4-year-old with heart ailment needs 2 surgeries

Loreen Mae Tagobase

MANILA, Philippine — At the young age of 4, Loreen Mae Tagobase has already undergone three major operations for an imperforate (no hole) anus and congenital heart disease.

“The next four years after her birth were the most difficult for her and for me. Each time she passed waste through her genitals, she would faint due to shortness of breath. Crying was second nature to her because of the unbearable pain,” said Tagobase’s mother, Lorna, a single parent.

Her daughter was first operated on in October 2017. She had heart surgery at the Philippine Heart Center followed by a colostomy in January 2019.

In March, just before Metro Manila was placed on lockdown, the young girl underwent corrective surgery for her imperforate anus at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center.

“We have not been to the hospital after the operation due to the lockdown. Doctors just gave us instructions by phone to prevent infections. Thank God, the wound has healed,” said Lorna, who used to work as a house helper in Cebu province.

The mother and daughter live in Bohol province. Whenever Tagobase comes to Manila for a checkup, she and Lorna stay with relatives either in Caloocan City or Cavite province.

This month, the young girl will undergo a minor operation to remove all of her decayed teeth. The procedure will cost P82,000. In October, she will have surgery again, this time to repair the hole in her heart.

Lorna appealed for help from Inquirer readers to help shoulder the double procedure, saying the operations will make life easier for her daughter who is turning 5 in November.

Lorna Tagobase can be reached at 0936-5036304. Those who want to help can deposit their donations in her BDO account (# 2410-1797-18).