Janis' Site

I've modified this blog entry and included part of my previous blog, to make it more readable (no need to go to the previous blog entry).

Last month, August 14, my friend & former colleague Joan gave birth to a baby girl. The day before, Aug13, she was already having contractions, so they went to Asian Hospital in Alabang. According to Carlo, Joan's husband (also my friend & former colleague), she had to give birth via CS coz the baby's not coming out. When baby Hannah was born, they found out that she had pneumonia, and might have a congenital heart disease. Eventually, the heart disease was ruled out, and the pneumonia was treated. Unfortunately, even when the pneumonia was treated already, the baby still had difficulty breathing on her own, so she's in a respirator and in Asian Hospital's ICU. Until now, the baby's still in the hospital and her condition is very rare, like it might be even the first case in the Philippines. I ask for updates from some of our friends every now and then. Our only wish and prayers are that baby Hannah will improve and get well, and that Joan & Carlo would just hang on and be strong.

I was able to chat with Joan last night, and she told me that Hannah has Congenital Central Hypoventilation Syndrome (CCHS), also known as Ondine's Curse. She has difficulty berating when she's awake, so she has a ventilator. When she's asleep, she totally can't breath on her own. According to the doctors, Hannah might be the first case in the Philippines. CCHS is a lifelong disease and no cure yet.

For Hannah to breath, a tube was inserted through her mouth. But now they performed an operation called tracheostomy, wherein an incision was made on her neck so that the tube can pass through there. 

They are now in need of help. Their savings are all gone. Approximate total hospital bill now excludes the doctors' fee, and Hannah has 8 doctors. Hospital expenses in Asian Hospital is around 20k/day. They will be transferring to another hospital maybe within the week, after Hannah's operation has healed. Daily expenses there would be around 6k/day.

They are now sending letters to institutions for help, for assistance. If their requests are approved, then they can put tin cans in stores wherein people can put donations. If you see those tin cans around, please help them. If any of you are willing to give additional help, you can contact me for the meantime.

Please also include them in you prayers. Thank you.

Joan and Carlo's contact info:
joan: jscordoviz@yahoo.com; +63-917-859-5531
carlo: zivodrock@gmail.com; +63-915-311-1641

Hannah's Savings Account:
Bank: BPI (not BPI Family Bank)
Branch: BPI New Alabang
Account Name: Carlo Angelo B. Cordoviz/Joan S. Cordoviz ITF Hannah Ysabelle Cordoviz
Account No: 0333-3664-79