Yam Moves On... We Also Move On, Gratefully

27 April 2008. Today is the 10th day after Yam passed away, the 5th day since we laid her to rest.

Along with the grief and sorrow for her loss, we are grateful for more than one year added to her life.

When Yam was diagnosed of acute myelogenous leukemia in May 2006, she was given not much chance. Her pedia-hema-oncologist's first statement when she disclosed the diagnosis was, "I'm devastated." Pressed on for what she meant, she said this kind of leukemia occurs more in adults than children and required an aggressive treatment. Further tests showed Yam had blood cells with structurally abnormal chromosomes. Chemotherapy was meant to kill the leukemic and abnormal cells. The bone marrow transplantation was meant to boost her chance for long-term survival. We believe it did, although not long enough as we hoped it would.

Nonetheless, more than a year was more than the gift we thought of. In our most difficult times and throughout the trying period, a multitude came to our aid, prayed with us and assisted us in many ways we never ever imagined. You quickly joined us in the battle, provided a pillar of strength and stayed by our side. Old friendships were renewed, lost ones were regained and new ones blossomed. We were never alone.

After the transplant and recovery period in 2006-07, Yam hurdled her exams and completed grade 5 through home study. By June last year, she was back to school and represented her school in a city-wide essay writing contest and in a regional science quiz. To provide balance to her rather restricted life, we brought her twice to two mountain resorts, a departure from the beaches which she loved to visit before her illness. She wrote her own account for a magazine and hoped it gets published this quarter (baka hindi na, dahil sa nangyari). She occasionally visited other leukemia patients and shared part of her medical funds. She graduated in absentia from Grade 6 on March 25, topping her class in Math. She lived life fully and in the best way she could.

Late February this year, she had skin rashes. We thus brought her to Asian Hospital on March 2 for check up. A skin biopsy was done and her fever was treated. After 10 days, we moved her to Makati Med with the same attending physicians so our two Manila-based children can visit more frequently. The fever just wouldn't go. After several tests were completed and the treatment regimen established, she was cleared to transfer to a Davao hospital. Still the fever persisted until she was declared relapsed on April 12. It was a quick downhill journey by then until she expired peacefully at 7:45pm on April 17.

Yam's wake was a soothing experience for the family. Her friends and classmates came, so did her teachers, her school principal and school CEO. Relatives from Luzon arrived, family friends visited, as did our colleagues, Yam's physicians, hospital nurses and attendants. Streams of text messages were received expressing shock at the sad event and conveying sympathies. There came parents and people we didn't know, but who came anyway, saying they were touched by Yam's courageous stand. Not the least were the steadying and endearing emails posted by pillars of supporters like you.

On the warm and bright afternoon of April 22, we laid Yam to rest at Davao City's Forest Lake Cemetery after saying THANK YOU to the Great God (who knew what is best for each of us) and to many friends (who showed us what authentic loving and caring is). As the coffin was slowly lowered, light green-colored balloons were released into the sky while the infectious smile of a lively girl and the courage she displayed while fighting a deadly disease are indelibly etched in the memory bank of countless people who will live on, inspired by her innocent and meaningful life.

Life is indeed short and precious. And we can only say, thank you, thank you, thank you!!!