My name is Sievling Lim and my husband’s name is Vathanak we have had two tragic events occur one after another this past year. We have two chronically ill children in and out of hospitals. Our first son Aiden was born in 2013 with severe birth defects. He has gone through four surgeries with not much success and the doctors said he will need two more. In 2017 my second son Ethan was born six weeks prematurely and had to stay in the NICU for 3 weeks. In May Ethan stopped breathing and was rushed to the ER. He was diagnosed with a severe condition called Laryngomlacia. He received a tracheotomy and was in the hospital for over a month. He requires constant medical attention even at home. Needless to say our medical bills are astronomical.
My mother, Eng Neang from Cambodia, was living with us and helping to take care of her grandchildren. My mom has had an extremely hard life. My mother’s mom died when she was 4 months old. She was the baby of the family with 3 older siblings. Their father walked out on them leaving them to raise themselves. Living in extreme poverty. My mother married a man out of desperation as a second wife. She was beaten and treated very badly. My brother was beaten and left for dead but my mother cared for him for 7 years but due to lack of good medical care and money he passed way.
I sponsored my mom to come to the United States as she has several medical conditions and needed help. She does not have any health care insurance.
While my newborn was in the hospital my mom went back to Cambodia to visit family and to try and get help for me to pay medical bills. When she was walking down the street, she was suddenly hit by an erratic motorcycle rider, who left the scene.
Her brain was damaged from the severe impact and was in a coma. The doctors performed surgery and she needs another one. In Cambodia, one must pay cash for medical services. We moved her to Vietnam for better medical care, but we can’t move her back to the US due to her fragile condition.
My husband and I must come up with more money to pay for her care or the Vietnam hospital will let her die. Without money, they will not continue to take care of Eng. We have had to borrow over $20,000 and are currently trying to sell our home. It doesn’t have much equity in it, but would be some money to put towards my mother’s medical bills.
I am extremely close to my mother and love her dearly. I am all that she has. The stress is overwhelming, with caring for my two chronically ill children and worrying about how I am going to take care of my mother as well. Medical costs for the children and for the grandmother are climbing daily.
My husband and I are both trying to work and taking extra shifts when possible. It is so painful to know that money could mean life or death for my mother and the hospital is asking for it daily. I don’t know how long the hospital will keep Eng alive if funds are not paid.
I am asking for any help and support that you can give. We are very hard working and know how hard money is to come by but we would really appreciate anything you can do to help us. We are praying and hoping that our prayers will be heard and answered.
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