Carlyn my 10-year old daughter, has been hospitalized in the Philippines since November 8 this year. Health care in the Philippines is mostly private, expensive and definitely not free. This and the text that follows are the reasons why I am reaching out here.

Carlyn was initially diagnosed with osteomyelitis and fibula fracture which affected her right lower leg. She had an accident 2 weeks prior. The doctors planned to do surgery on the affected leg to remove the pus forming inside. Then on November 9, they diagnosed her with Rheumatic heart fever on top of osteomyelitis. The doctors cancelled the surgery as it would be unsafe and said they will just manage it conservatively, i.e. with strong antibiotics and pain relievers.

A week passed and, nothing changed. In fact her situation became worse. Her temperature shot up, she had so much pain in her leg, and the swelling on her leg became worse too. Her hemoglobin was low as well. So the doctor’s controlled the pain and temperature, gave her stronger antibiotics, transfused blood and eventually performed emergency surgery on her leg when it was deemed most suitable to go ahead.

As of the moment, she is recovering from the surgery and the infection. She is still being given strong antibiotics through her veins and pain relievers. The surgery done to her was called fasciotomy. It is an open wound and the purpose is so that the doctors are sure that there won’t be anymore pus forming inside. She’s got two (2) surgical wounds which are a bit big, one at the back of her lower leg and the other is on her shin. The doctors want the wound to granulate and be free from infection, then they will do a second surgery for skin grafting. Rehabilitation will then follow so that she will be able to walk as normally as possible again.

We need any help that can be given for all of these to be possible. I have exhausted all of my resources (including taking out a bank loan) and hopefully with your help, we’d be able to push forward with all of her required treatment. It’s a long road to recovery but we are trying to have a positive outlook on this matter.

Your aid to help her recover will be the best Christmas gift ever!