Cough and Colds and GoFundMe Update

It got cold here in Jeddah and maybe because of the sudden change of climate, I got cough and colds right now and experienced chills. My gum bleeding doesn't stop even if I am religiously taking tranexamic acid. I asked my mom so we could go to the hospital for a checkup so I could be prescribed something for my cough because i don't want it to worsen especially, I am prone to bleeding. So we went to Fakeeh Hospital and Dr. Tarek prescribed me Tavanic 500 mg once a day, Clarinase 5mg/120mg twice a day, and kafosed syrup 10mL 3x a day. He advised me to stop Ciclosporine while taking Tavanic. It's a week off cyclosporine and I feel like it's vacation from meds even though I still have other meds to take. 😊 

Anyway, today is day 9 since my account in gofundme has been created by my parents' friend Tito Ronnie. It raised $1,065.00 already over our target of $55,000.00. We are raising this much because of my meds, hospitalizations with Blood and platelet transfusions and labs, professional fee for doctors, and the ATG procedure which costs about $8,500.00 per shot converted from Philippine pesos according to my hematologist in the Philippines. They said it will take about 5 shots. 

To all those who have donated, here is an update on my online fundraising for my medical financial needs when I get back home to the Philippines. (see pic below)

Also, I received P3,500.00 in my BPI acct and also 2 envelopes from mom's friends. Thank you very much for these and also for all encouraging words and prayers, which fill me with hope and drown away my fears. Another family friend also proposed a fundraising using her delicious cakes, cupcakes and lollicakes and we're still talking about it. Thank you for sharing all your blessings with me.

God is so good that He provided me with people who are willing to give and pray in unity. He is so good, He provided me with good-hearted people like you to help me. Loving friends and family who have hearts of gold. Your good hearts remind me of my own family who loved me then and will always do. I want to share about them.

I grew up with a family who took care of me very well. My grandparents mamang and papang and my mom's youngest brother, Tito Rey are the ones I lived with until I finished highschool. They spoiled me with with their love. I love all of them and I dream that one day, I will be able to make them feel the same way they made feel. They made me feel pampered and protected me and always thought the best for me. Though they over protected me, I knew it was because they loved me so much.

My mom's siblings who always gave me financial and emotional support, I'm also so blessed to have them - my tito Edwin and Tita Anabelle. Whenever, we couldn't handle the bills, they are always the first ones to help.

I remember when I was young, I played with my tita abel's makeup (that's what we call her) and when I went to my tito Edwin's store full of cute stationary items and school supplies, he lets me take what I want and lets me play there. I was a happy kid. Back then, everyone knows I was weak and sickly but we didn't know that my bone marrow wasn't producing red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. I lived a life in and out of the hospital but I know now there's a reason behind it.

Then my tita Anabelle got married so I stopped seeing her often but that was when I was younger because now, I also get to spend time with her to the mall or just look at bags together and talk about which is prettier. I get to walk arm in arm with her in the mall and she may not know it, but it makes me feel so loved. When she gave birth to my cousin, Tom, I knew I was given another brother because that's how I feel about him. Not just a cousin but my younger brother. When I have things I can't talk to my brother with, he listens to me and he also shares with me a love for books and coffee shops and conversations about the Bible and what he has learned from school. I like his company. 😊 On the other hand, I am not very close with my tita's husband, tito Franz, because I feel shy around him but I can see and feel his worries for me, too especially when I get hospitalized again. And they, as a family, are always willing to extend their helping hands for me, may it be in prayers, financial or emotional aspects.

Then, my mom's eldest brother, tito Edwin got married, too and he married a very sweet lady. She has moods but that's okay since I'm like her in that way. They both listen to my problems and also gave me whatever I needed that they could provide, may it be financial or moral support. I love Tita Ruby like how I loved our growing family. She is also a big part of my life. They both are and i love them both. They share my dreams and encourage me to be strong and assure me that they will be with me in fulfilling them.When I get treated successfully, I want to make them proud of me, that's one of my dreams.

And after a few more years, my tito Rey got married. He may not know it but I was attached to him like he was my father so when he married, it was a bit hard to accept hehe I was a kid and was truly very selfish but in time, I got to accept it especially when tita Marie gave birth to my cousins Jianne, Dicel, and Marielle. Our family grew bigger and this is the family together with my mom, dad, and my siblings Olac and Ishzi who I am truly blessed to have. They always gave me something but I haven't returned any favor yet and I ask God to let me stay or win against this disease for them.

These are the people who makes me want to fight for my life against Aplastic Anemia. I want to fulfill my dreams with them and for them. And to all of you, you also became part of my life and I'm grateful to God because I can still continue to hope that these dreams may come true. I also have other dreams like establish a shop with a cause so I may be able to help others or teach kids and youth about God especially in the remote areas in provinces. I want to help others, too, when I am already able to, especially children. I have a lot of dreams which I want to fulfill, and with your help I can make them come true one by one. With your help, I am also given the hope that I may also help others.

Here is the link to my account in gofundme.com to help us cover my ATG procedure. Please click below: https://www.gofundme.com/uud7ukr7

And for those who want to donate and help me, here is my BPI bank account:

San Lazaro Manila Branch

Acct # 009769-1401-71

Acct name: Karen Claire Celestino

Also, I am in need of blood donors, please text 09273168598 for info. Or for experienced blood donors, please go to University of Sto. Thomas Hospital Blood Bank and register your blood donation under my name (same as above) Karen Claire Celestino. I really need your blood donations, too.

Your prayers will also be of great help to me, because I believe God will listen to us who pray in unity for an intention. Take Care and God bless!