Plan B

Lucas' doctors have gone ahead with Plan B. not really sure what it is in technical terms, but it involves a graft of some sort to regulate the blood flowing into his lungs (before the procedure, his lungs were drowning from too much blood. apparently it is a much simpler procedure, one that can be supported by the equipment in the Philippine Heart Center.

He was operated on yesterday, March 25th at 7am. He is still in the recovery room, hooked up to the heart and lung machine until his vital signs become 100% stable.

My mom told me that they have booked him in a Ward in the meantime, so that they can still qualify for medical aid. (Foundations and non-government organizations that give medical aid require patients to be in wards as opposed to semi-private rooms.) It works out fine though since Lucas will still be in the Intensive Care Unit for a few days anyway. According to my mom it was quite heartbreaking to see her grandson, pre-surgery, unable to get some sleep because he was in a room with 4 other patients (and of course we all know that in the Philippines, each patient has at least 2 or 3 family members at ALL times), and there was a TV in the room. now really, why can't people respect visiting hours - especially in a hospital that is for heart patients?

so anyway... that's where Lucas is at. please continue to pray for a speedy recovery so my sister can bring him home soon.

March 21, Big Sky Mind

We are still waiting to hear from the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne and the University of California, San Francisco but since it will be a private surgery, it will be costly. Lucas needs this operation at the soonest possible time so my sister, brother-in-law, and their friends have come up with a benefit jam session to raise money.

(We did get a reply from the Standford University Hospital but their cost estimate was a whopping $750,000 so the pediatric-cardiologist is looking for another hospital.)

If you are looking for somewhere to go on the 21ST OF MARCH, please please make your way to Big Sky Mind (New Manila, QC), and help us repair Lucas' broken heart.



I have no idea who these bands are but apparently the band Kjwan is mainstream. Take that plus the other bands and 2 drinks... it's well worth your P500. =)

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all your prayers... but don't stop now! =)

are you there God? it's me, Pia

Lucas hasn't gotten better since my last post. last week he started wheezing so my sister brought him to the doctor. she said that it was a sign of heart failure, and that they need surgery as soon as possible. monday he was admitted in the Philippine Heart Center, and was being prepped for surgery on wednesday. after his cardiac catheterization procedure, his doctors tell my sister that their surgical plan will not work because what he needs is more complex than what they can provide.

WTF?!

you would think that they would have known that 2 months back when Lucas was diagnosed with Truncus Arteriosus.

or they would should have told my sister that Plan B is to look for a hospital outside of the Philippines.

to top off all this frustration, Lucas was referred to the royal children's hospital in melbourne. i emailed them and asked for the requirements, but got an "unfortunately we cannot accept overseas patients at this time".

so we're on a pressure cooker hunt for a hospital and a sponsor - Lucas needs this operation within a week or two.

so God, if you are online, this is me sending out an SOS. send my sister a miracle please.