A Cork man is continuing to receive life-saving treatment following a horrific motorcycle incident in Vietnam.
Damien Horgan, who had been living in the South-East Asian country for the last four years as an English language teacher, was due to start a new job, however, two weeks ago was involved in a horrific accident, his family said.
He seriously damaged the left side of his body, has 11 broken ribs, a ruptured spleen he needed removed, a broken collar bone and shoulder, as well as a ruptured bronchus and collapsed lung which would not reinflate.
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"He is still critical, is ventilated on life support, on an ECMO machine to replace the function of his lungs and heart, on dialysis for kidney damage, as he is so unwell.
"He has received multiple units of blood, IV antibiotics," his sister Fiona said.
As Damien was due to begin a new job, his insurance was tied to his old workplace, and so his family are having to fit an enormous hospital bill, Fiona told as part of a GoFundMe set up to offset some of the cost of saving his life.
The cost of ICU is €1500 per day, the ECMO machine which is keeping him alive is €7500, while his surgery’s are costing a few thousand euro’s each time, she said, adding that as he is unconscious a family member must stay by his side at all times for medical consent.
The fundraiser has already raised €49,208 as part of its €100,000 goal, with the family's most recent hospital bill amounting to €8,000, having already paid up to €30,000.
Fiona thanked the amazing hospital staff and Damien's amazing friends in Vietnam for all they have done.
"They have adopted us as their own, wiped away out tears, given much needed hugs, food and have translated for us also, we will never be able to do enough to show how appreciative we are," she said of Damien's friends.
In an update this Friday, Fiona informed that life-saving surgery Damien had on Wednesday appears to be successful, showing signs of improvement for his lung, however he is still using a dialysis machine for his kidneys.
"Again, the doctors have reminded us that he is still critical and will need additional surgery in the future. He’s recovery will be slow and will possibly span out over a couple of months.
"Please keep Damien in your thoughts and prayers," she added.
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