Jan 27 2013

Thanks God For His Provision Last Year

It is almost 1 year since we started this blog, Check my first post here, It is also one year since we came to know that my father is having a kidney disease. I thank God for all his provision that has been given to my family. His financial provision for the 12 months medication, (6 Months with Phil health and 6 months without). It is not an easy year but I could say that the Lord we served is a Lord that provides, thanks for all the donors who have shell out a portion of their income to share with my father’s medication. Some I know and some are strangers who happen to visit my sites. Thanks also to other bloggers who have linked on to this site as a response for my call for help on this post (This is still ongoing) . Most specially I thank God for all the spiritual strength that He has given us.

Thanks to all our friends who have provided medicine.

Thanks to my family, my wife and children as well as my brother, his wife and my nephew who have join the whole family to adjust the budget to meet the requirement of our father.

It is good that there is Philhealth, our expenses is low at the first 6 months of the year. Imagine paying only Php 500 in lieu of Php 3,500 per visit that we are paying for his dialysis.

All I can say is that God is Good and I know, He will continue to provide all our needs according to his riches and Glory. (Philippians 4:19)

Philippians 4:19
New International Version (NIV)
19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

God Bless You all.

Aug 13 2012

Update for My Father’s Kidney

Just want to inform you that recently my father have his GFR examination.

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is the best overall index of kidney function. Normal GFR varies according to age, sex, and body size, and declines with age.

It is an examination to know the remaining percentage of the patient. After the test we found out that both of his kidney have only 3% working. It might be tough time for our family but I still believe that God has it’s own miraculous way for everything. I just pray that He will continuously give the financial, physical and spiritual provision that we need on this tough time. Some of you  might have the same experience with one of your family members, it would be great to know your experience. God Bless all of you.

Mar 11 2012

My Father is Getting Better | Tips for Dialysis Patient

My Father is Getting Better | Tips for Dialysis PatientFirst of all we would like to thank God for everything as well as all people who are helping us in our journey for my father’s treatment. God is continuously pouring blessings to us. To God be all the Glory and let Him blessed those people who blessed us.

It is good to report that my father’s creatinine level goes down to 700+. My father has 1700+ before his dialysis. His fistula is still not being used but according to the doctor, the fistula will soon be used as an intake of dialysis procedure. Some tips to those undergoing dialysis :

  • Make sure that you follow your doctors advise regarding the food intake.
  • Take food supplement
  • It is not the end of the world, for people who are in dialysis.
  • Pray and always trust God on his provision.

I always believe that nothing is impossible with God. he is the great healer and He is able. god Bless everyone.

Feb 18 2012

What is Kidney Stone?

Kidney_stone_fragments-2-285x300You have probably heard of kidney stone and complications its appearance inside the organism might lead to. For those still wondering what is a kidney stone – kidney stone or nephrolithiasis is appearance of hard material inside the kidney. Due to the material’s crystallized structure kidney stone will cause sharp and severe pain upon exiting the organism, which is naturally done through the urethra. This medical disorder hits male population as twice as much as female. If not medically treated kidney stone can and will cause severe complications which might lead to fatal epilogue. Drinking between 6 and 8 glasses of water a day or often tea drinking significantly reduces probability of kidney stone’s appearance. Fluid intake mechanically averts kidney stone genesis by increasing need to urinate.

What causes kidney stones?

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Feb 17 2012

What is Epoetin alfa ?

2482-epogenI have been told by my parents that Epoetin alfa is one of the medicine that my father is taking after his kidney dialysis. This is used to increase the red blood cells. The problem with this medicine is it’s cost in Philippines. The Epoetin alfa cost Php 1,150 per usage.

According to wikipedia

Epoetin alfa (rINN) (/ɛˈpoʊ.ɨtɨn/) is human erythropoietin produced in cell culture using recombinant DNA technology. It stimulates erythropoiesis (increases red blood cell levels) and is used to treat anemia, commonly associated with chronic renal failure and cancer chemotherapy. Epoetin is marketed under the trade names Procrit and Epogen. Its annual cost to U.S. patients is $8,447 per patient per year.

For further information about the medicine you may check this site : nlm.nih.gov

The site could give information on the following subject :

  • What side effects can this medication cause?
  • What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?
  • In case of emergency/overdose
  • What other information should I know?
  • Brand names
  • Other names
  • Why is this medication prescribed?
  • How should this medicine be used?
  • Other uses for this medicine
  • What special precautions should I follow?
  • What special dietary instructions should I follow?
  • What should I do if I forget a dose?

You may use the donation link at the side of this blog if you feel you want to help us in our medication for the costly dialysis in Philippines. God Bless You and be informed about your kidney through this blog.

Feb 14 2012

What is Renal Failure?

What is Renal Failure?Renal failure is a medical condition where the normal functionality of the kidneys are lost suddenly. In this condition, the kidneys are incapable of removing waste and concentrating urine thereby leading to the loss of electrolytes from the body. This leads to accumulation of toxins and waste products in the blood. Glomerular filtration rate decreases when the kidneys fail.

There are three forms of renal failure namely acute renal failure, chronic renal failure, and acute-on-chronic renal failure.

Acute renal failure occurs where there is a sudden interruption to the blood flow thereby leading to rapid loss of kidney function. The most common causes of acute renal failure are trauma, complications from surgery such as heart bypass surgery, injuries, drug overdoses, accidental overload such as the onset of crush syndrome, chemical overload of antibiotics and chemotherapeutic agents, bladder tumor, renal calculi, acute glomerulonephritis, acute tubular injury, enlarged prostate, fluid depletion, sun stroke, cardiac failure, septic infections, and hemorrhage.

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Feb 13 2012

What is Creatinine?

What is Creatinine ?Creatinine is a by product of muscle contractions that is excreted and removed from the body through urine. When creatinine phosphate is broken down as the muscles work, it results in the formation of Creatinine.

Creatinine is hardly reabsorbed back into the body if it is at all. The kidneys are responsible for the filtration of Creatinine from the blood. Creatinine is filtered from the body through glomerular filtration. In the case that a person’s kidneys are not properly functioning, the Creatinine levels in the blood will be high and these levels can be measured. When the kidneys are functioning perfectly Creatinine will be successfully filtered out of the body and excreted in the urine. Therefore the Creatinine levels in the urine are normally high.

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Feb 8 2012

Thanks God There is PhilHealth ( Philippine Health Insurance) Benefits

Philippine Health Insurance Corporation- Individually Paying Members

Nobody knows when sickness will happen in one’s life. And it is good that my father is a member of Phil Health for a long time, and thanks God, in times like this, We can benefit from Phil Health. My father will benefit from Phil Health for a certain number of dialysis in a year. I have been informed by my parents that Phil Health have reduced the payment of my father’s dialysis, which really help us. I have been paying Phil Health for almost 10 years since I became an OFW, and I have never used Phil Health since my wife and children is with me and we have our own health card in the country where I am working. My parents is still not under my beneficiaries since they are less than 60 years old.

You may check through the link the Phil Health procedure :

Availment is subject to conditions as follows :

The following must first be met to avail of your PhilHealth benefits:

  • Payment of at least three monthly premiums within the immediate six months prior to confinement.

    For pregnancy-related cases and availment of the new born care package, dialysis (except those undergoing emergency dialysis service during confinement), chemotherapy, radiotherapy and selected surgical procedures, payment of nine (9) monthly premium contributions within the last 12 months shall be required except for those enrolled under the KASAPI program.

  • Confinement in an accredited hospital for at least 24 hours (except when availing of outpatient care and special packages) due to an illness or disease requiring hospitalization. Attending physicians must also be PhilHealth-accredited.
  • Availment is within the 45 days allowance for room and board.

Good that we are qualified on time that my father has been diagnosed with kidney problem. We just have to procure the medicine that will be used right after the kidney dialysis procedure. My father is scheduled to have two dialysis per week.

Feb 8 2012

How To Take Care The Vascular Access also know as “Fistula”

Taking Care of Your FistulaAs mentioned in my previous post, my father will have his minor operation of arteriovenous fistula  on Saturday, February 11, 2012. I have research about “ How to take care the vascular Access (Fistula) “ and here is what I found.

  • Make sure that the nurse who will conduct the dialysis will check the access before each treatment.
  • Keep the access clean at all times
  • Use the access site only for dialysis
  • Be careful not to bump or cut your access.
  • Don’t let anyone put blood pressure on the side where the fistula is installed
  • Don’t wear Jewelry or tight clothes over your access side.
  • Don’t sleep with your access arm under your head or body
  • Don’t lift heavy or put pressure on your access arm.
  • Check the pulse in your access everyday
  • Always pray before you sleep (very important)

Here are just some point to remember on taking care of the vascular access. Taking care of this access will mean savings for the treatment.

Image source : Davita.com