June 7 and 14, 2006

7 Jun 2006
Subject: update on yam (8 June)

again thank you for your concern and generosity. I believe it proper to update you of yam's condition. She was brought back to san Pedro hospital last Friday, June 2, for platelet and hemoglobin transfusion.

As is common to chemo patients, her hair began to fall. She had been saving her fallen hair in a plastic bag and joked that the hair can be woven for my wig. Of course, her hair will regrow, but I can't say the same for mine.

The platelet transfusion was done through a stand-by donor whose blood was extracted, passed on to a machine so the platelets are separated, then the blood put back to the donor. The process is costly but just one donor reduces risks compared to multiple donors.

I arrived Davao June 7, visited her at about noon and she seems in high spirits. She weaker than normal and lies down most of the time. We hope she gets discharged tomorrow if she has no fever. In 2-3 weeks, she will undergo the second course of chemotherapy. We learned that the chemo period seems "easier", the recovery period when the side effects manifest is difficult.

Today, I went to the blood bank to donate my blood. I was earlier routine-checked but when the nurse obtained a sample for final test, she told me my blood didn't reach the "donor level". Malabnaw daw ang dugo ko.

the family is ok. Emma was so touched with streams of encouraging messages and the kindness of the brods. it seems that adversity has its unique purposes and we are thankful of your support.

attached are 3 of yam's pictures. image2747 was taken may18 and image2267 taken in march, when we weren't even aware she's going have leukemia. thanks brods for everything.
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14 Jun 2006
Subject: About Yam

thanks for your quick reply. I tried to ring your mobile phone but you were out of coverage area. so you are in the Philippines?

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, thanks to friends, whom we certainly need as we provide personal care and medical attention to yam.

we continue to beseech God for a miracle and be spared of the usual effects and side effects of medical treatment. we also set aside our hesitance in seeking friends' help as needed. that's why we appreciate your initiative. we will keep you posted and thank you very much for everything.