Asking for a little help

This is my nephew Jolo, who had his second stage surgery last June 23 2011, at Philippine Heart Center. The surgery lasted for 14 long hours. They have to re-open him because his valve is not functioning well. Jolo's parents were told to prepare Php 470,000 (USD 10,964) for the procedure, but because they have to replace his valve, they were charged double. The hospital bill  is now 600,000 (USD 13,996). Doctors' fees not yet included. Can I ask a little help from your lodge? Thank you so much for any amount you could wholeheartedly share. God Bless.

Jolo's second stage surgery: Fontan Procedure

Wikipedia: The Fontan procedure, or Fontan/Kreutzer procedure, is a palliative surgical procedure used in children with complex congenital heart defects. It involves diverting the venous blood from theright atrium to the pulmonary arteries without passing through the morphologic pulmonary ventricle. It was initially described in 1971 by Dr Fontan and Dr Kreutzer separately as a surgical treatment fortricuspid atresia.

Indications
The Fontan procedure has more recently been used in pediatric situations where an infant only has a single effective ventricle, either due to heart valve defects (e.g. tricuspid or pulmonary atresia) or an abnormality of the pumping ability of the heart (e.g. hypoplastic left heart syndrome, hypoplastic right heart syndrome), or has complex congenital heart disease where a bi-ventricular repair is impossible or inadvisable.

Children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome have a single effective ventricle supplying blood to the lungs and the body (either from birth or after an initial surgery e.g. Norwood procedure). They are delicately balanced between inadequate blood supply to the lungs (causing cyanosis) and oversupply to the lungs (causing heart failure). In addition, the single ventricle is doing nearly twice the expected amount of work (because it has to pump blood for both lungs and body). As a result, these children can have trouble gaining weight, and are also vulnerable to decompensation in the face of otherwise minor illnesses (even a common cold). Sometimes medications (e.g. diuretics) can help them through this stage.

Gift of Time

"We went to heart center yesterday for supposed to be Jolo's second surgery. Dra Azcueta had Jolo for 2d echo, the result was good. She said it is better than last September. She agreed to have the surgery dererred for 2 months.We thank GOD for this GIFT of time. Again thank you for being GOD's ANGELS. thank you for the financial assistance,for the moral support,for the endless prayers. Thank you for the LOVE"

- Ricky, Joy, Sofia & JOLO

Jolo's Second Surgery

Dear friends,

Greetings! Once again, I am writing a difficult letter,humbling myself in asking for your assistance. My son Luis Jolo was born with Multiple Cyanotic Heart disease (Ostium Primum,Single ventricle,Single AV Valve,Malposed Great Arteries,Pulmonary Stenosis,) and also Situs Invertus. At the age of 17 days, a doctor told us that my son will not live beyond a year.

But with our parental hearts,and with prayers and financial help from many of you, Jolo had his first heart surgery in May 2006.He was then 3 years old.His pedia cardio Dra. Azcueta of Phil.Heart Center,visiting surgeon Dr. Serafin De Leon and his team performed a Glenn Shunt Procedure..Allowing a near normal oxygenation and helping an overworked Heart. Jolo tolerated it well.Even then,we were told that another operation will have to be done in 3 to 4years.

In 2009,her sister Sofia was belatedly diagnosed also with Atrial Septal Defect (ASD).While it was not as complicated as Jolo's, She too had to go thru an open heart surgery last May 19,2010 at Phil.Heart center. At that time, Dra. Azcueta was saying that Jolo's second operation should already be scheduled,(FONTAN PROCEDURE).She wanted it done before the end of the year,since Dr.DeLeon is in Manila.But we dont have enough funds yet.

The estimated cost of the surgery is close to half a million,roughly the same amount for each of the two previous surgeries done to my 2 children. The doctor said that the operation will give Jolo a chance to reach adulthood.Please HELP Jolo have that CHANCE.

Thank you for all the support that you have given us in the past and have been continually giving us.May all of us have a MERRY CHRISTMAS.

Love,                                                                 
JOY