Help Get Our Pip Home

Update: On the morning of 20th May, Pip succumbed to her brain swelling. R.I.P. Sweet P.

My name is Terry Moody. I am writing on behalf of my partner Phillipa (Pip) O'Brien. We are both NZ citizens from Christchurch New Zealand. Pip has a pre-existing health condition (that was being maintained) which is Brain Cancer - Glioblastoma Stage IV (diagnosed December 2013), and has lost her ability to speak (Aphasia) since early March.

We planned what was probably going to be her last trip earlier this year and arrived for a three week visit to Cebu, Philippines on March 22nd.

However, shortly after arriving she suffered an accidental fall in the shower - (she has right side weakness) - was admitted to Chong Hua Hospital here in Cebu for any injuries. While here she subsequently suffered a serious seizure.

We were discharged with no injuries, but she continued to deteriorate. She was unable to stay awake and very lethargic to the point where I had to have her again admitted to Chong Hua on April 10th. Her condition was deemed serious as CT scans revealed a large edema (swelling) in her head.

We remained there for three weeks and were discharged on the 2nd May.

Three long weeks and a massive hospital bill.

We are now set up in a room in the suburb of South Hills, Tisa. We have two caregivers sharing duties day and night. They have offered their service at a reduced rate. It is far more comfortable than the hospital, The move has lifted our spirits, but her condition remains serious.

I need to get Pip back to New Zealand and back to her family and friends who miss her dearly.

Any financial assistance would be enormously invaluable to help pay for her ongoing care and medical supplies, and to help try to get her back to New Zealand comfortably. (We were not able to get any medical insurance because this was a pre-existing condition.)

I am alone here in Cebu, exhausted overwhelmed and full of anxiety. I'm relyiing on the generousity and kindness of the locals that care about us and our predicament.

I still need to get her body or her ashes home to her family but my funds are nearly depleted.

Is there anything anyone can do to help our plight?