‘Miracle’ Singapore OFW recovers from a stroke, aneurysm, coma

A Filipina domestic helper working in Singapore was called a "miracle lady" by her doctors and nurses after she woke up from a three-day coma, and rapidly recovered from a brain aneurysm and a stroke.

"Fast recovery daw ako. Kahit sinong nurse. Kahit 'yung mga Pilipino, kahit 'yung mga Pinay, kahit 'yung mga Chinese. Sabi nila, I'm very, very strong daw. Tapos 'yung fighting spirit ko, grabe. Kahit 'yung mga doctor ko, sabi, 'You're a miracle lady,'" OFW Risa Anne Bernabisa said on a Saturday "24 Oras Weekend" report.

Bernabisa' employer had rushed the Filipina to a hospital after she was found unconscious.

"I thought she was dying in my arms just right in front of me. And my children was (sic) just next to me. And, as a mother, I wanted to protect my kids but I had to save her life," said the employer, Celine Lacouture.

The first of the three surgeries performed on Bernabisa cost S$100,000, equivalent to almost P4 million. Despite the amount, her employer did not think twice in trying to help her.

"My husband and I decided, 'Okay, we're still young. We can still make money. But we have to save her life.' That is the most important thing," explained Lacouture.

Bernabisa thanked her employers for saving her life, especially since hospital staff had little hope she would wake up from her coma.

"Sabi ko, 'Lord, huwag mo muna akong kunin. Alam mo naman na 'yung nanay at tatay ko, paano nalang sila? 'Yung mga kapatid ko,'" Bernabisa had prayed.

International news reports of Bernabisa's recovery caught the attention of several donors who helped with the medical expenses.

Nevertheless, Bernabisa appealed to the public for more help as she still had to settle S$77,000, or roughly P3 million, in hospital bills. — Margaret Claire Layug/DVM/KBK, GMA News