Mother and nephew feverish

Tina, the main breadwinner and mainstay of a poor extended family in Kalayaan, Laguna, Philippines, and her young nephew Ken-Ken are ill but without antibiotics already prescribed, and unable to afford them.

Image via Wikipedia

• At 09:57   GMT+08,   from     the Yahoo    Messenger       computer program, I sent a text message to Tina’s cellphone.
• Tina replied: she was still sick with tonsillitis.
• Eight-year-old Ken-Ken was also ill with wounds and a fever.
• They needed 1,800 pesos to buy antibiotics  but  could  not  afford them.

---

Bern:

Hi Tina, good morning. I've just re-installed Yahoo Messenger. This is just a test message to see if I can text you. I'm hoping it will work. Bern.

Tina:

Good a.m. Bern, I’m glad that I received the text from your  Yahoo.

Please help me; I have fever because of tonsillitis.

I need to buy antibiotics costing 1,200 [but] I cannot afford to buy [them].

Also antibiotic for Ken’s wounds; it was inflammation and infected; he have fever too.

Bern:

Tina, I'm glad you received the text but I'm [financially and emotionally] exhausted… To make matters worse, Ross has just mis-called me [from Manila, needing help ASAP ].

I'm appalled to hear not only that you're still sick but also that Ken has wounds. I wonder how he got them and wonder if the fever is a result.

I promised to ring Ross [a Manila householder facing possible eviction] so I should do it now.

Also I promised to help a friend do  some work, starting about now. But I'll stay in touch.

An hour later Tina texted again: “I hope you received my text: Ken’s antibiotic costs 600.”

Regrettably there was nothing more to be done. I was without sufficient funds to help until Wednesday.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Tonsillitis - All Information (umm.edu)
• Empiric antibiotics in the ICU (kevinmd.com)
• Outsmarting killer bacteria: Next generation of antibiotics to combat drug-resistant 'superbugs' (physorg.com)

Dog-bite victim receives another anti-rabies injection

Lin-Lin's health and appetite improve but costs remain a severe problem

SMS texting session via Yahoo Messenger from 13:52 to 14:34, Philippine time

At 13:52 today, Philippine time, Jason texted me that his daughter Lin-Lin had received an [anti-rabies] injection at the Laguna Provincial Hospital and was scheduled to receive another two, the next at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13.

He was very concerned about the cost: 1,700 pesos for each injection.

"News about the cost alarms me greatly," I responded. "I prefer not to think about it now."

I hoped Lin-Lin wasn't too upset by the injection and was OK.

"She's OK now, Bern, happy and energetic", Jason replied; "she [has] improved now but she needs 2 more injections."

I'm here now in Jollibee," he added, "but [after] every inject[ion] she [is] requesting me to eat [at] Jollibee."

The dialogue continued:

Bern: I'm very glad to hear Lin-Lin has improved. I understand that she needs more injections. I hope you've improved [in health] too.

Jason: I'm OK, Bern, happy; specially Lin-Lin, she eat Jollibee. Thank you; you're always there for me, to support [us]. Thank you very much Bern.

Bern: I'm very glad of that [happiness] Jason. I'm aware of added expenses on Wednesday but don't want to think about it too much right now.

Jason: Thank you Bern. God bless. Love, Jason and family.

Family cannot afford medical consultation and treatment for small injured son

Email from Tina sent on December 07 at 17:04 GMT+8

Dear Bern,

This is the x-ray plate of Kert; the doctor [is] waiting to return us on Dec. 18, to discharge the cement, at 9 a.m.

I’m worried coz I’m sure doctor required us to have x-ray again to check if the bone back to normal. X-ray cost 980.

Bern, sad to say, Roderic['s] work will be till this week, he just have work as casual for only 1 month, [this] means to say the responsibilities [come] back to me again. Bern, pls, help us again when the day came need Kert return to doctor again on Dec.18.

I pray the bone return to normal again.

Tina

Sick student injured in motor crash tries to carry on in college examinations

Tina (08:49:31): Gud a.m. Bern, I and Jovs was been school yesterday, he help[ed me] go up and down d stairs. I try to past program project, exam on 1 subject, Jov is d 1 who write my project in physics coz I cannot write coz of wounds on my hand.

Bern (15:31:08): Hello Tina, thanks for your text. I'm so sorry you've had such great difficulties. I admire your great courage and determination and trust you'll have some success.

Tina (15:36:58): You know Bern, I ask opinion from our registrar, she said if I can enroll [in] "Research 2" dis summer, and I can defend for it, I can get my credential on June, I can start to find a job.

Bern (15:41:13): That's good news, at least. But you still need time to recover from the crash injuries, and, very importantly, you still have a very serious illness.

Bern (15:42:41): I regret to say I must make an urgent phone call now. I'll come back online briefly 1/2 an hour from now. Goodbye for now, though.

Tina (15:43:26): Today I felt so tired I don't know why, I been collapse in our room at 12 p.m., when I woke up I'm in bed, but don't worry; I feel OK now, but felt dizzy.

Tina (15:44:39): OK, take care.

Bern (16:26:10): Final exam period is very stressful for a student who's healthy (not seriously ill), with enough money, without family responsibilities and without crash injuries, and, very importantly, you still have a very serious illness..

Tina (16:36:10): I think so Bern, you're right, still its be hard for me to accept dat I can't go in graduation on [March] 30, coz of accident, and I don't know how I explain it to Joe if i will try.

Bern (16:38:14): Joe already knows the major facts - about your poverty, your family responsibilities, your serious chronic illness and the traffic accident.

Tina (16:46:00): I think so Bern, you're right, still it's be hard for me to accept dat I can't go in graduation on 30, coz of accident, and I don't know how I [can] explain it to Joe, if I will try to enroll "Research 2" dis summer, start of enrolment will be on March 26, start of classes April 10.

Bern (16:48:01): I see. I guess, just tell him the truths he doesn't know and keep them short and simple.

Tina (16:56:38): Tomorrow if I felt better I will make [a] scan [of] d result of medical certificate, computation of enrollment from our accounting, dis is tel. [number] of our school. 049-8 . . . 435, cell No. of our Dean 092 . . . 467.

Bern (16:58:45): Thank you for the phone numbers. Don't stress yourself to send scans. I still think good nutrition and rest is best for you. I guess your exams are finished?

Tina (17:02:05) Our exam was finished yesterday and Jov been with me yesterday; he help[ed] me to write my report.

Bern: (17:03:56) Yes, you mentioned that Jovs was your scribe. Still, I imagine it was still difficult. You deserve some success and I hope you get it.

Tina (17:17:24): I hope so, today was d deliberation of grade, I will know d result on Monday. Thank for your concern Bern, I hope you are OK, also Alice.

I think my platelet count [is] getting low coz of my stress and depression.

Severely ill woman injured in motor crash must face college examiners

Tina (13:33:48): Gud a.m. Bern, I ask[ed] Laurice to get d official result of my x-ray at 2 p.m. [and also a] medical certificate to bring it in school.

Bern (20:17:48): Hello, thanks for text, hope you've survived today OK and hospital allowed Laurice to get results and certificate OK too. I'll be interested in latest news.

Tina (20:28:15): Da result: multiple physical injuries sec[ondary] to vehicular accident - contusion w/ abrasion (L) frontal area, 3cm x 3cm, abrasion (R) elbow, abrasion (L) elbow, confluent abrasion 1cm x 2cm, abrasion (R) ankle area. Result of X-ray: no definite radiologic evidence of fracture.

Bern (20:31:58): So sorry about the multiple abrasions, but it's good there's no definite evidence of fracture (broken bone). Absence of excessive bleeding probably good also?

Bern (20:34:39): I hope the college will show consideration and allow you sick leave and extensions of time because of your severe illness and injuries, but I'm not confident.

Tina (20:37:10): Bern, sad to say I have now so many bruises right now, and I suffer muscle pain. I can't walk alone without da help of other person around me coz of my ankle.

Bern (20:39:02): I'm so sorry to hear that. I thought study and exams would be too much but knowing you I'm not really surprised you went to college today instead of hospital.

Tina (20:39:48): No Bern, my sister show[ed] my medical certificate, but still I need to defend my thesis till Thursday at 9 a.m., and need to attend deliberation on Friday.

Bern (20:40:09): If your ankle swells, try to keep it HIGH, when sitting. In bed, put it up on a pillow.

Bern (20:40:37): What sort of crazy college is that? They make no allowance for illness and injury?

Tina (20:41:11): Only my sister go there I'm stay[ing] at home today.

Tina (20:47:46): Only Laurice talk[ed] to all my teacher[s] and guidance [officers] but they said I need to be in school tomorrow to do my thesis & defend it on Thursday or else my name will be erase[d] to [from] da [list of] name[s] of graduating [students].

Bern (20:49:49): That's a crazy college. What alternative arrange-ments are made for students who are too ill or too injured to take an exam?

Tina (20:54:02): They want me to defend my thesis on Thursday, and past our project till Friday, or else I need to enroll on summer and I will be graduate[d] next year.

Bern (20:55:17): I see. I don't really know what to think or say.

Tina (21:00:09): I will force my self to be in school tomorrow with 3 feet, but my problem [is] our lab room was in 2nd floor with stair[s]. I already paid my graduation expenses.

Bern (21:03:22): I see. It's not clear to me what you mean by 3 feet. I suggest you phone college admin early and request they have 3 or 4 strong men waiting to carry you up and down.

Bern (21:06:07): Incidentally, I'm starting a weblog. The college's reputation may suffer once people around the world can read how they treat their students.

Van strikes motorcycle: husband and wife injured but lack funds for medical treatment

Image via Wikipedia

March 19

Tina (11:50): Gud a.m. Bern, I'm now in DTI [Department of Transport and Industry], located in Pila. I'm not sure if I can get d list of name[s] of registered hotel[s] and resort[s], coz dey ask for request letter, but I'm still waiting for d person in charge.

Accident

Bern (15:52): I told Joe all I know about accident. IMPORTANT: tell [the] doctor you have Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), with platelet count about 16, and take Azathioprine.

Bern (15:53): I think doctor will see, however, if you have excessive bleeding. I certainly hope not.

Tina (16:03): Bern, driver of d van don't have money to pay x-ray and medicine; we're going [to] Provincial [hospital], but I don't have money too. What I can do? I suffer so much pain now.

Bern (16:05): If you are in [a] medical clinic I cannot understand why you are leaving it in pain. Surely doctor will treat [an] accident victim, even one who has no money.

Bern (16:06): Are you saying it is van driver's responsibility to pay for your medical treatment? Are you saying he is to blame for [the] collision?

Bern (16:09): I'll probably phone the Dr soon. I'll have to go offline to do that.

Bern (16:15): Jovs I hope you have load and can reply. I'll probably phone [the] Pila doctor soon to understand situation but to do that I'll have to disconnect Internet and Yahoo.

Bern (16:14): Mel, sad to say Jov's motorcycle [was] hit by van in Pila today. Jovs slightly injured I think. Tina has many abrasions, bruises, scratches on leg, foot hurt.

Tina (16:16): Driver don't have money today. He said he will help a little, he just have 200 pesos.

Tina (16:18): Doctor put Betadine [antiseptic] on wounds, dat all they do. I need x-ray in Provincial [hospital]. I'm sure they will give prescription.

Bern (16:18): Thanks for info but important questions not answered. Where are you? What are you doing? I'll go offline very soon to phone [the] doctor. I trust you do not have excessive bleeding.

Bern (16:20): Also you do not explain how you will travel to [the] Provincial Hospital. I don't know if your motorcycle is fit to ride or badly damaged or what.

Tina (16:21): We're now in police station, but d driver have only 200 pesos. We're plan[ning] to go now [to the] Provincial.

Tina (16:25): My mother bring d trikes here, we used to go to Provincial. We're now leaving now in police station. We have only 200 pesos from d driver.

Tina (16:27): It was motor cycle was damage too, but it can [be] used little by little to bring it home.

Bern (16:31): Sorry, visitor just arrived. I'm sure Joe sent you money very recently.

Tina (16:32): I felt dizzy but I don't have bleeding, we're now on da way to Provincial, I have only 100 pesos in my wallet. Jovs have referral for x-ray but our money is not enough.

Bern (16:32): I thought Provincial Hospital provided services free of charge.

Tina (16:34): Yes I already pay it in school last Friday coz today was our final exam, I need to have permit.

bern5321 (16:35): Pls provide estimated total cost and price of X-ray, medicines etc,;also advise where you will get the money.

Christine Lisa (16:42): Yes, its free but we need to provide things like bandage, medicine etc. Like in PGH, it's up to you, Bern, I don't have any idea about the cost. W'e're lucky if x-ray [machine] in Provinical [Hospital] function[s] - if not? X-ray outside [costs] 500 per x-ray.

Tina (16:43): I already paid all necessary things for graduation last Friday, I don't have problem now; only my thesis and exam today and tomorrow.

Bern (16:52): Sounds like you are not in [a] fit state for thesis and exam. You gave no estimate. I'm very unhappy about West[ern] Union. Agent here CLOSES 1 hour from now. We have [a] visitor.

Tina (16:56): We not arrived yet [at the] Provincial. I'm sorry, Bern, it's up to you, how much you will help, put in name of Jovs, if we don't have enough money we cannot get d result of x-ray and medicine.

Mel (17:05): Oh, Bern, what happen now to both of them? Who tell you about dat accident?

Bern (17:16): I got text from Tina so I phoned her. She's on way with Jovs to Provincial. I must rush to Western Union to send money for medicines, bandages, x-ray.

Tina (17:13): Bern, Dr. gave prescription vaccine, anti-titano [tetanus], 850 [pesos] each, 2 pcs. for 2 of us.

Tina (17:15): Sorry, I cannot give exact estimate coz Jovs have wounds also in his legs. I will send you d medical scratch.

Bern (17:18): I must rush now to bank then Western Union agent. I guess maybe I'll send 4,000. Goodbye.

Mel (17:19): OK Bern I hope both of them are OK now... 18:31:23.

Bern (18:39): I trust you and Jovs received text from me, sent about 15:50 your time. I'd appreciate an update on the current situation for both of you. Mel knows. Christine Lisa will receive your messages on a mobile device.

Tina (18:50) Thanks Bern, Jovs get d money; we already paid d vaccine, I done d x-ray. We get d official result tomorrow at 2 p.m. Nanay Josie was here now. Dr. gave prescription for pain, mefanamic acid 500 and cefalixin 500 mg.

Bern (18:56): OK. I'll look up those prescriptions. I suspect Cefalexin is an anti-biotic. Try to eat nourishing food, especially with Vitamin C, and try to rest tonight.

Tina (18:59): We're now going home after d vaccine injected to both of us, and we have now d medicine, we just rest at home, still I cannot walked; my right ankle was injured.

Bern (19:00): So sorry to hear that. I wonder how you get about. I hope Jovs doesn't have to carry you! Perhaps you need crutches.

Tina (19:04): Yes, I use crutches in hospital. Lito is d one [to] carry me, coz Jovs suffer wounds in his right leg too.

Bern (19:07): Oh, I hope the hospital allows you to take the crutches home. I'm glad to hear your mother and Josie and Lito have been there to help you; my greetings to them.

Tina (19:09): They did not allow [borrowing of the crutches]; only in hospital; we're now ride on d trikes going home, also Laurice was here too.

Bern (19:10): Crazy! Australian hospitals at least allow patients to take crutches home, even if they have to put a deposit on them. My greetings to Laurice too!

Tina (19:12): Yes, Bern, I told to them about your greetings. They want to say hello to you too.

Bern (19:13): I sincerely trust they are all well and managing OK.