in our family. The baby stayed in my sister’s room. The doctor informed me that the baby needs to undergo antibiotic IV due to urinary tract infection (UTI) for one (1) week, so I had to take a leave from work so that I could nurse my niece. I remembered, I felt pain seeing Noami cried every time I gave the antibiotic IV push via heplock at her foot. After a month, we went to a pediatric cardiologist in Pagsanjan , Laguna. 2D Echocardiogram was done and the doctor said that our baby has
Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA), a congenital heart disease where an artery of the heart called
ductus arteriosus fails to close after birth. We were relieved because the doctor said it will close when the baby grow old. After a month again, I received a call from my sister and reported that Naomi’s lips turned blue and look dizzy. These symptoms called TET spells including rapid deep breathing, fainting/loss of consciousness, increasing blueness (cyanosis) of the lips, tongue and nailbeds, and irritability or uncontrolled crying are the symptoms of Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). I was very particular of these symptoms because I am a nurse. We brought her to Cardinal Santos Medical Center for another opinion. She underwent 2D Echocardiogram for the second time and the doctor told us that she has three (3) holes in her heart known as Tetralogy of Fallot. He said that she needs to undergo operation as soon as possible. My sister cried and desperate what to do and what is the best for her baby. I decided to find another doctor, hopefully from the Philippine Heart Center. But we do not know anyone working in the Philippine Heart Center that could introduce us to a better cardiologist. My eldest sister, Maridel, asked help to her friend who is working as secretary of a doctor in National Kidney and Transplant Institute, and we were referred to Dr. Jonas of Philippine Children Medical Center. My sister was very depressed at that time and when we went to the Philippine Children Medical Hospital for Naomi’s check up. I told her, “Daga, we are still lucky because Naomi’s problem has 99% recovery. We just have to raise money for her operation.” After check-up, Dr. Jonas talked to us and explained that Naomi did not need the operation as soon as possible because Naomi with Tetralogy of Fallot, has a good oxygenation, after checking her oxygen saturation of 90%. Dr. Jonas explained more that if the oxygen saturation dropped to 60% and below we need to operate her immediately. Many questions arise – How much will we need for Naomi’s operation? Where will she be operated? What is the prognosis? All questions were answered. And according to Dr. Jonas, the needed amount for Naomi’s operation is probably P500,000.00 and she will be operated at the Philippine Heart Center. He gave us prescription for Naomi’s condition, Propranolol Inderal 2.5 mg paper tab.
We were worried about Naomi’s operation in Philippine Heart Center because we do not know to whom we are going to approach about her operation. We do not have money for the operation. Our father already left my mom and us. My mother is a house wife taking care of my nephew, Miguel, who’s mom currently working at Singapore as domestic helper to provide his needs, and my youngest sister, April.
At that time, it seems that we were so blessed because the Philippine Heart Center called me for an interview for job as staff nurse. I was so happy and excited. One year had passed and Naomi grew up so thin, her dose of medicine increased and good thing she took her medications like a polvoron. We never had a hard time giving her medications. The Philippine Heart Center called me again for the final interview and I was hired. I was able to learn Naomi’s condition. I was able to find a good doctor who can operate my niece and even a cardiologist who can check on Noami’s health. I was referred to Doctor Gamponia, a pediatric cardiologist whose husband a cardio-thoracic surgeon operating children with Naomi’s case. All we need is to raise money for the operation. My sister decided to work abroad. I decided to stay for Naomi’s care until she finishes her operation.
We were able to ask assistance to Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, but according to them, we can only avail their help after submitting the official receipt of Naomi’s surgery. We cannot afford the initial expenses even if we combine all our financial resources.
One method to raise funds for Naomi’s illness in my mind was to make a blogsite about Naomi, explaining her condition. By then, we could move on through other means of collecting funds for her surgery. We are targeting Naomi’s operation this year so that she would not left behind in her education.
We are deeply asking your kind heart to support Naomi’s surgery combining all our efforts to raise funds needed to save our precious angel. Thank you very much.
Morena D. Liwag
(Aunt of Naomi Nicolette L. Balmores)
