Isabella 5 years old.. Congenital Heart Disease, PDA (Patent Ductus Arteriosus).

<body bgcolor="#ffffff" link="#0000cd" alink="#666666" vlink="#0000cd" text="#000000"> <center> <table width="480"> <tr> <td> <FONT FACE="Arial, Times New Roman" SIZE="4"> <font color="#FF0000">BOES</font><font color="#0000FF">.ORG</font> <font color="#C0C0C0">- Children's Rights Across the World<br> The Original Internet Lifeline<p> </font></font> <font size="2" face="arial"> In international co-operation:<br> <a href="menu_index01.html">A/ Ongoing Internet Lifelines 2002</a><br> <a href="menu_isabella01.html">A/ Life Line Index for Isabella Dominique S. Castillo, 2002</a><br> <a href="menu_index31.html">B/ Searching for external Action 2002</a><p> Base document:<br> <a href="base_actions11.html">Actions</a><p> Readers Digest, World Edition 1998:<br> <a href="readersdigest1998.html">Internet Lifelines since 1997</a><p> <hr>  Dear Sir/Madam:<br> <font size="1"> </font><br> I am writing from the Philippines to make an appeal for my precious daughter, Isabella Dominique S. Castillo. She has a congenital heart disease, PDA (Patent Ductus Arteriosus). However, a month ago after showing signs of cyanosis, her cardiologist immediately asked that a repeat 2 D echo be done. Results showed enlargement on the right atrial and right ventricle of the heart which the cardiologist told us is unusual for a PDA case. He suggested a cardio cauterization be done to prepare for an eventual operation as soon as possible. Sadly, we are not prepared. We cannot afford the medical expenses needed to make her well, with the fact technology here may not be enough guarantee. But as parents we couldn't give up just the same to look for hope and help.<br> <font size="1"> </font><br> My husband and I waited almost twenty years to have her. Up to this time, we consider her a gift from God. Maybe it's God's plan for it seemed a miracle suddenly finding myself pregnant after all those years of praying, waiting and wanting. We in fact even had a bonus for a baby boy soon followed the next year. So you must know how precious she is for us. We didn't give up hope for those long years of waiting, so we just couldn't give up now.<br> <font size="1"> </font><br> Maybe it's just finding good Samaritan who'll be instrumental to help us find cure for our daughter. We beg your kind heart to help us. We'll be forever grateful for all the help you can extend our daughter. She's barely five years old and has a lot life ahead of her to look forward to. We feel and strongly believe she has the right to live her life long enough to be able to serve God just as He has given most of us the chance to do the same.<br> <font size="1"> </font><br> At present, her care is being evaluated by Cardiologist and Cardio Thoracic Surgeons at the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles with attention to Karen Haas ( Cardio Thoracic Manager). We were informed of the need to look for a foundation to sponsor and fund my daughter's care.<br> Although my parents are both currently residing in the United States of America, they are in no position to help us shoulder her medical expenses as they are both just dependent on the pension they monthly receive from the U.S. government.<br> <font size="1"> </font><br> We'll be looking forward to hearing from you soon and keep our fingers crossed our prayers be answered again.<br> <font size="1"> </font><br> Sincerely yours,<br> Estrella S. Castillo<br> <hr width="98%" align="left"> <font size="1"> </font><br> <b>Date:</b> Sat, 26 Jan 2002<br> <b>To:</b> Bo Sanderg<br> BOES ORG - Children's Rights Across the World     BOES.ORG<br> <font size="1"> </font><br> Dear Sir:<br> <font size="1"> </font><br> I am writing from the Philippines to seek medical help for my daughter Isabella Dominique S. Castillo, female, 5 years old, born on January 12, 1997. Her name means dedicated to God (Isabella), The Lord (Dominique). She is nicknamed Nikki.<br> <font size="1"> </font><br> Sometime on February / 1997, <b>She has been diagnosed to have a congenital heart disease (Patent Ductus Arteriorsus). As we were told, in most cases, the hole closes on its own before the child reaches the age of two. However, with our daughter, it did not.</b> Last November / 2001, She manifested to have signs of cyanosis especially during exertion. A repeat 2D echo at the St. Luke's Medical Center, revealed she still has PDA and a right atrial and right ventricle enlargement was noted, which her cardiologist said is not compatible with normal PDA cases and needs immediate attention. We were told of presence of hypertension on the pulmonary artery. He suggested a catheterization be done prior to an operation as soon as possible to find the cause of the enlargement, pressure on the heart and other anomalies if there is inside the heart.<br> <font size="1"> </font><br> At present she looks normal like any normal kid around but shows signs of cyanosis & fatigue during exertion or when she cries a lot.<br> <font size="1"> </font><br> We were told by her cardiologist that if catheterization is to be done, a close heart and an open-heart surgery must be on standby should the need arises. It breaks my heart, for I know, we couldn't afford the medical expenses to make her well. But I couldn't give up hope to look for help and cure for my daughter. I just had to hold on to my faith in God to do the impossible for us.<br> <font size="1"> </font><br> We are continuously praying you will accept my daughter's case and give her hope to live her life long enough to serve God just as He has given us the chance to do the same.<br> <font size="1"> </font><br> Sincerely yours  / Estrella S. Castillo<p> <hr>  Isabella Dominique Castillo aged 5, Philippines<br> <a href="menu_isabella01.html">Isabella, Index</a><br> <a href="asia/philippines/isabella_letter01.html">"I Couldn't Give Up"</a><br> <a href="asia/philippines/isabella_c01.html">Isabella, Medical document 1</a><br> <a href="asia/philippines/isabella_c02.html">Isabella, Medical document 2</a><br> <a href="asia/philippines/isabella_c03.html">Isabella, Medical document 3</a><br> <a href="asia/philippines/isabella_c05.html">IIsabella, Medical document 5</a><br> <a href="asia/philippines/erin_xray01.html">Isabella, x-ray</a><br> <a href="asia/philippines/isabella_photo02.html">Isabella, Photo</a><p>  <b>The Philippines</b>.<br> <a href="asia/philippines/country_info.html">Country Information</a><p> </font> </td> </tr> </table> </center> </body>