Samboy’s ‘hospital home’ readied

MANILA, Philippines - PBA legend Samboy Lim is now close to a month in a state of sleep but as he has been moved from the Intensive Care Unit to the Intermediate Care Unit and now, to a regular room at The Medical City, his family is now preparing a “hospital” home to care for the stricken star.

Lim, 52, was transferred to a regular room the other night after spending over two weeks in ICU and another week in the step-down Intermediate Care Unit preparatory to an eventual discharge from the hospital. What makes his family hopeful of a recovery is Lim’s spirit. While a trache has been attached to his throat to expel mucous, he breathes on his own and his vital organs are functioning.

Brain damage is confirmed but the severity is not known. An electroencephalography (EEG) shows the brain is alive but his brain waves appear slow. Lim’s brain was without oxygen for over 23 minutes and the rule of thumb is damage sets in only beyond a limit of six minutes. Doctors said the probability of revival is less for a person who is over 40 years old but because of Lim’s athletic body, wouldn’t rule out a full recovery.

Lim’s ex-wife Lelen Berberabe, who has taken charge of his treatment, said the family is now looking forward to taking him home. She said Lim’s trache and PEG (percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy) are in place. The trache in the neck allows Lim to breathe through a direct opening in the windpipe without the use of the nose or mouth while the PEG is a tube inserted in the mouth to the stomach for feeding purposes.

“Sam’s organs are all stable,” said Berberabe, a lawyer and president/CEO of Home Mutual Development Fund or Pag-Ibig Fund. “His blood pressure and heart are fine. He could be discharged for home care soon. We are now preparing to buy all medical equipment and hospital bed to set up a hospital room at home. We continue to believe that he will wake up soon.”

Berberabe said the family is overwhelmed by the concern shown by Lim’s friends and fans. Norman Black, who coached San Miguel Beer to a PBA Grand Slam in 1989 featuring Lim, and Danny Seigle are among so many who have called Berberabe to express support. The Philippine Star president-CEO Miguel Belmonte initiated a fund drive for Lim through a series of newspaper ads. “Coach Norman and I talked,” she said. “He’d like to help out and see me after Christmas. I’m grateful for Coach’s love for Sam. I’ve seen the ads made by Miguel and I’ve thanked him.”

Berberabe said those who wish to participate in the fund-raising drive for Lim may deposit their donations to Banco De Oro current account No. 7018006040 in favor of Darlene Berberabe In Trust For Jamie Christine B. Lim, their 17-year-old daughter. “We appreciate every peso that is put into the fund because of the love that comes with it,” she said. “When I was interviewed recently by media on the Pag-Ibig Fund, half of the questions were about Sam. I guess it can’t be helped because so many love him.”

Berberabe said the outpouring of love for Lim is humbling and heart-tugging. “Just an affirmation of how the family has known Sam, as one of the best human beings I know, selfless, humble, extremely talented and always trying to outdo himself, generous with his love and talent, one who wants to give the best life possible for his loved ones,” she added. “I really hope to see him back, if God wills it. The world is so much better if he’s in it.”

Berberabe said she hopes to find a two-bedroom condo unit to rent for Lim. The plan is for Lim’s only brother Bonbon to stay in the unit. “We’re looking for a place close to The Medical City and accessible to his family,” she continued. “Since Bon is renting a studio for himself, we have agreed that we will rent a two-bedroom condo and he could stay in one room and we will set up a hospital room in the other.”

Berberabe said the family will engage the services of a palliative doctor to visit Lim regularly at home and a nurse on a 24/7 watch. The palliative doctor will provide overall supervision of Lim’s hospice care. “We’re buying all the hospital equipment, including a hospital bed, after Christmas so we hope to find a condo that suits Sam’s needs as soon as possible,” she said.

Berberabe assured Lim’s fans that the family is doing everything to ensure he is provided the utmost medical and loving care. “We still wait for Sam to wake up or to have purposeful movements,” she said. “The tube in the mouth was moved to his throat but it’s more for the mucous that needs to be expelled. He breathes on his own. Doctors are recommending chronic care facility for better medical supervision.”

Lim suffered a cardiac arrest after playing six minutes in an exhibition game at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig last Nov. 28. He collapsed and was rushed to the Medical City where emergency doctors found no pulse upon his admission. Lim was revived and placed in therapeutic hypothermia for 48 hours to prevent further damage to the brain. A CT Scan showed no swelling of the brain and a functional brain stem. Lim has displayed positive signs of recovery like yawning and pupil reactivity but still remains in a coma.