With A Grateful Heart (Melanie Berlanas Compoc)

My mom, Melanie went to New Zealand last September 2019 to give support to my sister Mary and husband Victor, who just gave birth to their first baby. Mama Lanie, as we fondly call her, was supposed to stay for only 6 months but then Covid happened and she was forced to extend her stay in New Zealand. She took this time to take care of her grandson and spend time with Mary and Victor.

Unfortunately, on September 22, the previously well and active Melanie collapsed in the shower. With no previous illness it was shocking for everyone. She had the signs and symptoms of a stroke and while in the ambulance on the way to the hospital she lost consciousness. My mom had to be intubated and her scan showed a massive SUBARACHNOID HEMORRHAGE SECONDARY TO A RUPTURED ANEURYSM. She had to undergo 2 surgeries, one to clip the aneurysm and a second surgery 2 days after to put a drain in due to increased intracranial pressure from cerebral fluid accumulation.

Currently, Mama Lanie is in the ICU at Wellington Hospital. She still hasn’t regained full consciousness and remains comatose. She is receiving her nutrition via a feeding pump and needs oxygen to help her breathe.

A very loving mother, and doting grandmother, we want to give her a shot at fighting for her life. Although Mama Lanie has travel insurance which will cover her surgeries and hospitalization while in New Zealand, its coverage will end once she is back in the Philippines. We are asking your kind hearts to please help us set up a fund for her transport back to the Philippines and also to help defray for the expenses of her hospitalization and continuing treatment at home. And most of all, our family would appreciate if you could whisper a short prayer for her recovery. Thank you.