A Prosperous New Year to Everyone!!!

As we look forward to a new year, may we thank you for being part of our lives.
Many of you changed our lives for the better, helping our dear daughter Yam,
grasp on to another lease of life.

MAY OUR LORD GOD BLESS YOU ALL WITH A FULFILLING,
HEALTHY AND PROSPEROUS YEAR!!!

Caring for the Caregivers

Two Sundays ago, I was privileged to attend a meeting at the Davao Medical Center. Xai, the dedicated and gregarious worker of the Kythe Foundation, sent me a text message the previous night informing me of the event. She called the event "Parents' Day- Off" and was to start at 2 o'clock. Attending were parents of pediatric cancer patients at the hospital. In the early evening, a modest "Children's Party" was tendered to "resident" pediatric cancer patients.

Finding my way to the meeting place, I arrived in the nick of time and meekly joined the parents' assembly. While some parents came all by their lonesome, not a few tagged their sick child along. It was like a prayer meeting where praise songs were sung and words of encouragement were shared. Then the pack was divided into smaller groups where the members shared their experiences and mutually drew strength from each other. While each has his own unique story to tell, there were many common strands which everyone easily identified with. Prayers were then said amidst the natural bonding felt among strangers with common concerns. The event was both therapeutic and instructive.

After sharing modest snacks provided and served by members of the Rotaract, a short debriefing ensued. The parents then moved on to the newly-built Hope building where more intimate conversations were held.

In the early evening, a party was tendered to the pediatric cancer patients. Two civic organizations sponsored the party - Rotaract and De Molay. I went there in my private capacity to find out how I can get involved and how to serve in my own little way.

There are a few things I can emphasize:

1. There is a growing number of pediatric cancer patients in the region. Only a few obtain medical attention due to any or a combination of these reasons: ignorance or misappreciation of the illness, economic, geographical access to health facilities or health workers.

2. More than 70% of those who get medical attention eventually drop out and don't come back for medical attention. Where are they? Chances are, they have gone ahead or waiting for their time to expire.

3. Many parents accept the proverbial "death sentence" ascribed to cancer, not knowing that many pediatric cancer cases are curable.

4. There is a dearth of health facilities and support systems for cancer patients. More so, the aspect of caring for the care-givers is a neglected need.

Thus, the importance of this social gathering among people with a common predicament. Who else but those who underwent similar circumstances could share their insights and experiences in a passionate, compassionate and soothing manner. The sharing even goes beyond these things and embraces aspects like resource generation, patient care, sibling and parental role and involvement, as well as understanding of the disease and the diseased.

I am very appreciative and thankful for the efforts made by people and organizations to support cancer patients and their parents. I thank the Rotaract, the De Molay, the Kythe Foundation and some individuals for this event. But more so for their loving hearts. Helping others and helping them help themselves go a long, long way in alleviating the hardship of those undergoing this difficult experience. Providing the needed support do not only enhance the chances for healing. If the ultimate healing inevitably comes, then the patient goes with dignity. And, let's not forget: care for the caregivers as well.

Birthdays

October 17 and 18. Birthdays are thanksgiving time. I am not personally so keen about my own birthday. But having seen my kids grow and stay away from home, birthdays are best appreciated as a time to get together and thank the Lord for each other. And more importantly, thank the Lord for the family and friends.

What if you have two birthdays? My daughter Yam had a second lease of life after a successful bone marrow transplant last year. Her first transplant anniversary was on September 25 and she was 12 years old on October 18. Yes, two birthdays for Yam. Two birthdays, too in succession - Yam's elder sister Janice was 16 years old on October 17.

Thanksgiving indeed. Janice invited six of her high school friends at home on the 17th. On the 18th, Yam who is doing home study for 3 to 4 months, after a 3-week hospitalization last month, visited her class and brought some food. It was a super duper time for about an hour with 25 boisterious kids in their classroom. Thanks for the special time alloted by Yam's Teacher Rose.

Is it any wonder that thanksgiving is always done with food? The nearest reason I can say is perhaps because food impels us to an attitude of gratitude.

1st Anniversary

Today is Yam's 1st Bone Marrow Transplant Anniversary. Yeah, happy anniversary and long, happy, fulfilling life to Yam!!!

(Yam is at front extreme right with Grade 6 classmates at Philippine Women's College of Davao City, photo taken August 2007)

Looking Forward

23 September 2007. It’s just two days from now and Yam celebrates the first year anniversary of her bone marrow transplant. Sounds remarkably good? It is.

Two days ago, she was discharged from a five-day hospitalization at the Asian Hospital in Muntinlupa after 13 days at the San Pedro Hospital, Davao City. She had intermittent fever and persistently low blood counts. Relapse was ruled out while still at San Pedro. Infection with the dreaded cytomegalovirus was ruled out on her third day at Asian. She still has low blood counts which she needs to recover from before going back to school, perhaps in a week.

Setbacks are not uncommon to patients like her. After transplant, she bounced back fast. She engrafted two days earlier than usual, was discharged a week earlier than most, and was cleared to travel back to Davao three weeks earlier than the 100 day mark. It was generally smooth sailing from here with few setbacks. These included the need to administer valganciclovir to control cytomegalovirus two days after her initial discharge last October, an involuntary muscle contraction due to ion imbalance last February, hives in July, a bacterial infection in August, and this period.

Looking forward to the first year anniversary, was it really worth all the risk? We considered two views. First, that of medical science:

"The hope with a transplant is to cure the underlying disease," says Christopher Bredeson, M.D., M.S., assistant professor of medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin. "Chemotherapy, on the other hand, is not a cure..." Relapse rate in chemotherapy patients is very high, while in the transplant patients it is much lower. That would seem to make a transplant the treatment of choice -- no question. But there is another factor to consider: there is up-front mortality with BMT. Between 20 percent and 40 percent of patients die of complications directly related to bone marrow transplant. One of these is Graft-vs-Host Disease (GVHD) which occurs when the cells from donor bone marrow attack the host cells it considers foreign.

"It's a balancing act," Dr. Bredeson says. "In a young patient, a transplant may be worth the risk for long life. In an older patient who says 'I just want to see my grandson get married in the fall,' it may not be."

Our view when we were in the maelstrom of decision-making was perhaps typical of parents. We just wanted to do everything and anything for our daughter. We didn’t leave things to chance, we didn’t relish the thoughts of, “what if…”, “why didn’t we…”. We confronted the situation like it was war, and we were determined to win. Or if we were to lose, then we lose with our boots on.

Now, more than a year after deciding on the transplant, we feel secured of our decision. The setbacks, preventive measures, periodic check up and treatment our daughter needed to go through after the transplant are but integral consequences of that decision.

Today, we are looking forward to relish our daughter’s long, meaningful life, and to better appreciate the "why" of all these things. These, to us and the countless good Samaritans who helped us, is the heart of the matter.

Cool, Calm, Collected

18 September 2007. Are these what we really feel? Or what we are trying to feel? I guess it’s more of the former than the latter.

Two days back, Dr. Jeannie Ong, Yam’s pediatrician in Davao, briefed us on Yam’s bone marrow aspirate analysis. It was negative for blasts, the immature blood cells that can rapidly multiply to a leukemia level. But her bone marrow remained hypo-cellular, meaning it is not yet producing enough blood cells. The first was enough to allay our fears of a leukemia relapse – one that was not ruled out until this result came out.

This result was also sufficient to make us feel this way – cool, calm and collected. But are these not the feelings that aptly describe one who musters courage under stress and distress?

While Yam was at San Pedro Hospital, her energy level spiked up each time Kuya John visited her from his work in Polomolok. Upon our arrival at the airport, her eyes sparkled at the sight of her Kuya Joseph. Last night, she silently listened that her Kuya Joseph listed her as his dependent in his group health insurance and her hospitalization will be partly paid for by this. And when her Ate Janice arrived from school to pay her a visit and spend the night with her, her lips widened with a smile. She then rose up and bantered with her until they retired for the night.

Looking at all these, Mom and Dad just sat down, observed them do their thing, looked at each other, silently convinced why they felt this way.

Composed, Unruffled

Sunday, 16 September 2007. A year ago, two days off the exact date, our daughter Yam was admitted at the Asian Hospital where she had bone marrow transplant. Today, she is discharged from the San Pedro Hospital, Davao City and immediately flies off with Mom and Dad to Manila to be admitted at the Asian Hospital. Again!!!

For 13 days, she was confined and treated at San Pedro for fever and weakness due to depressed blood counts. But the real cause can not be ascertained after several and repeated laboratory tests, and two blood cultures. On the course of hospitalization, she had mouth sores and intermittent fever attributed to fungal and possibly bacterial infection. Medications were focused to control both but the viral aspect needed specific information. Suspicion is rife that the cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the culprit. But the test for this dangerous virus for immuno-compromised patients like Yam must be done within an hour of extraction. And such test was not available in Davao City.

Looking back, Yam had a successful bone marrow transplant on September 25 last year. She had an amazing comeback, engrafting in 12 days, getting out of the hospital in 35 days and being allowed to fly back to Davao prior to the critical 100 days post-transplant. She had an imbalance that manifested in involuntary muscle contraction in February and was medically cleared to go back to school in June. She then had a mild set back due to hives in July, a week of bacterial infection in early August, and then this 13-day hospitalization. Each setback episode was invariably preceded by a somewhat hectic schedule of activities which could have exposed her to an infectious environment under a stressful condition.

Always a fighter, Yam gathered her strength to enjoy the trip to Manila. Dad had to make arrangements with airport management for her to bypass normal passenger protocol and given the necessary assistance as a medical patient. Yam’s physician at Asian Hospital, Dr. Francis Lopez, personally arranged for her hospital admission upon arrival on a Sunday. Her Kuya Joseph was at the airport to meet us upon arrival.

Upon seeing the Asian Hospital’s distinct façade from afar, she displayed feelings of nostalgia. We breezed through admission, and then were assisted to Room 813, which is directly above Room 713 where Yam stayed for more than a month last year. Both rooms are fitted with a special ventilation system and an ante-room for bone marrow transplant patients, with the amenities of a five-star hotel. She went around the room, looking for familiar details, tried out the automated mechanisms of her bed, pointed to the built-in medical accessories, then lied down to wait for her nurse. In a few minutes, a couple of nurses came over with one so familiar that she blurted out Yam’s name immediately. The place seemed like a home to Yam as she identified with it quite intimately. But behind the comfort of the place, I would exchange this with the tough and adventurous home I’ve known from childhood - if only because of the health condition attached to the former.

Before sunset, Dr. Allan Racho, Yam’s pediatrician visited. He had comforting words – that Yam doesn’t appear toxic and her vital signs appear normal, except for the persistently depressed blood counts.

Overall, we feel composed and unruffled. Times like this repeatedly test our priorities. And indelibly cement into our psyche the things that really matter to us.

Anxious...

13 September 2007. It's ten days now. Yes that's how long my daughter Yam is in the hospital.

Since being back to school in June after a bone marrow transplant in September last year, we had been very careful and protective of her. Last month after a rather active week, she was to join an essay writing contest. On our way, she suddenly wept saying we can't proceed. She wasn't feeling well. On the days ahead, she was at home nursing bacterial infection.

Two weeks ago, she spent a night with her closest friend. Then the week that followed was an exam week. On Saturday of that week, she joined the regional science quiz where her team placed third overall. The quiz was in nearby Panabo City. On our travel back home, she just lied down at the back of the van, seemingly energy-sapped from the long day's activities. She immediately slept after reaching home. The following day, she was nursing a fever. When we brought her to her pediatrician on the succeeding Monday, we were immediately advised that she be admitted.

Her lab analysis shows that her blood counts were low. Her blood culture yielded no distinct bacterial growth. But in a couple of days, she developed mouth sores. It was the candida fungus. She was then subjected to viral tests but no conclusive resuls as yet.

Mean time, she remains in the hospital. Suspicion of a possible cytomagalovirus is at hand, but the test must be done in Manila since it must be done within an hour of blood extraction. Yam's condition improved a bit, her mouth sores more manageable. But her blood counts remained low.

Anxious. That's the normal feeling for a not so normal situation.

300th Post-Transplant Day

"Thank you Lord for my 300th post-transplant day."

This was Yam's prayer on the morning of July 22. She looked forward to this day since she was back to school on the second week of June. Since then she reconnected with her friends. While she can't participate in strenuous activities yet, she spends much of her time in school. She was nominated as class secretary, but didn't make it. She was elected president of the Book Lovers Club though.

Since getting back to school, Yam was absent for a couple of days due to colds. Lately she had occasional bouts of urticaria or hives. Her lab tests eventually indicated the this is more environment-related allergy than transplant-related.

We are looking forward to late September when Yam will have her chromosomal tests. This test will be conclusive.

We stay grateful to Yam's and our friends for your support, encouragement and prayers.

To Manila for Bone Marrow Transplant

September 13, 2006

Yam, with her parents and Ate Cathy, flew from Davao to Manila on September 9. She was to meet with her physicians at the Asian Hospital and Medical Center on Monday, September 11. Upon arrival in Manila, the group proceeded to Ayala Alabang where Yam will stay prior to, and after, hospitalization.

At her home, Helen Macasaet, an ICT executive and company owner, was waiting with a sumptuous lunch ready. She expected the party to arrive for late lunch. She had a room ready and amenities prepared. Helen and her children, Ray James (RJ) and Aileen, will host the family in need. Yam enjoyed milling around the house, watched a DVD, played with Ate Aileen’s numerous teddy bears and found the mother of her own favorite bear, Ashlee. She named her Mama Lily Bear.

On Monday, September11, Yam and her parents consulted with Dr Francis Lopez and Dr Allan Racho. Both doctors are known in their fields: Dr Lopez for internal medicine, hematology and medical oncology which includes bone marrow transplantation, and Dr Racho for pediatric hematology and oncology. Both very good-looking, the doctors were very good-mannered, good-humored and really good as persons. They made their patient very comfortable and so with the parents.

On Tuesday, September 12, Yam met with Dr Rodolfo Tuazon, a pediatric-surgeon who is to put a vascular access device for Yam’s blood and medicine infusion and transfusion upon admission. The parents realized that Yam had an international medical team (no pun and fun intended): Dr Lopez is “Tisoy”, Dr Tuazon is “Chinoy” and Dr Racho a 100% Bol-anon.

On Wednesday, September 13, Yam and her parents, Aunt Puring and Uncle Niko, met with the top guns at the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office to receive a guarantee letter for her hospitalization. She met with Chairman Sergio Valencia and Director Tess Gonzales and had pictures taken with other PCSO directors.

September 15, 2006

Yam was admitted to the Asian Hospital and Medical Center at 11 am on September 14, 2006. After the routine check up, she underwent a minor surgical procedure in the afternoon to insert a femoral central line, a device for blood transfusion and extraction, including medicine infusion. What was expected to get done in 30 minutes extended to an hour and a half.

Before admission, Yam had a hearty breakfast and some pictures taken with her gracious hosts: Helen and Aileen Macasaet. At the hospital lobby, Yam had a talk with Nina Surban, a mother of three, who had a successful bone marrow transplant (BMT) in April this year. Nina was so kind to give Yam a hug and pep talk. In the evening, Helen and Aileen visited Yam at her room (713) and brought her a cute koala bear.

Yam is the 23th BMT patient at the Asian Hospital. Her case is very similar to that of Nicole Figueroa, the first BMT patient in December 2002, who is back to school and reaping academic honors.

Yam started her chemotherapy today up to September 23. The transplant is on the 25th.

September 20, 2006

September 15. Yam’s second day at the hospital was made significant by visit from friends. In the morning, Kenneth Sy came with Father Dominic and two others. May Ferreros dropped by and had a peep at Yam. In the afternoon, Dax and Cesar Maligalig visited and volunteered some members of their family as blood donors. Ferdie Figueroa, father of Asian Hospital’s first BMT patient, dropped by to say hello.

Meanwhile, Yam continued taking dilantin to prevent seizures. She started chemotherapy with busulfan to begin wiping out her bone marrow to make room for the new set of stem cells that will be infused to her.

In the evening of the same day in Mati, Davao Oriental where Yam’s Dad works, a benefit show was staged by students. Several student groups prepared a variety of presentations and heightened the community’s awareness on the deadly disease of leukemia. In addition to the students was a cross-section of the community which came for Yam’s cause.

September 16. This day passed quietly with regular medications.

September 17. A pot luck lunch was held at Tita Helen’s house to welcome Yam. Tita Helen and the guests feasted on carbonara, fried chicken, frozen durian, pomelo, cake and a variety of goodies. Bitty Palines came all the way from Batangas, Aubert Escio who works in Arizona Dad’s Manila-based batchmates were around: Bitcha Letargo, Linda Broch (with daughter Isabella), President Galo, Joel Morata (with family) and Mon Perdon. Dad’s college classmate and brod, Atty Rene Espano (and family) also came. Mon Tayag called in from Toronto and got almost everyone on the phone. When Atty Pol Poblador, who lives some blocks away didn’t show up, the group drove to his house and had coffee, strawberry shake and a tour around his newly-constructed abode. arrived.

September 18-19. Yam continued with her medications. She started ATG on the 19th, a drug that prevents tissue rejection and prepares her body for new cells. Expected side effects include fever and chills. Both side effects manifested moderately on this day but Yam’s mood almost immediately fouled up. She slept through the afternoon and didn’t take in anything. Meanwhile, blood donors from the Philippine Marines (arranged by Ate Aileen’s friend Triska and her dad, Retired Admiral Art Garrido) and from nearby community arrived for screening at the hospital’s blood center.

September 20. This day is the most eventful so far. Minutes after the second dose of ATG was infused, Yam chilled.The chilling became so intense that she pleaded that the infusion be stopped. It was a struggle for 30 minutes even as several blankets were placed on top of her. Kuya John massaged her feet, Mom took care of every thing she says and the nurse made sure clinical signs were at tolerable levels. After this episode and as Yam stablilized, Dad was at the blood center and met Mr. Montegrande, an elderly patient who had BMT in April 2005. He related his own ordeal with ATG. His narrative gave relieving assurance that the anguish is but a temporary and a necessary step along the path to wellness.

September 24, 2006

September 21. Yam is on the third day of ATG, an immuno-suppressant. On the previous day, this drug sent Yam to unbearable chills. So when Yam showed signs of chills and began to complain, Dad put on part of his weight on her thinking that it might help suppress the shivers. It didn’t. So Dad prayed that, if possible, the discomfort be conducted to him. True to her being courageous in spite of the pain, Yam overcame.

Soon after the chills were over, her blood pressure and temperature shut up. The ATG was stopped, resumed after an hour, stopped again and resumed another time until finally consumed.

Blood counts also went down which required red blood cell infusion. Platelet count likewise plummeted to 59k from 313k two days ago. Thankfully, a donor (Butch Caneda, a nurse working in Saudi and on vacation) came and patiently waited for the apheresis procedure. A second donor was also screened and bled.

September 22-23. The ATG days are over!!! Yam was administered with cytoxan, a chemo drug meant to wipe out the remaining bone marrow. She was very stable except that she didn’t like to take in anything. Dr Racho visited in the evening after he was called in.

At the hospital’s blood bank was a long line of prospective donors. Yam’s own donors had to wait for a long time before being attended to. We were informed that the dengue outbreak increased the demand for blood and platelet. While donors for Yam were more than sufficient in number, the special procedure needed for her led to the disqualification of some. The daily long line of donors and the concerned comments we heard from patients’ relatives has taught us the value of blood donation. Such agencies like the Red Cross and many other organizations that maintain a blood donor database should indeed be helped in any way we can. Lives are saved through the simple act of many.

September 24. This was a rest day for Yam. No drugs today, only prophylactics. Dr Racho visited in the afternoon.

September 25: Transplant Day

September 25, 2006
Bone Marrow Transplant Day

On the preceding day, John (the donor) was admitted at Yam’s adjacent room (714). He was given the Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor (GCSF) for the fourth day. Even after admission, John attended to Yam’s blood donors who waited patiently in the long queue. In effect, he was the only patient in the hospital who was doing errands. In the evening, John downed four pieces of oranges and six pieces of bananas in preparation for the harvest.

On BMT Day, a precision-timed series of events unfolded. John woke up early, prepared himself and finished breakfast by 7am. A few minutes after, surgeon Dr. Salvador Abad Santos with an assistant, came into the room to insert the central line for John’s blood extraction. He bantered and pep-talked. Then Med Tech Aura Posada came in with the apheresis machine just when John was ready for it. The contraptions were prepared and at 7:30am, the machine began its job. By 1:30pm, 160 ml of stem cells was harvested and brought to the laboratory for analysis and counting.

Meanwhile, Yam was being prepared at the other room. Mixtures of medicines were administered while she was emotionally being revved up. Yam’s physicians, Drs. Francis Lopez and Allan Racho and the team of nurses were all in the room. Dr Lopez explained the BMT process and as soon as the stem cells arrived from the lab, transfusion to Yam started in no time at all.

While the stem cells were being received by Yam, the well-mannered physicians spent time to narrate stories about their BMT patients. Dad and Mom were inquisitive and the physicians patiently fielded and answered all queries, trivial or not. Yam is the 23rd BMT patient since the first was done in December 2002 and is the 9th pediatric case. She is the third patient this year after Nina Surban and a certain Mr Wang. A fourth, whose case is very similar to Yam’s, was just admitted. Two others are waiting and may undergo the process before the year ends.

The First Two Post Transplant Weeks

September 30, 2006

The First Five Days After

Yam’s first five days after transplant were uneventful compared to Typhoon Milenyo which overshadowed Yam’s mundane world, at least for a day. Medicines were administered on the basis of doctors’ observations. The five days passed with doctors neither sighing of worry nor expressing much concern. Thank God, Yam had no mouth sore, no chills, no irritations, no fever (until the 5th day) – all expected side effects that would have manifested at any of the five days.

As if the transplant was as ordinary as her regular treatment (she has seen harder days), Yam fielded phone calls from her sister Janice (in Davao City) and brother Joseph (in Cebu City). She giggled, smiled and chuckled as she gamely answered her siblings’ queries on her BMT and other treatment procedures. She also had her first chance to browse through her mailbox. (Yam’s email address is: yama_moto_shita@yahoo.com).

Typhoon Milenyo blew its power and fury on the 28th and downed billboards and trees. Civic Road, where Asian Hospital is located, was impassable due to uprooted trees and torn branches waylaid on the road. On this day, Drs Racho, Lopez and Tuazon came in one after the other. Dr Tuazon, who inserted a second femoral line, was worried at Yam’s low platelet count which compromises blood clotting. Finding slight bleeding on the wound, he dressed it and applied pressure until the blood sufficiently coagulated. The available platelets taken from two donors were also infused so that there was a frantic search for the next donor. Thankfully, and as God willed it, kind-hearted people are on stand-by….

October 5, 2006
The Second Five Days After

Yam’s second five post-transplant days were like a roller-coaster ride: boring and exciting, unsettling and soothing, disturbing and assuring, distressing and serene. Boring due to the long days of waiting; exciting when her white blood cells registered the first increase on the 8th post-transplant day – an early sign of engraftment. Unsettling and disturbing with the onset of fever, cough, sudden weight gain and abdominal pain; but soothing and assuring as the fever and cough were “normal”, and as the gain was gone and the pain was eased soon after Yam purged the cause. Distressing because of the varied manifestations in Yam’s delicate body and her undulating emotional state, but we are profoundly serene knowing that we have countless friends, relatives and many people we have not met, who are firmly behind her. Most importantly, God is undoubtedly on our side.

The best news is in Dr Allan Racho’s (Yam’s pediatrician) text message on Thursday, October 5, morning: “Good news. Yam Bayogan has engrafted today. She is tolerating the transplant and barring hitches, (she may be) discharged (sooner than expected).

Dr Jeannie Ong, Yam’s pediatrician in Davao City immediately sent this message: “Congratulations to Yam. Praise God!!!)

Also, allow us to share some of the messages we received which gave us the steadying strength and encouragement in caring for our daughter:

"You are welcome. It’s really because God is on your side." (UP President Emer Roman, in response to our thanking her for clinching a generous assistance from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office)

“COURAGE!!! This, plus a never-wavering faith in Him who draws the grand plan for all of us, is what I constantly pray for you and your family. Please tell Yam we all love her like our very own and that we always think and pray for her.” (Baby Rimando & Family, family friends, Baguio City)

"I'm one of Yam's biggest fan. Kasi ganun din ako, 'against all odds.' Hope to see her in person when I get there." (Uly Marquez, Dad’s high school batchmate, New Jersey, USA)

"From us, hug Yam close to your heart, let her feel your heartbeat.
The warmth and the heartbeat she feels are also coming from us.
Tell her we love her. Her smile brightens our day…
Tell Yam that there is so much that we need to do for the UP and for our people.
That Yam is needed in doing these tasks. She has to be very, very strong.
And we know she is. Especially during these times… Yam, smile.
Blow us a kiss across cyberspace. "
(Cesar Torres, UP alumnus and former UP Professor, California, USA)

October 10, 2006
The Exciting Days

October 5 was expected to be an average day. But while preparing for the day, Dad received a text message, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN WEEKS from Yam!!! The message said, “Hello Daddy-doo. Si Moto ito (we also call her Yama-Moto). Laro kami ng cards ni Mimz (she calls her Mom, Mimz). I love you Daddy-doo… Yam”. After a quick response assuring her that Dad will arrive in the hospital soon, she texted back, “Okey, ingat Daddy-doo.” Yam is slowly getting BACK to her elements!!!

Later on the same day, Mom received this text message: “Good news! (Yam) Bayogan has engrafted today. She is tolerating the (bone marrow) transplant and barring hitches, (she may be) discharged next week.” This message was from Dr. Allan Racho, Yam’s pediatrician at Asian Hospital, which he sent to Dr. Jeannie Ong, Yam’s pediatrician in Davao. Exhilarated, Dr. Ong appended this text: “Congratulations to Yam. Praise God!” and sent the message to Mom. It was the 10th post-transplant day and engraftment is usually observed on the 12th. On this day, Yam struggled to drink and eat (she was on intravenous feeding for days).

On October 6, Butch Caneda arrived at the hospital for his second platelet donation. It was the 19th donation since Yam was at Asian Hospital. Dad told him, “You are a kadugo twice over.” Meanwhile, Yam’s blood counts registered encouraging increases and on the following day, October 7, she was declared technically engrafted. Nurses assigned on round-the-clock duty gladly returned back to normal schedule. Zet and Judy, Dr. Lopez’s nurses, made sure they had their tour of duty on the last shift.

On his daily visits, Dr. Lopez kept telling Yam to slowly adjust towards normal routine: eat, drink, sit down, stand and move around. She assured Yam that every step forward will result in an IV bottle off the rack. In one visit, Dr. Lopez gamely tickled Yam- to get her going for the day.

On October 9, Yam's red blood cells reached normal level, her white blood count increased to 3.1 with the minimum normal at 4, while her platelet count increased from 22 to 66, still below normal. She has been sitting on her chair since morning, lied down on bed after lunch and consumed a bowl-full of oatmeal. Discussions on post-hospitalization procedures and what to expect started, including her weekly visits to Asian Hospital and weekly laboratory tests that will be done at the National Kidney Institute.

Meanwhile, Dad is back to his work site and was met by colleagues eager to know the latest about Yam. He also received a call from a friend requesting if he could get in touch with a mother in General Santos City whose 15-year old son needs bone marrow transplant - soon! With this, it seems that a new cycle of “friends helping friends” has began…

Letters From Friends (May 2006)

16 May 2006

Dear Junie,

I will never forget how you wrote to me and Ruben words of encouragement and prayers when I went through breast cancer in 2004. Please do not feel that you are bothering us when it comes to events like this. You will NEVER be a burden in any way to us.

I printed your letter and will give it to Ruben when he comes home tonight. He will be home by midnight (noon your time). Can you please give me a phone number where we can reach you? I know he would want to talk to you too.

I will include Yam in my prayers. Meantime, hang in there. God works in very mysterious ways and I am one proof of His endless mercies.

Always,

Tata

--------
29 May 2006

dear junie,

I am saddened to learn that your daughter, yam, has AML. It makes me more appreciative of my daughter's good health despite being hard-headed (pero mas matigas ang ulo ko nung teen-ager ako siempre). The bright side of it is there are a lot of advances in the medicine and a lot of these cancers have good responses to treatment now, some can even be cured!

We will be praying for her recovery, junie. If there is anything we can do to help (at the very least, moral support), tell us brod.

raul


30 May 2006 06:08

Junie,

No need to apologize. I know you were on your way out. Actually also had to sign off right after i sent the text.

I will forward your email to my sister, just in case you need additional consultants.

I first heard the news from Glenn last Sunday while at the PSHS golf tournament organized by Gen. Esperon. Glenn however was not sure of the situation, just that Yama was scheduled for chemo. Then yesterday, your son's friend Diego Rimando texted me from Baguio that Yama was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, and that's when I texted you.

Let's all pray together...as you may know, my sister Mianne underwent chemo 12 years ago for cancer and has been in remission ever since. Our Lord is merciful.

Have a safe trip Junie!

Danny

Letters From Friends (June 2006)

3 Jun 2006 14:34

Dearest Junie

The Lord works in ways which we do not always comprehend. My 80 year old dad was diagnosed last August with terminal thoracic cancer. A survivor of two lung cancer operations, a quintuple heart bypass and a "minor" heart surgery where a stent was inserted, dad accepted his fate. We did too.

But then in January, dad slipped and had to have hip surgery. He could no longer walk or play golf, his two passions in life. His hip surgery went well and we again praised the Lord.

Then dad fell again. My faith faltered.

I have regained my faith. Dad is slowly getting on with his life, or what's left of it. I see my mom weakening in the face of the impending loss of her life's partner. Mom herself is a survivor of stomach cancer, which has left her physically weak.
I feel the Lord sent me these challenges to challenge my faith. And to tell me I am a Christian because of Him, who died for me on the Cross, and not because of me, who tries to do good and to be strong. I have emerged a better Christian because of it. Not perfect, but better, and definitely still growing.

I know not what God's plan is for you and your daughter. I pray that He will listen to the many prayers for Yam, and for you, her loved ones.

Our prayers join those of many others.

Love,
Linda, Peter, Paul David and Isabella


3 Jun 2006 05:51

Hey Junie:

Kamusta na? Got the yahoogroup trail of messages regarding your daughter's illness. Needless to say she will be in our daily prayers.

My daughter, now 8, has a classmate diagnosed with tumor in the abdomen; went through chemo and surgery and goes to school with a bonnet to cover her bald head. But her spirit amazes me! She's as spunky as any 8 year old can be! I think the kids handle these things better than we adults do. I pray for wisdom for the doctors caring for her.

BTW, I was able to get chemo drugs at cost from the pharmaceutical companies for my brother in law who was battling colon cancer years ago. Let me know if I can help. Hang in there and we'll keep praying. Also, if you want to do your own research, a helpful website is: www.medscape.org..., go into the oncology (cancer) section and look up the latest on AML.

Tisha


04 Jun 2006 22:06

Junie,

Will call then on what time some batchmates can meet up with you at your most convenient time on Tuesday. There has not been a chance yet for Yam to meet our batch. But I'm sure we'll find a way on how we can express our deep concern for this trial that came your way. The Lord has very special reasons for such situations in our lives. I remember 16 years ago when I have two young kids 7 & 5 and I didn't how I could raised them as a single parent.

But believe it or not I left everything in HIs hands. Nothing has kept me this with you because I know that it is not easy for any mom & dad to see what their baby is going through right now. But Yam, even in her young mind, must have offered to Him this illness and it is what will keep her on high spirits because He will be always be gracious to give her the strength to pull through all those chemos. And I know she will be blessed with such strength.

Junie, please let me know anything that our batch may offer to be of help to you. Just remember that we care.... A LOT.

The J-Len
-----

12 Jun 2006 08:30

Dear Brod Junie,

Thanks for the update. It is comforting to see that you are maintaining your great sense of humor. It shows your strong resolve and courage. As a parent myself, it is really hard to see any child of ours go through this. Yam’s pictures say it all too – she is a happy and very confident young woman. My family will continue to pray and hope for her recovery.

Extend our regards to Emma.

Don’t worry about your hair. Mine is starting the thinning process too now. We might as well form a balding support group soon.

Regards,
Manny

Letters From Friends (July 2006)

July 16 2006

Hi Jon,

I may be a little late on Wednesday as I forgot that I have a prior engagement (USNAAA Phil Chapter dinner). Anyway, rest assured that we will help in anyway we can.

Jun
-------

18 july

Hi Jonathan & Emma,

Maybe this article will give you a bigger picture on how to go about bmt. I suggest that you try to get as much options as possible. At least by the time you need to make a decision, you have something to choose from.

Let me know if there's anything else I can do to help. Don't be ashamed. Helping you is nothing compared to all the help I once received. And I'm pretty sure, later on, you will do the same. You will just be overwhelmed with God's love & blessings.

For everything you do, always ask for His guidance. Keep the faith!

Ferdie
---

20 july

Hi Jon,

I understand from the text messages of Puring and Emma that you're in Manila to evaluate which Hospital would be best for Yam's bone marrow transplant procedure. Evidently you had visited or contacted St. Luke's and it appeared it's more expensive than Asian Medical, but that you're still to visit Asian Medical.

I have no idea what would be possible, but when you had made the comparisons, I was thinking of talking to Mr. Robert Kuan and ask if SLMC could match that of Asian Med., only because we're more familiar with SLMC and the surrounding support network there. Mr. Kuan is the Chairman of the Board of St. Luke's. If you have more time in Manila, I can try to get the two of you to meet and discuss the concern. He responds very well with text messaging. Let me know what your itinerary is like.

For Yam, I would have no reservation in asking/soliciting help. I can promise this. I don't have any estimate of what response there is, but there's no way of knowing until we try. Please keep me posted.

Thanks. May God's presence mightily hover over all of you, specially with Yam. Amen.

Tony Gomowad

P.S. Puring and Emma have my texting number. Messages go to my computer where I could see it three or four times a day. But I do not carry my cellphone. Advantage of this is that anyone can send me messages anytime, it does not bother me. Disadvantage is that I cannot respond immediately unless it happens that I am in front of my computer when I receive the message.
-------

Jon,

As soon as I get the materials that you send me, including, if possible a picture of "Yam", (your daughter's name is Eunice?) I will write a letter of introduction and connect you with two persons first,

Mr. Harry Paltongan, Vice President of the Company for that Global Community Village in Makati (from Bauko) and Mr. David Tauli in Cagayan. These two had been key in organising the Golf Fundraiser for St. Mary's last year.

If you have Tomas Bayogan's email address, I'd appreciate if you forward it to me.

Take care.

Tony
--------

22july

Hi Jon,

I checked your postings last night. I received the attached letter in text. However, I couldn't open the pictures. Please try to re-send them.

If you re-send them, please copy Dr. Fiar-od, and she can check if it went through to her e-mail address. Otherwise, please give her a hard copy, and she could have it scanned and sent to me in Baguio by my nephew. Or she could do that in Bontoc and give to Puring the pictures.

This is a rare opportunity that you may have a chance to meet in person Caridad Fiar-od, the Vice President of MPSPC, and friend of your older sister, Puring.
Here is Dr. Caridad's CP No.... She has yours. Atty Paltongan is supposed to meet her on arrival about 3 PM this afternoon. Have a nice weekend.

Tony
-------

22july

Jon, Thanks. I received the pictures. Yam looks great! As soon as you get back to Mindanao, I will link you up with David Tauli. Let me know if you already know him.

Tony
------

Hi Jon,

Please note that the document attachment came through fine, but none of the pictures came out. Please send it via another way.

I noticed the email address of Estefania Esparza, a long lost acquaintance whose family I met in Las Vegas! Helloooooooooo! Alohaaaaaaa! What a small world! How are your two kids, who must have grown up now! Estefania, please give my regards to your kind husband!

Jon, our prayers are with you and specially with Yam.

Tony Gomowad
-------

25 july

Dear Sir,

I was once a student of yours many moons ago.

I was wondering if Yam would like to read Harry Potter or if she has not read it yet. I would gladly give her my collection if it will give her some enjoyment. Please give me a bank account to deposit stuff.

Layad,
Jennifer
-----

18 Jul 2006 07:02

Hi Jonathan & Emma,

Maybe this article will give you a bigger picture on how to go about bmt. I suggest that you try to get as much options as possible. At least by the time you need to make a decision, you have something to choose from.

Let me know if there's anything else I can do to help. Don't be ashame. Helping you is nothing compared to all the help I once received. And I'm pretty sure, later on, you will do the same. You will just be overwhelmed with God's love & blessings.

For everything you do, always ask for His guidance. Keep the faith!

Ferdie
-----

18 Jul 2006 08:30

Hi Sir Jon,

My students and I have started conceptualizing the website layout for Yama. Please email me on what buttons and links you want in the site. I have attached a .zip file in this message... just click on the INDEX file to open the main page. Bale, di pa namin na-finalize ang text and photos and links kasi kanina lang namin inumpisahan. But i have set a deadline, Monday, July 24. Final copy of the site will be sent to you for approval and whether some changes are needed. Please also comment on the layout... or the photo you want in the main page. There will be a collage of yama's photos on the top part of the page. Would you allow an item in the webpage that will feature the donors/sponsors who have already supported/helped yama para naman ma-enganyo ang ibang tao na mag-donate. If so, please provide me with the text of the Credits/Donors page and the people/company who have done their part already.

I will email you again of the website creation progress tomorrow. Basta, tapusin namin on Monday... hopefully.

Please also provide me links of the websites you want na gawin nating Related Links sa webpage. If you have made Yama a journal on her battle against Leukemia, pwede din natin gawan ng isang item na Journal and feature her day-to-day activities after having been diagnosed with AML.

Email me soon.

Leng
------

24 Jul 2006 08:11

Dear Dr. Bayogan,

Sorry for just responding now. Here in Africa, current and internet are things so hard to come by. My parents have already briefed me on your daughter's condition. I am so sorry that I am not there in the Philippines right now (where I can have more access to friends and contacts) but will do my best to help you anyways.

With regards to having your daughter's story on the Medical Observer, I will try to get in touch with my editor regarding this matter. As it is we did an issue on BMT two years ago and the patient also had AML and the donor was from a sibling. The procedure was done at the Asian Hospital and the doctors were from there as well. I will see if my editor will be interested to run the story although I cannot give
guarantees about this. As it is the magazine runs on sponsorship from pharmaceuticals and I am not really sure if they can spare a few pages.

I also asked a family friend of ours for some contacts as she had a nephew who was also stricken with AML and was treated in Asian hospital. Mom will try to give you the details of the Doctors, their contact numbers and the institutions they have approached for help with the costs.

I feel for you and your family and am with you in prayer. In my years a doctor I have seen how hard it is for a family to be torn apart because of the chronic illness of another member.

Till next email (God knows when that will be),

LUCIO
----

24 Jul 2006 18:58

My brothers and sisters,

I ask your prayers for the daughter of our classmate Jonathan. Can we do something to help?Please see below.

Erwin
-----

27 Jul 2006 03:04

Dear Jon,

This weekend, I will carry the Solicitation out to specific persons, and to Anglican Filipino Clergy as well as to the several Military Chaplains who have congregations which group I belong to.

What I do need from you, which is the best option here, is a "Handler/Recipient" with an Account like yours, that has a Non-profit status.

This is essential here so that those who may donate could use their receipts for tax purposes.

Also, you must be aware that nowadays there are several solicitations that are scams, so it makes a world of difference if the "Controller/Account Holder" would be a Church and/or Organisation that has a Non-profit status. I trust that you understand this.

Can you perhaps talk with David Tauli, if he belongs to a registered organisation that can take this up? How about a Church for an alternative/addition?

How was your talk with Atty Paltongan?

I was thinking of following it up with him, and possibly his group in Manila.

Can you give me some names of your SMS batch who are in the USA. I will need this soon, because I want to capitalize on those who would be attending the SMS Alumni Kanyaw in L.A. on July 28th-29th.

Tony
-----

26 Jul 2006 14:12

Jonathan,

I already tried to forward your plea after I read it. I added some of my words there. I'm not sure if it went through because the file seems too big for my mail server. Did you get it? If you did, then it must be okay.

By all means do whatever you want. My heart bleeds reading Yam's plight. May God be with us all.

Harry

===

26 Jul 2006 19:05

Ola Jonathan and Emma,

It is always sad to hear of friends and relatives and kakailians be afflicted with some maladies and most especially children. These are our work here now. Your uncle fred is a pediatrician and he is saddened to learn about Yam. But you know I always believe in the power of prayer.If you hear of healing masses around your area try to go. I have the utmost faith that with medicine along with prayers Yam can conquer her aches and pains.
....

Ala, esten tako ay menkararag ay menkedaw si tulong nan Apo ay manang-nga-asi et kasiyana gumawis to san anaktako.

Komusta kayo amin issa.

Kararag ya layad ay magapu ken dakami isna.

Auntie Ellen isna Texas
--------

26 july

My dear friends,

This is just an added push for the plea. Yam Bayogan is hanging on to dear life.

We first read about the health condition of Eunice Joy "Yam" Valdez Bayogan when Caring and Padi Tony posted it here in the internet. I'm quite sure that many of us have already responded to the plea. Some may haven't yet, so I am forwarding this email and the attached profile of Yam that Jonathan sent to some individuals. I was one of those who read the emails and forgot about them. When I read this latest one from Jonathan I'm glad that he CC'd me), I felt guilty not having did something even very little about it.

Please read through again and see for yourself how urgent the Bayogan family needs our help. We are all aware of the various IGO and bibaknets projects that have dominated our discussions here in the internet lately. On top of these, we also have other cases like the St. Peter's church in Sabangan that we are glued on. I would like to suggest that we take a time off on these projects that we know can wait and do something to try to save the life of a budding 10 year old girl. Per the letter, the Bayogans need 2-3 million pesos to get Yam to undergo what is medically necessary to save her life. A little help from any of us will mean a lot. I'm sure everyone else who learned about the plight of Yam is also doing their part.

LET'S RAISE FUNDS TO SAVE A YOUNG LIFE FIRST!

Jonathan has also been a bibaknets member for so many years now. Although he seldom posts, he has been a loyal member since he joined the list. I remember him requesting me to change his email address when he was headed to Davao because he still wanted to keep abreast with what's going on with bibaknets.

My wife died a month before she turned 60. I can say that she enjoyed her life fully before she departed. Let's try to help give Yam many more years of life on earth beyond 10. God will do the rest and the best.

Thanks to you all, please read on. If the file is too large, I will forward Jonathan's email by itself.

Harry B, 26 july 06
------

26 Jul 2006 22:13

Dear Sir,

I got the-mails on the plight of Yam and hope to write a story, hoping it would help in your effort to reach out to Samaritans.

I'm not sure if we've met but I presume lawyer Tom Bayogan, my buddy in college until now, is your kin.

It may be a bother during these trying times but I hope you can e-mail me some data, you and your wife's ages, your place in Tadian, where you studied, how you resettled in Mindanao, etc. Perhaps your personnel data file can be faxed to our office number...

Thank you very much and I join you and the rest of our "kailians" in prayer for Yam.

Respectfully,

Ramon Dacawi
-----

27 Jul 2006 04:16

Thank you Atty H. Paltongan, Evelyn Unos Medrano, and Isabel Wolfe for your quick responses. Those sending their aids, please be advised that the name of Jonathan's bank branch is Mati and not Makati. For complete bank info, please refer to Jonathan's email below. (Atty. HarryP, it may not matter but you might want to check with the bank if you sent your remittance to Makati and not Mati). I believe "swist" code is supposed to be swift code in case you're asked..

HarryB

Jul 27, 2006 4:49 am (PST)

HarryB, HarryP, C2, and Lulu, or anyone who had experience in transmitting money to a bank account, I would just like to have some instruction on "how to send money" through the bank. Seriously, I haven't done this before. Do I take it that with the account details provided: name of account (Jonathan Bayogan), bank (Development Bank of the Phil.), branch (Makati), and account number (.....), I can just go to a bank, give money and the said details and that's it?

I'll try to solicit from a few golfers coming to the Kanyaw from BIBAK-Northeast. Erwin, Nick, Brian, Edong, ay mabalin?

Anyway, whatever they can share, I'll send it through the bank. Kusto met laeng ta sorwek ti agipaw-it iti banko. Ngem, ay siadi? Basta mapanak with the said bank details? I still don't understand no kas-ano nga iseksek da ti cheke iti wire (?) nga mapan to another bank. No koma adda laengenen agbiahe nga mapan Pilipinas.

Incidentally, I'm privileged to have some memories about Jonathan when he had a stint in Saint Mary's School, Sagada. I'm not quite sure if he graduated there but he was studying there while I was leaving. And yes, he was such a humble intelligent student in Sagada. I wasn't surprised that he became the president of a state univ.
If you are reading this Jonathan, I also remember you always smiling so humbly. Please remain as steadfast in your faith. You and your family, especially Yam, will be in our prayers.

Sincerely, Jerry (abeya)
-------

27 July

Hello everyone,

It really is so difficult to understand life. Yam was still a baby when the Bayogans left BSU several years back. Last time I saw her was in 2003 when we went to visit them in Mati, Davao. Indeed, one would wonder how something like this could afflict such a young bubbly girl like her.

Both Jonathan and Maruth were well-liked and admired when they were here not only for their dedication to the service but also for their very pleasant relationship with people. I learned a lot of lessons in humility from Jonathan. Everybody knows that he is intelligent but it is so easy for him to acknowledge that there are a lot of things he does not know. Saying "ne, adiak ammo sa a" is so natural for him.

Yama joking about saving her falling hair for his daddy's wig tells us she is a chip off the old block. Maruth's industry and organization in work is something one can really look up to. Yama's nickname comes from Yam (Ube), the subject of her mom's research for quite some time.

They are really a nice family.

Wen, men-oo tako. We are starting a fundraising campaign here too.

Lulu
--------

26 July

Good morning to all,

Thanks Tokayo and we look forward to a successful fund-raising (we call it "men-oo") similar to what you initiated for the late Ms. Laduan, another cancer-patient, who passed away but left her daughter Rosemarie to our care. We all supported Rosemarie through our Bibakents Educational Support Fund ("BESF") 'til she graduated Accounting this year. And they are not even Igorots by blood.

Jonathan and her 10-year old daughter Yam are our very own (particularly, i-Tadian). Yam is a bright young girl garnering modest honors in her school. Her dad Jonathan, driven by sheer igorot virtues and persistency rose to become President of a state college in Davao. Such employment, however, cannot adequately respond to the limitless financial burden this kind of illness brings forth. The 2-3 M is just for an urgent bone marrow transplant. Th family's finances was understandably exhausted by the earlier aggressive yet costly treatments (chemotherapy) .

Most of us are perhaps unaware of how it is to be helplessly watching a dearest one writhing in utter pain while desperately trying to subdue this insuperable disease. It must be a supreme test of a father's resilience being personal witness to how the gnawing chemo drugs burn his kids' gentle skin and eat up her tissues in an attempt to poison out the cancer cells. How would a father answer his little darling's whispered question--'why is this happening to me dad'? And as each strand of hair falls down from her scalp pulling with it her father's tiny beads of hope, as the fragile body loses weight day by day and as the brittle bones gradually become prominent testing to the extreme her dad's otherwise sturdy faith, a father's prayer will normally be to implore God to just please shift the illness to him and let his little baby free.

But Jonathan is not giving up. For like a true igorot, while there is a ray of hope though how flickering it may seem, it is still hope. And this is what he is sharing with us. Now it is his turn, tomorrow might be ours. While we discuss myriad of matters in the warmth of our respective dap-ays, let's lend a hand to this kid out there shivering in the cold. We naturally unite in moments of sorrows when one passes away. The more we should unite to save one from passing away at a time so soon. Of course, the Almighty has his plans and part of it must be for us to stand for each other-esp. for those in need. Part of it must be to save Yam with us as his instruments.

Thanks.

Harry Paltongan and family
Makati, Phil.

PS: My family and I am remitting today our modest contribution to help save Yam.
------


28 Jul 2006 00:30

Hi there. This is Mark in Brent's office. So sorry to learn about the illness of Jonathan's daughter. Jonathan classmate, our prayers are with you. May God in his infinite goodness touch Yam. Pumipigsa kayo kayet. Do you remember me kayman?

In Bontoc ta makisolidarity prayer rally kami with St. Peter's congregation and the diocese in their quest for truth and justice with regards to the demolition of their church.

Maid pay lang email isnan station ko id Abut, Quezon, Isabela. Waay awnit dumateng to.

God bless ket matagotago tako am-in,

Mark D.
------


jon,

It's ok Jon, we haven't met yet. Your message was forwarded to me by a friend from Zamboanga whose 13 year old son, Petpet, was also afflicted with leukemia.

Find comfort in the assurance of God's love.

God bless
Lydia

I recall how it was with Petpet (BLD Zambo) last year, when many people prayed, comforted, and were
made instruments of God's provisions. I'm passing this message to more people (BCC) who may also help Yam (Eunice) especially those form Davao.

Lydia
---

28 Jul 2006 16:10

Thank you, Jon.

David would also know that in the past there were issues about individual donors transmitting directly to bank accounts, especially banks in the Philippines (but it was also true with the case of Australia last year.) Banks would win big time, and for small donations, it doesn't make sense. Also banks would charge so much for conversions of checks and other currencies.

So the solution to this is to "pool" donations in countries or regions, such as in the USA. Harry Basingat in L.A. is willing to receive donations, and when this is pooled he could do the transmittal.

Aside from David's possible organisation/Church with non-profit status,I will check with the centrally located, Episcopal Diocese of Central Philippines, based at Cathedral Heights. They've done this before when we solicited for the landslide victims of Aurora and Quezon Provinces. When this is set-up, I will go for the wider Episcopal Church through my Bishop in New York.

Let's keep connected.

My prayers.

Tony Gomowad
------

28 Jul 2006 17:37

Dear Emma , Jonathan and Yam,

My name is Evelyn Padua from Brisbane,Queensland Australia and has also been a recipient of many generous people in my Australian community. I am a cancer survivor and has been lucky with a very good health system in place that has also helped thru.

I cannot imagine the anguish you have for your child and I emphatize with you both for being strong for Yam and the rest of your family members. Please keep doing the best you can, the best shot you have and God will do the rest.

I would like to donate to help with Yam's medical expenses and send it door to door to your account-this is the mode I send money for the Philippines but it only accepts when converted to pesos. Could you please email me to confirm if your account accepts peso deposits, if not have you got a peso account as an alternative?

Wishing and praying for you to stay strong and Yam to get better.

Warm regards,
Evelyn Padua

19-23 June 2006

19 Jun 2006

thanks for your email some days ago. we are happy to hear of your parents’ 50th anniversary. what a beautiful life!!! Please convey our greetings to them. as for yam, she is recovering and preparing for her second course of chemotherapy scheduled on June 23.

it will be for 8-10 days, a more aggressive one than the first. attached is the list of meds and the local prices, taken from yam's doctor:

please don't feel obligated. we appreciate your concern. have a safe trip
-----

19 Jun 2006

--- tdj wrote: > Hey Junie: BTW, I was able to get chemo drugs at cost from the pharmaceutical companies for my brother in law who was battling colon cancer years ago. Let me know if I can help.

thanks for your email some days ago. we accessed medscape and obtained some enlightening materials. We shared a few to yam's doctor.

yam is now recovering from her 1st round of chemo and preparing for the second course on June 23. it will be for 8-10 days, a more aggressive one than the first. she lost most of her hair, and saved it...for dad's wig, hahaha. yes, we appreciate any help.

frankly, I told my wife (who's from military cut-off, Baguio city) that most of our lives, we were on the giving side. We shouldn't be timid in seeking assistance this time.

here's a list of meds at local prices, taken from yam's doctor: .....
----

21 Jun 2006

thanks for your mail; it's been a long time. yes we are in Davao. we settled in Davao city when emma was accepted in the faculty of univ of phils-mindanao based in the city suburbs.

our youngest daughter, yam, 10, was diagnosed of aml after undergoing a series of tests for more than month in April and early may.

adversity indeed has its multitude of purposes. In the harrowing two months when we quickly transitioned through a state of uncertainty, shock, disbelief, denial and acceptance, the family closed ranks. friends stood by as we stared dumbfounded to know that such a fine, bubbly, bright, sweet and healthy girl could have such a condition. well-meaning friends hang around and eased the pain of knowing the vicious illness plagued our daughter. they hastened our acceptance of her condition.

Janice, our 14 year-old daughter, matured in so short a time, taking on humbling chores she never did before and went through scant sleeps at night to attend to her younger sibling's occasional whims.

we were on our knees as funds dipped low in so short a time and realized our great vulnerability. we realized our inevitable need of others - not just to salve our pained hearts and assist us in the occasional brisk pace of attending to yam's needs but to chip in to the piling hospital bills.

we hopped from doctor to doctor whom we knew could give us sound advice only to fully realize that only God could heal surely and completely. through it all, we are hanging in there quite well. we continue to beseech God for a miracle and be spared from usual effects and side effects of medical treatment. we also set aside our hesitance in seeking friends' help as needed.

we will keep you posted and thanks for your concern. we need your continued prayers. regards

----

23 Jun 2006

brod, thanks so much for your concern.

a house help is at home always. when not in the hospital, yam is at home with the house help. yesterday, yam was admitted to the hospital for her 2nd course of chemotherapy (june23-30). this morning she will have bone marrow aspiration (bma) to extract fresh bone marrow for analysis. the bma results will establish her current bone marrow condition and serves as reference for the after-chemo reading two to three weeks from now.

the 2nd course is a more aggressive one and includes an intrathecal procedure to prevent the leukemic cells from invading the nervous system. after this course there will be a 3-4 week recovery period. during this time, yam will be re-admitted to the hospital for about a week for blood transfusion and care management. the family is okay, we are very hopeful.

yam is in high spirits especially when out of the hospital. we are trying to arrange a home study program for her so that she can do some academic work when physically able.

we will keep you and the brods posted. you and the brods had really been a big source of encouragement.

thank you and regards.

19-27 June 2006

24 Jun 2006

I hope I can still reach you before your flight to the phils.

our daughter yam was re-admitted yesterday for her 2nd course of chemotherapy. it will be an 8-day session on AML protocol for standard risk patients.

medicines for this course are readily available but her doctor mentioned the difficulty of acquiring AMSACRINE which is needed on the 3rd course. she uses a substitute for this, so she suggested that I request it from the US in case I knew someone. 5 vials of 100 mg will be sufficient. we deeply appreciate if you can find this for us.

thank you very much and may god bless you and your family.

----

25 Jun 2006

yam is now on her 3rd day of the 2nd chemo course. she was administered with an intrathecal chemo which made her quite uncomfortable but she now feels much better.

thanks again and regards.

------

27 Jun 2006

it's so kind of you to raise funds for our daughter.

it's now more than 2 months after she was diagnosed of aml. she's back to the hospital for the 5th time now and she's on her 4th day of an 8-day 2nd course of chemotherapy. 3 drugs are administered to her everyday in addition to anti-vomiting, anti-fungal drugs, etc.

just like the previous one, the post chemo period requires antibiotics, blood transfusion and meticulous hospital care to prevent any infection. in-between hospitalization, yam is in high spirits and usually banters with her siblings.

last Sunday, the doctor mentioned yam's encouraging response to the 1st chemo. her latest bone marrow aspirate indicates she now produces enough blood. Her blood count showed almost normal levels of red blood cells and platelets. her white blood cells remained low though and her karyotypic analysis indicated 2 kinds of probably abnormal cells.

with a positive trend, this 2nd chemotherapy could induce remission. we will then confront the decision on whether or not she undergoes bone marrow transplantation (bmt). this hinges on the availability of a matched donor and the funds for the procedure. st Luke’s, national kidney institute and Asian hospital, all in metro manila, are all be capable of this procedure which is said to increase the chances of long-term survival compared to standard treatment methods.

we'd been scouring the net for clues of medical assistance, including bringing her to the US for treatment. we are praying that such will be granted to us by God should this be the right answer. There appears to be a glimmer of hope as dr ribiero of the st Jude’s children's hospital in Memphis is coming to Davao on july 26-28 for a medical outreach. we hope we can get to him and pass the eligibility requirements.

yam's doctor, jeannie ong, has also been very helpful and sympathetic. as we struggled to accept the condition of our child, we were burdened with the attitude of seeking how our child could survive. now, we are living to let our child live life with a deadly disease, and conquer it!! we can say for sure that people like you made us think this way and made us cope much easier.

we also wanted to write the whole group and seek help. but we are very much encouraged how several others got wind of the information and offered help one way or another. adversity, indeed, has its noble purposes and we thank you for helping us appreciate the brighter side of a very difficult situation.

god bless you my friend and all the other kind-hearted people. we will continue to keep in touch and look forward to your coming.

---

RT wrote:

Pareng Junie,

I started a little fund drive and emailed some of our batchmates privately. They are sending me cheques and I will give you the cash, either in US$ or pesos when I get there. I was thinking of just sending off a message to the loop but wanted to get your blessings.

Am praying for Yam to pull through. Hope you and the rest of the family are coping.

------

29 Jun 2006

Dear Brod Junie,

I hope Yam is doing fine with her second round of chemotherapy. I am telling Debbie (my youngest) about Yam's struggle now at a very young, and her courage. Debbie is also ten years old.

Brod, I am also very blessed to have a brod like you. And now that the brods have their own families, we are very lucky to have each other as friends. Moses is now in college - he is trying to finish his AA (I think it is taking him 4 years to complete!) from the junior college here. We are advising him to now transfer to San Jose State Univ but he really wants to receive his AA certificate first. He doesn't feel any pressure to graduate! They're luckier than us during our college days when we were always penniless. Although with our rich experience, we became sharper and thinkers.

By the way, Moses is working his first job in a large computerstore, just for the summer. Tim is 16, he will be in his senior year HS this August. Debbie will be grade 5. OK, brod, could you send me your home address or your office address?

I have your bank account at DBP, courtesy of Marlon, but I think I would rather send via door to door if I send a cash gift to Yam. Send our regards to Emma, and to your other kids. Be courageous, you will be blessed.

Next time, I will try to gather my children for a pic so I can send it along with my e-mail.

Regards,

M

-----Original Message-----

June 19, 2006

dear m, m and kids,

greetings from davao city!it has been quite some time since i last emailed you.

how are all of you doing? M must be in 2nd or 3rd year college now. Which college has he enetered? T and D must be so tall now.. where do they go to school to? we heard m came home last year...

i wrote to thank you for your gift of love to yama. We truly are overwhelmed at the show of love and concern for our little girl. the pain and the burden has become lighter because of many caring folks like you.

the first time we heard about the conclusive findings of acute myelogenous leukemia, we were devastated. We still are but many times God in His mercy has shown He is ahead of us in this trial. He has many ways we can not fathom even sending new acquaintances to us for information, for encouraging chat/messages, for timely blood donations and so on... we try to keep track of all these blessings and truly He will not give a trial that we can not carry.

we are so blessed having you as our friends and we pray that God bless you with your needs and with the desires of your heart because you are a blessing to others. thank you very much from the bottom of our hearts.

btw, yam is eating very well and remains optimistic. she is scheduled to undergo her second round of chemotheraphy for 8 days starting on june 23.she is very encouraged at the fact that so many care and are praying for her complete recovery.

best regards and do take care.

A Year After Diagnosis

"Yeahhhh!!!"

This is Yam's cry, a year after she was diagnosed of leukemia.

Since leaving the hospital on October 19 last year, Yam's recovery had been steady. Last March, her biopsy and engraftment analysis showed her blood system is normal and well. After her routine check up last month, we visited two leukemia patients and she confidently encouraged them by relating her own ordeal, and saying, "Kaya mo yan" (You will overcome).

From February, she started getting back to normal activities with care. She attended her Ate Janice's graduation ceremony, had her first mall tour, ate her favorite curry beef rice in a restaurant ("I owe myself lots of servings of this food, mwahahaha"), visited a mountain resort, and helped host a family at home.

On May 12, she received her report of grades and immediately enrolled for classes in June. She spends time bantering with her sister, watching music video, anime, and reading blogs. We wish she'd have her own blog in due time.

The difficult times she underwent are gone now and we can only thank God, friends, relatives, her physicians, nurses and many others who extended help and prayed for her healing and well-being.