OpeRA: Patent Ductus Arteriosus Surgical Mission

Tuesday, 04 October 2011 15:28

Since its inception in 2007, Project OPERA or the Operating Room Assistance Program aims to support for the pediatric surgical patients of the Philippine General Hospital from ages 0-7 years. The project was conceived with knowledge that early intervention affects the quality of life and the future of young patients more significantly than those of an adult. The OPERA Program is funded by Phi Kappa Mu International, a non-profit corporation created by PHI brods based in the United States.

Last August 6, 2011, as part of the celebration of Buwan ng Pagkalma, the Phi Kappa Mu Fraternity sponsored the successful operation of six patients with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) under the leadership of Brod Jonas Del Rosario. Student Brods, along with some freshmen of Class 2016 were given an opportunity to observe this surgical procedure and enhance their skills in physical examination of patients with cardiac abnormalities through the supervision of Brod Jonas. They also got to meet the patients themselves; finding out more about their background, and how the disease has affected them and their families greatly. OpeRA also opens up great opportunities for learning and experience for the student brods, as they are encouraged to observe and assist in the operation themselves.

Already on its fifth year, Operating Room Assistance Program or “OpeRA” fundamentally aims to give financial assistance to indigent pediatric surgical patients of the PGH through provision of surgical needs and medications. Criteria for chosen beneficiaries include the patient’s prognosis, cost of treatment, and financial capacity. Upon selection of the patient, the fraternity, through OPERA, commits to provide all pertinent assistance such as financial support for pre and post-operative procedures and medications. For the surgical operation itself, the Phi Kappa Mu provides the best surgeons (most of them Phi alumni) available to conduct the procedure free of charge.

The event was covered by TV5's Alagang Kapatid, full video here.

For the complete set of images, click here.

PROFILES OF PDA PATIENTS

Ashly Sibunga

Clinically diagnosed with Patent Ductus Arteriosus when he was only six months old, Ashly De Veyra Sibunga is one of the six beneficiaries of the Operating Room Assistance Program of the Phi Kappa Mu.

Ashly is the youngest son of Monalisa and Arnold Sibunga of Leyte. Mr. Sibunga dries coconut or Kopra for a living, while Monalisa is a full-time housewife. Upon knowing about Ashly’s condition, the family feared that they would not be able to finance the treatment. Doctors warned them about the future consequences of their son’s condition when left untreated; hence both of them feel pressured and desperate sometimes to find the means for the surgery. During those times, they hope for Ashly to remain asymptomatic and relatively well for the longest time possible to buy them enough time to raise the necessary funds. Fortunately, as they say “may mabuting loob” that will sponsor their son’s operation.

Being relieved of the financial burdens of the operation, the family feels very thankful and thrilled for their dream of Ashly being like the other kids of his age will soon become a reality. Being informed about the possible consequences of PDA, Ashly’s parents feel somewhat more protective to him than to his other siblings. They often limit his physical activities for the fear of him becoming too tired and consequently collapsing due to lack of air, thus they look forward after the operation to seeing their son run as fast as he can without panting and gasping afterwards. However, they say that they are still apprehensive and worried about the operation for they know that complications could also arise while their son is undergoing the procedure. After the successful operation, the family hopes for a speedy recovery and perhaps some weight gain as well. They also expect Ashly to gain confidence in doing physical activities.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the people who made their son’s operation possible. In a SMS that they sent to one of the brods, her mother said “Lubos po kaming nagpapasalamat sa tulong ninyo, tatanawin po namin itong malaking utang na loob. Wala naman po kaming malaking bagay na maipapalit, pero nakatatak na po kayo sa aming puso. Binigyan niyo po ng pagkakataon na magkaroon ng normal na buhay ang anak ko. Diyos na lang po ang magpapala sa inyo. Pagpalain nawa kayo ng Panginoon ng magandang kalusugan at maginhawang buhay hanggang sa inyo-inyong pamilya. Maraming salamat po.”

Gidget Tatunay

Gidget is a 6 year old girl, living with her mother and grandmother. She was diagnosed of PDA at the age of four at the Iloilo Mission Hospital. Initially she was suspected of bronchopneumonia and asthma since the symptoms she presented with (dyspnea and cyanosis) were somewhat identical. These symptoms were accompanied by vomiting. But later on as her grandmother noticed the progressing cyanosis or “pangingitim” she instinctively brought her immediately to the hospital emergency room.

The patient’s family was initially overcome with alarm and panic during the attack, but with Mrs. Julieta, the patient’s grandmother’s experience and motherly instinct the family pulled through the incident resulting in prompt medical treatment. Only Gidget’s 31 year old mother, Beverly Raponzel Mempin, and her grandmother, Julieta, aged 69,remains in her family. Both caregivers are unemployed and the family receives its sustenance from honoraria from the barangay hall, since her grandmother was recently elected as a barangay Tanod, and various small businesses like selling mobile phone load.

The illness brought grief, desperation and fear to the family. However, because of the whole ordeal, the family grew closer as support systems were tapped from close family ties to distant friendly relations. This was all done to complete the needed funds for Gidget’s treatment. Also the family grew spiritually, as not a single day passed by without the family praying for hope and providence.

Gidget’s family was initially plagued with fears of not being able to complete the needed funds for treatment. This was accompanied by trepidations of post surgical complications. However, now that all is well and done, her grandmother relates that she has no more worries for her family's future and that they will strive for a better life. They hope that this kind of aid for people like them continues on for other children in need like Gidget for generations to come. They plan on focusing on Gidget’s education as soon as they get home. Gidget’s family is thankful and they hope that God repays the people who helped them in turn as they had helped them unconditionally. And they cannot thank them enough.

Sophia Elysse Abanto

Sofia is a 3 year old girl, diagnosed at the early age of 2 during a regular check-up. The doctor described it as a murmur and advised them to have a 2-D echo scan. This confirmed her diagnosis and led to the conclusion that Sophia will need surgery for treatment. The family reacted with grief, shock and disbelief. There were moments when the patient’s parents were at a loss, not knowing what to do and where to get help. They sought help from family and friends, leading them to institutions like Children’s hospital and others.

Her parents, Susan and Edmer, aged 33 and 35 respectively both worked contractually. And with the uncertainty of their occupation, they were not sure if they could complete the funds for Sophia’s operation. So they sought help until they came across this Donor project for surgery of PDA patients. They signed up and thought they were part of later batches. But they soon found out that they were with the first batch of patients for this project. After a few problems with finances and promissory notes they pulled through. Before the surgery all Susan, Sophia’s mother, thought of were what ifs scenarios. She always had Sophia’s safety in mind. But as the surgeon assured her she was relieved. Spiritually, she also grew in faith. After the whole process the family also gained new friends and perhaps bonds became stronger as these were tested.

The family now focus on Sophia’s education and anticipating crises like this. They now plan on preparing for future ordeals and hope to get by better in the future.“Lubos po kami nagpapasalamat sa mga tumulong, dahil malaki po ang impact ng inyong nagawa sa buhay namin at paglaki ng gaming anak. Kahit po wala po kami masyadong maibigay in return, bahala na po ang Diyos sa inyo. Siguro ang masasabi ko lang ang ginawa ninyo po ay magiging legacy kasi siyempre ikkwento namin to sa anak naming paglaki niya, at maikwento rin to sa mga kaibigan naming, sa pamilya at iba pa.”

Charles Jacob Martinez

Charles was born a healthy and lively boy and is the beloved third child of John Mendoza and Mona Lisa Mendoza of Marikina. He was a ray of sunshine to the new couple and was a warmly welcomed new member of the Mendoza family. Everything was going fine for John and Mona Lisa, until a month after Charles’ birth when Mona Lisa noticed her dear child suddenly let out a dreading cry when she was feeding him. Charles was starting to gasp for breath, breathing hard and fast as if the air was lost in his tiny lungs. John and Mona, in fear for their child’s life, wasted no time and rushed poor Charles to the Amang Rodriguez Medical Center.

It wasn’t long when they heard the news. Charles was diagnosed to have a PDA, or better known as Patent Ductus Arteriosus, a congenital heart defect that doesn’t show at birth but is as debilitating as any congenital heart disease. A fetal artery, the ductus arteriosus which in fetal life allows blood to bypass the non-functional lungs and go directly to the rest of the body, is expected to close upon birth to allow blood to go to the lungs and get oxygenated. But in Charles’ case, the PDA is left open and most of his blood can’t go to the lungs to get oxygen. Some people are able to get through life even with a PDA. But for Charles, it was taking a heavy toll and it was clear he needed surgery if he was ever to survive outside the hospital.

But surgery for congenital heart diseases doesn’t come cheap, and for the Mendoza family, where John is a hardworking taxi driver and the sole breadwinner, it’s close to impossible. Left with money that could hardly pay for hospitalization, John and Mona were clueless to what they could do for Charles, until they met Dr. Jonas Del Rosario, the renowned pediatric cardiologist who specializes in non-surgical repair of congenital heart defects. It might only have been a stroke of luck or divine providence that the Mendozas had made the acquaintance of Dr. Del Rosario’s father, who was a dear Philanthropist of their area, and referred them to Dr. Del Rosario.

Dr. Jonas Del Rosario gladly accepted and monitored Charles case until the boy was eligible for the procedure. Though no longer surgical, the procedure still had its costs and though they were cheaper, it was still something the Mendozas could not afford. Hearing this, Dr. Jonas Del Rosario, a loyal son of the Phi Kappa Mu, then included Charles into his list of patients for the Phi OPERA, or operating room assistance, where indigent patients receive PDA stenting for free. After reaching the minimum weight required, Charles, who was now 10 months old, underwent PDA stenting to close his PDA. And like magic the color returned to Charles’ skin and the life returning to his weakened body. Charles’ mother Mona, who was initially anxious about the risks of the procedure, was then extremely happy to see her son starting to recover and the life returning to his veins. Words could not express the gratitude that Mona had for everyone that had helped her son surmount his congenital heart defect, especially to Dr. Jonas del Rosario and the rest of the Phi Kappa Mu who had made it all possible.

Gisette Bautista

Gisette Bautista is a 1 yr 7 month old girl who was diagnosed of Patent Ductus Arteriosus when she was 4 months old. Her parents, Pamela (34 years old, Barangay Health Worker) and Julibert (35 years old, Security Guard), upon knowing the condition of their child, felt very depressed and even described it as “parang magugunaw na ang mundo namin”. What bothers them the most is the thought of what have they done wrong to deserve this. Pamela explained that she was very careful and cautious during her gestation. Then how come such thing happened?,Pamela said. This pressing problem greatly affected this family of four. They had to cut down expenses especially for their eldest, tighten their belts in spending for their basic commodities, and borrow money from others just to finance the stockpile of medications for Gisette. But despite all of these, their eldest son became the source of strength of the family. He emphasized that what is happening to them is a trial that they must overcome. He believes that God has a better plan for all of them.

When they received the news that the operation will be taken care of by someone, they had mixed feelings. They feared of the possibility that the outcome may not turn out to be good. They also didn’t believed right away that they will not pay for anything. Even after the operation was done, they were still asking if they have to pay for anything. They just couldn’t believe that they had it for free. And when finally the operation was successfully over, the parents were overjoyed. They didn’t expect that this would be possible. After the operation, they expect Gisette to be able to eat well, gain height and weight, and be less prone to diseases.

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OpeRA: Patent Ductus Arteriosus Surgical Mission