35-year-old trike driver battles kidney disease
Like most people who have been diagnosed with a life-threatening disease, Ruel Bautista is still trying to come to terms with his situation although he still wonders why fate dealt him such a hand.
“I ask myself, why me? I’m a kind and hardworking person who’s helpful to my parents and brothers and sisters,” Ruel told the Inquirer.
The 35-year-old tricycle driver who lives with his parents was diagnosed in August 2022 with chronic renal disease (CRD) Stage 5 after his feet, legs, arms and face became swollen and he found it hard to breathe. Blood tests at a clinic showed his creatinine levels at extremely high levels and he was referred to the National Kidney and Transplant Institute where he underwent emergency dialysis.
“It turns out my lungs were full of water because my kidneys had stopped functioning. I was depressed when I was told I had end-stage renal disease because I knew I would need lifetime treatment,” Ruel said.
He is currently undergoing dialysis three times a week at NephroPlus Healthcare Services Philippines Inc. in Makati City. Every month, he pays P25,900 for the sessions on top of required laboratory tests. He said he tries to raise the amount by borrowing money and asking for donations.
Aside from dialysis, Ruel also needs to take the maintenance medication prescribed by his doctor such as losartan (50 mg), ferrous sulfate (325 mg), folic acid+vitamin B, sevelamer (800 mg), calcium carbonate (500 mg), febuxostat (40 mg), telmisartan (80 mg), amlodipine (10 mg), carvedilol (12.5 mg), clonidine (75 mcg) and atorvastatin (20 mg).
“Right now, I can’t work. The doctor prohibited me from plying my tricycle route because I have an IJ (internal jugular) catheter (tube to facilitate dialysis) on my neck and an AV (arteriovenous) fistula [also used for dialysis access] and these can’t get dirty. We are really struggling because I’m the only breadwinner in the family. My parents are already senior citizens and diabetics while my siblings have families of their own to support,” Ruel said.
“I hope there will be people to help me because I want to live longer and be with my parents. I don’t want to end up like my uncles and aunties on my mother’s side and my grandmother on my father’s side who died of chronic kidney disease,” he added.
Those who want to help Ruel can send donations to the BDO account of his mother, Leonora V Bautista, with account no. 000170319148. (Note: no period after V) Leonora can be contacted at 0961-5522385.
