More Pre-Operation Tests at St. Luke's Medical Center

More tests prior to operation done on November 29 and 30, 2010 at St. Luke's Medical Center, Quezon City...

Magiting Supports TV5's Alagang Kapatid

I just want to repost this one from Facebook account of TV5's Alagang Kapatid. We fully support this program as we believe, this is one program that will help the less fortunate Filipinos with their health problems.

As the saying goes, Health is Wealth. So how do we protect ourselves from various threat to our well being? By being armed with proper knowledge and information.

“Alagang Kapatid” is a documentary and feature show that tackles various health concerns and medical developments. The show aims to be of service to the Filipino public by providing information related to health, and offer hope and inspiration to those in need of medical assistance, and during emergency situations.

The show’s pilot episode will start airing this coming September 11 and will be continuing its service every Saturday from four to five in the afternoon, it will be hosted by veteran broadcast journalist Ms. Cheryl Cosim.

To inform the public and save lives, that’s our mission. Because for every health crisis, we offer the gift of knowledge and healing; the gift of “Alagang Kapatid”

Just like Magiting or Zayzay, there are so many children who needs medical assistance. And we hope, with this program, many lives will be changed.

The Fight Will Soon Be Over

At four months, we first noticed Zayzay snores like a grown-up. Most people have said that it is just normal for babies to snore; they call them “noisy breathers”. And because it was the first time we see a baby snores loud, we were even amused to hear the sound coming out from his mouth.

For most babies, it is common to get sick. Colds, cough and fever are just common sickness that little angles get, as they grow older. Again, as most people say, this is normal for them. And of course, there is asthma.

At one year and four months, Zayzay had a terrible sickness. He had cough, fever and asthma. We have to rush him to the hospital in the middle of the night. He stopped breathing and the color of his skin already changed. Doctors said he had terrible asthma at that time. So he had to stay in the hospital for three days.

This stop breathing experience, the snoring, the hospital confinement, made me think that it is not normal or it is just asthma. I know doctors know very well because they are professionals and they should know. But parents should know better when it comes to the feelings with their children, how they feel when they are sick. They are always by their side.

It’s not that I don’t believe to the doctors, but given the benefit of the doubt, I researched the Internet why my son sleeps that way. And for over two years, I doubted my son has asthma, but has sleep apnea.

Every time my son gets sick and we consult the doctors, I always try to tell them that I doubted our son has sleep apnea. But most of them, the family doctor, the pediatrician, the neurologist, have told me that sleep apnea is something that could not be told easily. It will take a lot of time and money to diagnose our child with sleep apnea.

But we never stopped looking for the right professionals who would feel the way we feel about our son. Who will talk about sleep apnea with us deeply. And we are fortunate that we found them.

The pediatric and pulmonologist we met for the first time had a lot of experiences with children who had problems with their sleeps. So we talked a lot and she listened. She referred us to a surgeon whom she worked many times with patients, children with sleeping problems. These two doctors confirmed that our son is actually having obstructive sleep apnea.

Now comes the big problem with me as the father. The surgeon has recommended surgery to remove his tonsils and adenoids. These are the part of his throat that makes our son snore and stop breathing. And this operation, he said, needs a lot of money to be done.

I seek help to raise funds. I talked a lot with my friends and relatives. I talked a lot on the Internet, on social networking sites and other online communities that I joined. It took a lot of courage and humility to do it. It took me days and nights in front of the computer, trying to reach more people, more hearts, who will feel helping us with our son.

Prayers came in and so as assistance. They came from different places of the world, different races and religions. And they came in as overwhelming but isn’t enough. Even though, I thank God for the support that we have got from those people.

But what made our hearts, as parents, feel better after a lot of sacrifices for our son is the message from a television program who got interested to help us. Hopefully, with this show, our problem with our son will come to an end.

Thanks Be To God.

We Actually Shot Scenes For The TV Program

As I have stated recently, one program researcher of a TV show from Manila contacted us and informed us of their interest with our case. And they actually been here this weekend.

On Saturday, we have shot scenes while Zyruz is asleep, how we take care of him when apnea attacks, and a lot more. On Sunday, we shot scenes while he is at play, interviewed us and some scenes while we are supposedly leaving the house for Manila.

We were supposedly leaving today, as per conversation with the PR. But she said, there are some conflicts with the schedule of the doctors. But she assured, we will be going to Manila in September, for check-up and possible operation.

The PR also said, they will do all they can do to help us including the operation, they will try to convince the doctors.

By this time, we are not only excited to go to Manila for the check-up and possible operation but also excited to see our story on television.

Here's the trailer of the said television show.

A New Look of the Site

We have made some changes with the look of this site.

The top portion of the page features an image of the subject child Zyruz. It has links to some sites and pages within the site.

Now you can see how or where you can send your donations if you wish to help for the surgery of the child. You can easily contact us with a simple form found in the Contact page.

We also set-up a Guestbook found at the right portion of the page, so you can leave your message/greetings for Zyruz to make him feel that you care.

We are still trying to make the site look better, so please feel free to give your comments and suggestions from anywhere within the site.

God Bless.

Please, Help Save This Child

We Are Just Unlucky To Be Poor

For almost a month now of trying to get help for the surgery, we have already collected almost 20% of the total estimated cost. Still too far from it. But we are very hopeful to get at least 40 to 50 percent by next week, so that we can already set the date for the procedure.

We are very thankful to the Lord that you are there, supporting us with our prayers. I even said one time, if only prayers could pay the hospital bills, then I guess the surgery have long been done. But of course not, hospital is a business. And we are just unlucky that we need their help for our child and that we are poor.

Anyway, here is the list of sites where you can also find us.

1. Facebook
2. Twitter
3. Blogger
4. Youtube
5. myLot
6. Wish Upon A Hero


And here are the list of ways you can send your donations.

1. Bank of Phil. Islands
2. Land Bank of the Phils.
3. Paypal
4. Western Union


You can contact us through:

email: neildc68@yahoo.com.ph
mobile: +63.922.221.6929


Magiting: Survival Against Apnea
Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines

Still A Long Way To Go

We started ways to raise funds for the surgery. And we are overwhelmed with the outcome. So far, we have reached about 15% of the total estimated cost.

We thank everyone who support us from the beginning. Everyone from myLot especially Auntie Marti. All the friends from TUP-MTI and from Facebook. From the workplace, friends and relatives. We also, of course, thank all those who have pledged and still wait for the right time.

But this is still not over and still a long way to go. We still have to work harder to reach our goal. We hope more and more people will do their share when they find it in their hearts to do so.

We badly need your help.

Everything Is Large Exempt The Air Pathways

We just got back from the Ear-Nose-Throat (ENT) doctor. He's very proficient should I say, in terms of equipments and how he explained to us everything about Zayzay's problem.

He checked his throat, his tongue. He used a camera to see how it looks inside of Zayzay's throat, I think that's endoscopy? And the child was very cooperative. He never showed resistance to whatever the doctor told him to do, not even with the small thing inserted in his nose.


Now these are what the ENT saw:

1. Large tonsils
2. Large adenoids
3. Large tongue


Of course he saw the video and he really feels the suffering of the child.

Now, the good news? He can correct everything on our little angel. He can make him feel better, sleep better. He said, 80% of what he is now, will be removed. Meaning, the obstruction will be erased though he may still snore.

Now... Now... Now... The bad news?

We have to raise something about 3. Yes, three thousand US dollars.

Where and how could we get this huge amount of money?

We Should Not Wait For A Sleep Study

Our son Zayzay always have cough and colds, keep coming almost every month, just like today for almost 2 or 3 days now. We decided to see a pulmonologist so that even tuberculosis issue will be given an end to our worries.


So we found one who seems to be the perfect medical practitioner for our child, after so many doctors who checked him. And we told her everything, his health history, from he was a baby who snores loudly, and so on. And so she is convinced it is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) for all the symptoms of it are present with our child.

But this, she said, still have to be referred to her most trusted ENT doctor who will reconfirm the OSA. She said she worked with this ENT several times and had their last team-up with a patient whom they done an operation, removing the tonsils.

She also added that sleep study is not necessary at this time or we are not supposed to wait for the study be done or something more serious might happen to the child. We should not wait for a sleep study, she said.

By this time, it is not yet final that the operation will really be necessary, but the pulmo-pedia looked at it as very much necessary, although she said, the ENT doctor will have the final say about it.

Let's see what will the ENT doctor will have to say once he see Zayzay. If he will find operation is unnecessary then it's good. But if not, we have to work more harder to raise the funds for the operation.

Be Prepared With The Outcome After Six

We have just been with our family doctor. I say, family doctor because, besides she being a family medical practitioner, she is the one whom our family see, everytime we got sick or has something that we want to know about our health, before seeing other doctors. Almost everything about our health, colds, fever, internal discomfort, eyes, etc., we first seek her medical attention before she will recommend a specialist or endorse us to other doctors, for further check-up. Almost everyone in the family, from me and my wife, our kids, her mom, her dad, her sisters, their kids, my nephews and nieces.

To recall, our two year old son, Zyruz, having treated as of the moment for possible sleep apnea, is so far doing well, responding so well with the medicines. Though a little expensive, we have to face the high priced medicines and keep the taking of them in schedule, for at least four months or until six months.

Yesterday, though I am a little afraid of the would be outcome of the treatment, this family doctor told us more about tonsils. She said that we really don't have to be afraid if, worse come to worst, his tonsils should be removed. There are a lot of our body parts that if removed, we still can move well and almost nothing happened. She mentioned appendix as an example. This should be removed, because it has no more function and it not removed, will only lead to more complicated situation. And so with tonsils. If the need to remove it will not be done, more complicated situation would come to us, like heart problem, and that is not irreversible, she said.

Frankly, I am afraid of operation. I even fell down when I accompany my oldest son when I saw blood when he was circumcised. Though that happened about 10 years ago, funny, but that's true. I thought am was going down and blood goes up to my head.

Medication for six months

We came about an hour after the clinic opened. We were at number 17 in the list but when we arrived, there were only 4 patients in the waiting area, so we thought we could be attended to at about an hour. But after two hours, there were more patients arrived and we never called until four hours of waiting. There seems to have some problems with their system. We though that even if we were last in the list, they could find ways to at least insert us in between patients, but we were wrong. My wife got pissed off, so she got out of the clinic for some air.

Well, after four hours, it was our turn. And everything was talked about for our little angel. And it turned out good and going better.

We have to continue the medication. There is the "montemax", the "aerus", and the "steam inhalation". The doctor added on more thing, nasal spray. She found out that Zayzay is responding well with the treatment of his sinusitis, so that's it, we will just continue giving him these medicines until the sixth month.

If the treatment will going to be great, the doctor said, we could be spared of with more expenses, specially for the operation to remove his tonsils. She don't want to do this, in the first place.

Well, until the next update...

What the laboratory tests reveal

January 6, 2010. This day revealed that according to the laboratory tests, Magiting only have thick sinusitis, that the doctor said, it a bit easy to treat, Blood tests showed that he is fine, but the x-ray results showed sinusitis at his nasal airways. Practically, causing him to breath hard, that could be the cause of choking.

His apnea is not clear this point of time, as the doctor said, we still have to attend to sinusitis, for say, six months. Until then, if the situation is still the same, we have to go for the sleep test.

So far, our little angel is doing fine, although the snoring is still there, which is the one thing that we really have to get rid of.

But anyway, medication is on going, and so as the steam inhalation regularly.

And good thing, we have no problem with him in taking the meds.

We have just started

December 22, 2009. We have just started with the series of tests. The doctor recommended complete blood count, peripheral smear check and complete paranasal x-ray.

The results of the tests are already out and we are about to get back to the doctor's clinic tomorrow. The results will be interpreted to us, so within two days or so, I could go back here and tell about the findings.

More painful to parents

We all know that when it comes to our children, we will do everything just to see them in good condition, with regards to their basic needs, health, school, etc. And it is very painful to parents to see them bad.

With Zyruz's health condition, the doctors wants to be sure what really causes his loud snoring and if it has really something to do with sleeping apnea.

The doctors recommendation is x-ray of the neck portion and sleep test.

Sleep test alone, in one and the only hospital who has facilities here in Cebu will cost us about 20,000 Pesos (or an equivalent to USD $415.00)

And we can't find that said amount to bring him to that hospital. We can't do anything, so far, as the economy is getting worst. The income I earn is just as enough for our basic needs.

It's so painful to see Zyruz in his condition as he sleeps. The chocking time, the untimely waking-up as he cries, as he cries for help. We can't do something to help him, but to make sure he will not again stay longer in that position. Only to put him on his sides. To monitor his position in his sleeps, and that's all.

So far, that is all we can do to help him. We have nothing to make sure his condition will get better or the problem disappears. Nothing, only when help comes.

The lighter side of Magiting

I came here again to share some of the lighter side of Zyruz. As you can see him in the clips, he is a very jolly, naught kid. And who can tell he suffers from sleeping disorder like sleep apnea.

We let him dance last night and see if we can catch some good clips. And he dances here, in the tune of "Nobody" by the "Wondergirls".

Please enjoy...

No more deep sleep with apnea

Aside from having light sleeps at night, to monitor how the child sleeps, one of the painful experiences for parents is to see the child sleeping uncomfortable.

There are lots of time you can see and feel that the child is uncomfortable while he is sleeping. He always move from side to side. He cannot stay in one position. You can compare it to the clock, who always in the move.

Worst, is when you hear the snore stops for awhile and then you see him as if was chocked. At this point, he usually gets awaken, and then he cries. And my wife usually gets awaken too. Or anyone sleeping beside him.

But what else can we do? So far, that's all, to monitor him while asleep.
To change his position if we feel he breathes with difficulties.
And have patience.

Monitor child while asleep

It will not depend on what time the child will sleep, daytime or night-time, you have to check his position. You should always make sure he sleeps on his side, not on his back.

Just like today when we took a nap in the afternoon. We all fell asleep so we were awaken by a loud crying voice of Zyruz. Though we are sleeping, we can still hear his loud snore. But suddenly, he cry out loud.

Maybe, he had dreamt or maybe he really had hard breathing that time. He's gasping for air too, just like he came from a long run.

But how can you tell a child like Zyruz, that he has sleeping problem? No way you can say he has until you see him sleep.

This boy is super hyper-active. He plays a lot. He always run, dance, sing, etc. He always wants to be with his mom at the backyard while she is doing the laundry, or will always soak his body in the basin full of water. He loves water so much.

Another day has passed. And this means, another struggle for a night of noisy sleep for him. Another night for me and my wife, to always check him, while he sleeps.

Smiles are back

On September, 2008, some few days after Ting had been discharged from the hospital, and still recovering from his LBM.

He was slowly recovering his appetite. Though he didn't like the taste of the oral dehydration fluid, we mix it with his milk. He likes to drink gatorade, so we also put in some fluid with gatorade, just to trick him.

He continue to take paracetamol to let his temperature at the normal range.

Slowly, he take more solid food without vomiting. He drinks his milk well. He can now plays with the kids, and already dances with them. Back to normal, at last.

One time, while my wife is feeding Ting, she noticed some white portion of his gum. As there were some more teeth coming out. And looks like there were four of them, coming out all together. This maybe the reason for his fever and LBM.

The Day after the Discharge

On Friday, August 29, 2009, Magiting manifested LBM (loose bowel movement) and vomits though his temperature is normal and his breathing is normal too. We thought that the problem with his health will be gone with the continued medication.

The doctor advised us to stop giving him some of the medicine with only to kinds to continue. She also mentioned the his milk and other solid food should be stopped while his tummy is being treated.

She mentioned about the milk. We can continue to give him milk, she said, but only that is lactose-free.

The stool should be collected too, for another laboratory test.

One medicine the doctor mentioned, was that of an anti-biotic. She advised to stop giving that one and had prescribed another one. She said that the previous one might be the one that caused him to loose movement.