Mom's fund for cancer surgery
Donation protected
My name is Pam. I am originally from the Philippines. My husband, child, and I live in Japan for my husband’s work as an educator. Our permanent home is in North Dakota, USA. After a recent visit to the Philippines (August, 2016), my Mom, Corsina Flores (69), began complaining about abdominal discomfort. She felt full after even the smallest intake of food.
I immediately sent her to a clinic and have it checked. X-ray and ultrasound showed abnormalities. She was admitted to the hospital. Doctors performed a colonoscopy, which revealed a 4cm tumor on her large intestine. The next step was a biopsy. The waiting game caused deep anxiety, especially for my siblings and extended family. All we could do, though, was wait for the results of the biopsy. On September 13, 2016, the doctor confirmed our worse fears: Mom was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer.
We were devastated with the news! Mom has always lived a healthy lifestyle, no smoking or drinking. She would be the last person anyone would expect to get sick.
My entire family will stand behind my Mom as she fights this disease. Right now, she needs surgery before disease gets worse. It is scheduled on September 23, 2016. My family and I have come to a point where we need financial assistance. My husband and I are, of course, contributing, but we cannot shoulder the entire amount. For this reason, I am reaching out for broader support through GoFundMe. Mom needs to have Cytoreductive surgery; a 12 hour procedure.
The Philippine medical establishment is different from the West. In a public hospital, the patient must take greater responsibility for the costs, including professional fee of the surgeon, anesthesiologist, and assistants, supplies and apparatuses involved. Beyond the cost of the surgery, here are some of the preparations:
1) On 9/15, a nephrostomy procedure was performed in which doctors inserted a tube in to her abdomen to drain urine.
2) Her creatinine level is too high, so she will need dialysis 3x before further treatment can begin.
3) Providing her kidneys will be regulated, the next step will be a paracentesis procedure where they drain ascites fluids from her abdomen.
4) Following this, surgeons can perform the surgery to remove the cancerous tumor.
5) The surgeon predicts, Mom will need to be in the ICU for 3 days after the procedure.
6) The surgeon predicts additional 5 to 7 days in her regular room before Mom can return home.
For this reason, we need to raise funds to cover the cost of my Mom’s care and surgery. I humbly ask for your assistance to help my Mom raise the money needed to make this surgery a reality. While this is not a road we thought we would walk, we continue to learn about the grace and goodness of God, friends, neighbors, and kindhearted people. Thank you very much for taking time and consideration. God bless you.
I immediately sent her to a clinic and have it checked. X-ray and ultrasound showed abnormalities. She was admitted to the hospital. Doctors performed a colonoscopy, which revealed a 4cm tumor on her large intestine. The next step was a biopsy. The waiting game caused deep anxiety, especially for my siblings and extended family. All we could do, though, was wait for the results of the biopsy. On September 13, 2016, the doctor confirmed our worse fears: Mom was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer.
We were devastated with the news! Mom has always lived a healthy lifestyle, no smoking or drinking. She would be the last person anyone would expect to get sick.
My entire family will stand behind my Mom as she fights this disease. Right now, she needs surgery before disease gets worse. It is scheduled on September 23, 2016. My family and I have come to a point where we need financial assistance. My husband and I are, of course, contributing, but we cannot shoulder the entire amount. For this reason, I am reaching out for broader support through GoFundMe. Mom needs to have Cytoreductive surgery; a 12 hour procedure.
The Philippine medical establishment is different from the West. In a public hospital, the patient must take greater responsibility for the costs, including professional fee of the surgeon, anesthesiologist, and assistants, supplies and apparatuses involved. Beyond the cost of the surgery, here are some of the preparations:
1) On 9/15, a nephrostomy procedure was performed in which doctors inserted a tube in to her abdomen to drain urine.
2) Her creatinine level is too high, so she will need dialysis 3x before further treatment can begin.
3) Providing her kidneys will be regulated, the next step will be a paracentesis procedure where they drain ascites fluids from her abdomen.
4) Following this, surgeons can perform the surgery to remove the cancerous tumor.
5) The surgeon predicts, Mom will need to be in the ICU for 3 days after the procedure.
6) The surgeon predicts additional 5 to 7 days in her regular room before Mom can return home.
For this reason, we need to raise funds to cover the cost of my Mom’s care and surgery. I humbly ask for your assistance to help my Mom raise the money needed to make this surgery a reality. While this is not a road we thought we would walk, we continue to learn about the grace and goodness of God, friends, neighbors, and kindhearted people. Thank you very much for taking time and consideration. God bless you.
Organizer
Pamela Flores Walsh
Organizer
Valley City, ND