Lifesaving Heart Operation for my Father

My Name is Trish and the photo above is of my beloved Parents, Merilyn and Patricio.

I have been hesitant to come to this platform to seek financial help as I try and exhaust all other options simultaneously in the background. It's not that I am embarrassed, but I have a rigid and strict upbringing that, on the positive side, made me an independent woman in my adult years. I am the breadwinner for my family and lovingly continue to do so with all my heart.

I am here, reaching out, and some that don't even know me, hoping I can get some help for my very ill 'Tatay' (Father) due to his worsening heart condition. He requires cardiax heart surgery as soon as possible.

He has been battling this cardiac condition for three decades, already once having bypass surgery nearly 20yrs ago. He retired from working as a ship captain in the UAE and decided to run a ferry boat business from the island where my parents permanently reside. My Father is tied to the sea, it has always been an integral part of his life.

His beloved ferry boat that was not only his pride and joy but served his community was destroyed three years ago, wrecked by a powerful Philippine typhoon, which nearly took my Father’s life. That was a terrifying moment for my family and myself waiting to hear if he had survived. It was a huge relief when he was located and returned to us. My little Nephew, Lucas who was five at the time, understood the gravitas of the situation, saying “It’s ok Lolo-Tatay (Grand Dad)” handed his savings from a piggy bank and continuously said “I will buy you a bigger boat, a Ship!’

I visited my family in the Philippines just last month after years of not seeing them due to the Pandemic, and I am shocked how my parents grew much older, especially my Father. I was in denial or perhaps just could not bear to see his worsening condition. And that loving photo I took of my Nanay (Mom) and Tatay (Dad), when I took them for mini holiday in the country (province) away from the city. I just love that photo. And so, leaving them to go back to overseas to work was very sad and with mixed emotions especially knowing my Father is so seriously ill.

Some of us working or living overseaa are lucky able to have a better Public Health system. But this is not the case in third world countries like the Philippines.

My Father was taken to the ER late last week after waking up with heart pains and trouble breathing. My Mother (with the help of a neighbour) decided to get my Father to the hospital ER as this time it was more serious and my mom is scared of a much more serious heart attack/stroke (plus its not very easy to travel to a hospital in the Philippines).

Upon arrival to the ER, initial findings from the doctor that he required emergency surgery, the only catch is money, deposit. We mentioned if we can get assistance from charity on site at the hospital but we were told my Father along with my Mother have to queue up (the queues to charity is very long, and there are no guarantees.)

I am trying to exhaust every avenue but I am also feeling helpless. I have been wanting to fly back to be the one to deal with everything and not by my poor mother, but the airfare is so expensive, I'd rather have it sent for hospital bills.

It took over a day until they got a room and two days to get an angiogram done for my Father. The verdict is he urgently requires further Bypass surgery.

I am writing this after recent events mentioned above and I feel like I am running out of options and time. I have very little savings, enough for a hospital stay but not for the operation.

I am pleading and need someone’s help for my Father.

I apologise if my writing is all out of sorts. I must admit I am not in the right headspace either writing this but I have to try for my Father.

Thank you for your time reading this and your consideration. If you wish to ask me any questions or clarify any details please do not hesitate to ask.