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.