On August 11, 2025, what began as a simple bout of LBM seemed manageable at first. But by the following day, the condition worsened, leaving young Nicomachus severely dehydrated. His family rushed him to Maasin Maternity Children Hospital (MMCH), where doctors immediately recognized the danger.

At MMCH, the medical team fought to stabilize him, but his body was already showing signs of strain. With no urine output for over 24 hours, recognizing the seriousness of his case, the doctors endorsed Nicomachus to Ace Medical Center Tacloban, where he was admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) for complete treatment.

Days passed, and the hospital stay stretched longer than anyone had hoped. The diagnosis was grim: Acute Kidney Injury secondary to Acute Gastroenteritis with moderate dehydration. Each day brought new challenges, not only medically but financially.

The hospital required daily deposits to continue his medication and treatment. Beyond the prescribed medicines, everything else was placed on a cash-in basis, and the family was warned that failure to settle bills would result in Nicomachus being “red-tagged” — a label that meant restrictions on care until payments were made.

As the bills rose, so did the family’s anxiety. Yet through every sleepless night and every prayer whispered at his bedside, they held on to hope. Nicomachus’ fight was not just against illness, but against the weight of financial burdens that threatened his chance at recovery.