Update on Ferds' Hospitalization

Four months of vomiting, 5 hospitals, a lot of doctors, day and night frustrations, contrast CT scans and other imaging tests, 35 days in the 5th hospital, 2 surgeries (open gastro-jejunostomy and jejunostomy tube insertion), Ferds is finally discharged. We are now home with close monitoring from doctors. We will be managing Ferds’ recovery at home. There'll be nausea and vomiting once in a while because of gastroparesis but the doctors told us that his recovery might be better if he's at home. After 6 months, a follow-up imaging tests (CT scan, endoscopy, GI series, and something test for gastroparesis) will be conducted to see if Ferds is clear from his acute superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMA Syndrome) and gastroparesis.

For everybody's information, Ferd's discharge diagnoses: Upper GI obstruction secondary to Superior Mesenteric Artery; Upper GI bleeding DM2; Primary subclinical Thyrotoxicosis; Euthyroid Sick Syndrome; DM Type 2. 

We would like to thank everyone who helped us go through this-- physically, emotionally, and financially. We are so grateful to family, friends, and colleagues, even strangers, who helped us, prayed with us, and prayed for us. We cannot express how grateful we are for everybody who supported Ferds, who believed he can do this, pushed him to hold on and be strong.

While Ferds is on the road to recovery, we ask for your continued support and prayers to help us, especially Ferds, get through this. Our hearts are full from the messages and well wishes that you sent for Ferds. THANK YOU ALL VERY VERY MUCH... FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS...

CALL FOR HELP

Last year, our family prepared a simple birthday celebration for my partner, Ferds Paraan. Little did we know that we had to take him to the hospital instead.  What we thought was a simple food poisoning was actually a very rare condition called Acute Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome (SMA Syndrome or SMAS) which was only discovered and confirmed after a series of hospitalizations and work-ups for almost 3 months since November.  We've been to five hospitals and different doctors since then.  Ferds would be discharged and would feel well for a week or two but would experience constant vomiting again after.

The condition was worsened by his diabetes, low potassium, thyroditis, and other complications.  SMA Syndrome disabled his digestive system causing him to vomit for days that led to severe dehydration, malnutrition, and weakness.  He lost 28kgs in 3 months time.

Today is our 28th day in the hospital, our fifth confinement and 4th month with this battle, having undergone 2 surgeries.  One is called open gastrojejunostomy surgery --bypassing the part of the small intestine where the SMAS is.  This was hoped to ease his digestion.  He had to had NGT for almost a week to have the secretions from his stomach be aspirated.  Although the surgery was successful, his recovery was not as proper and quick as expected.  The doctors then discovered that he was also suffering from ulcer which required blood transfusion due to severe internal bleeding in the stomach.  We were hoping he would feel better after these procedures, but he was still vomiting.  This time, doctors said it's because of gastroparesis (functions of his stomach are paralyzed), an effect from the major surgery with complications from diabetes.  So Ferds had to go through another surgery, a jejunostomy tube insertion.  A feeding tube was placed through his left abdomen to his small intestine so he could absorb more nutrients, build up his body, and recover more quickly.

Ferds is a kind of man that will push you to attain your goals, looks 'suplado' to some but has a really big heart for everybody.  He has that Superman Syndrome where he wants to do things with all his might and will keep his pain to himself.  It is challenging and heartbreaking to see him go through all this knowing how much he is trying to feel better.

We are grateful for all the love and support of our family and friends but our hospital bill is accumulating while we wonder when we could be discharged to be with our nine-year old son and six-month old daughter.

Our bill has reached more than half a million since we got here last month that's why we thought of launching this fund raising drive and appeal to your generosity for prayers, well wishes, and financial support.  We understand that this is a difficult time for all of us and we would appreciate any form of support and amount that you could extend.

Here are our account numbers for your donations:

CARMINAH E. GARCIA
Landbank: 0057497211
PNB: 141210118979
GCash: 09179381117

FERDINAND C. PARAAN, JR.
RCBC: 0000009023151372
UnionBank: 109480028801

SIERRA MAE PARAAN

BPI: 4179538348

Thank you in advance for your response.  May the Lord and the universe grant you with good health and more blessings.

Sincerely,

Carminah / Eych

First photo was taken 21 December 2020, 2weeks after the first hospitalization. Second photo was 07 March 2021, the day we got admitted to the 5th hospital, 3 days before Ferds' surgery.

This photo was taken 20 March 2021, 10 days after the surgery.  This was the day after his scoping to check the bleeder in his stomach. No more bleeding. The next day after this, he vomited and had high fever that went on for days.