Mama Fund
(Latest 18 entries) (Calendar) (Friends) (Mama Fund - Help Save My Mama From Nasopharyngeal Cancer) (User info)
Saturday, May 27, 2006
hi!!! *sabay wave everywhere* it's been awhile since i was here... but rejoice!!! the bitch is back!!! kwentuhan ulit tayo!!!
--------------------------------------------------------------
para sa mga friends ko in my past work and at present...
kamusta na kayo? isang taon din akong nawala... feeling ko one year akong nakatulog dahil sa kabangagan ko sa chemo at radiotherapy and this year lang ako nagising... hehehe... i went through 39 sessions of radiotherapy and 6 cycles of chemotherapy... and now the bitch is back!!! hahaha!
well seriously, right now i am trying to get back to normal life... still writing my life story and on the side i am setting up a small business (desktop bureau and internet shop) for ricky... he registered the business name the last time he was here... march - graduation kasi ng bunso namin... so ngayon tinutuloy ko ang setting-up hoping na someday mapantayan ng kita ng negosyo ang dolyares na kinikita niya sa jeddah kahit piso-piso lang ang kikitain dito. Timeless Memories ang name ng store under the company Abound Graphic and Communication Services... si Ricky ang owner... ako ang general manager... until he comes home... siya na lahat at balik writer ang lola nyo. hehehe.
anyway, how have you been guys? ako alive and kicking pa rin... thank god nasurvive ko ang napakahirap na therapy... lately nagtatawagan ang mga old friends ko from college... kakagulat... nakita daw nila ang website na ginawa ng anak ko last year when i was diagnosed with cancer... funny di ba? antagal na ngayon lang sila nagsusulputan... yesterday morning bestfriend ko from high school up to college called me up from san francisco, usa... after lunch naman, around 2pm, a good friend from college called me on my cell... at nung gabi another good friend from college texted me... kanina naman classmate ko sa college din in MIT texted and when i replied he called. I dunno if this is just a coincidence or life is trying to tell me something... when i find out i will share it with you guys...
anyway, i wrote something this morning for my long-lost friends... something intimate... something i haven't talked about... ilalagay ko rin ito sa script na ginagawa ko ngayon... just wanted to share it with you guys as well because kasama kayo sa listahan ng mga friends ko... friends na di na malilimutan kahit kailanman... salamat sa friendship... salamat din sa prayers... salamat sa lahat ng tumulong...
mahigit isang taon pa lang ang lumilipas pero ang laki na ng pinagbago ng buhay ko... pati hitsura ko nabago... buong pagkatao ko hinalukay ng pagkakasakit ko... a lot of people are amazed how i survived that experience... ang sikreto lang siguro ang matinding faith ko kay God... dahil sa mga oras na di ko na kinakaya siya lang ang tinatawag ko... and when i pray pag di ko na kinakaya ang hirap bigla akong nakakatulog... and i know he made me sleep... para di masyadong mahirap for me...
well, matagal ko nang di na-update ang e-journal ko sa site na ginawa ng daughter ko last year... may ang last entry ko doon... that was the time that i started my therapy... ayoko kasing magkuwento ng malungkot at mahirap... gusto ko masasaya lang... so di ko na muna in-update until now na nadiscover ko na lahat ng pumupunta doon wanted to read more... so i decided to email my closest friends from this day on... daily thoughts ko lang after i survived cancer... parang daily bread pero personal... ika-copy and paste ko na lang dito para mabasa nyo rin... na-send ko na ito kay feddie at chie... may konting revisions lang akong inilagay... hope this inspires you all...
btw, you are free to share your thoughts and comments on what i wrote... if you want to tell me anything in private you can email me at aileenviray@gmail.com... have a nice day and god bless you all...
just like to share this with you. it's my personal series of e-journals that i send to my friends... first pa lang ito... like a "daily random thoughts" of your kinda crazy friend. hahaha. hope you don't mind that i am sharing this with you. if you do mind just email me so i can take you out of my list.
eto ang email ko to my long-lost friends...
hey friends...
grabe... yesterday i was able to talk to 3 college friends... friends i haven't heard of since more than 20 years now. i promised you guys an email and since pareho din naman ang sasabihin ko kinopya ko na lang itong email ko for my high school and college best friend cho tejero-campos. na-realize ko kasi na mahirap mag-email sa sangkatutak na tao in one sitting - iisa lang naman ang thoughts ko... so i wrote something intimate and i would like to share them with you, my friends, who i have missed for so long.
welcome back into my world. sana di na kayo mawala sa buhay ko ulit. sana marami pa akong ma-contact na mga long lost friends kahit from high school. here goes...
para kay cho... my long lost bestfriend...
it's 9.54am here right now. kakatapos ko lang mag-pray. i was supposed to email you last night. nakatulog lang ako sa sobrang pagod. Nagkawindang-windang kasi ang sched ko yesterday. i forgot that i was supposed to go to my tita alice, sis ng father ko, for a meditation session... every friday kasi yon. as i said, i am going back to my roots, did you know that the family of my tatay are mediums? di ko yata nai-kwento, e. well kasi my father converted to catholism but i cannot deny the fact that i inherited the psychic part of him. kaya nga nagtayo ako before ng restaurant na may tarot readers. i remember kasi when i was a child my father used to bring me to my lola's house - my lola was blind - and she used to give us kids these tablet-like chocolate called "malteds" everytime we go visit her. para akong si dopey sa snow white and the seven dwarfs... una sa pila tapos pipila ulit sa huli para makadoble ng parte ng chocolate... hahaha. but i knew that even if my lola was blind she knew what i was doing kasi pag second time ko na sa pila and she will hand me that malteds chox she will give me that "monalisa-like smile" as if saying "i know". somehow kahit bata pa ko i knew that i will be threading the same path that my lola and tita alice did... kaya siguro na-expose ako sa new age and wholistic healing... that was also the inspiration nung cafe na tinayo ko noon na may mga tarot reading...
my lola was the head of these mediums... they have regular weekly seances dito sa house nila sa roxas, malapit lang dito sa house namin... ako lang ang madalas dalhin ng tatay ko doon... fascinated kasi ako with them and as far as i remember i see them use these beautiful cards called tarot (taro ang pronunciation)... they also have this bullet-like thing hanging on a string called a pendulum which you hold on your hand ang swings around clockwise. you ask questions and if the answer is yes it will swing to and fro - away from you and back... if the answer is no it swings left and right... fascinating... that was the word in my head when i was a child...
my creative director in advertising, tonton santos, who was also into these new age stuff used to call me the reluctant mystic... may hinahanap kasi ako na hindi ko naman alam kung ano... kasi nga tinatalikuran ko ang roots ko... i didn't want to be a psychic... kasi nung maliit ako i can foresee the future pero wala naman akong magawa... iiyak lang ako and i will be afraid na mangyari ito... at pag nangyari iiyak ulit ako... tapos ramdam ko rin ang nararamdaman ng mga tao sa paligid ko... empathy daw ang tawag doon... but then again wala naman akong magawa... unang-una kasi bata lang ako... another thing is because i didn't know what to do with those kinds of information... mukha naman akong tanga kung ipagsasabi ko... so i always prayed to God to take it away from me... but He never did... i didn't understand why... until now... besides, ako lang ang ganoon sa family... except my lola, tita nel and tita alice... so i enjoy going to these seances... feeling ko that is where i belong...
remember in high school, kahit nung college i don't talk about my family? kasi odd man out ako sa mga kapatid ko... favorite daw kasi ako ni tatay so OP ang beauty ko... para ngang soap opera ang childhood ko... kaya siguro ako nagsusulat ng soap... hahahaha... anyway, my lola was a singer when she was younger - before she got blind... my lolo was a writer - he wrote sarsuelas and made films for sampaguita pictures - although i never met him... he was dead before i was born... may malaki lang siyang picture dun sa house ng lola ko that fascinates me... feeling ko close kami... hahahaha... my tita alice used to tell me that my lolo made them extras in his films... hahaha... and believe it or not may lahi daw kami ng mga bayani... may lolo daw silang bayani... si gregorio del pilar yata... di ko na maremember... hehehe... kaya nga sabi ni ricky dun ko raw siguro nakuha ang tapang ko... sa dugong bayani namin... hahaha...
haaay naku... ngayon lang talaga ako nagkukuwento... kaya nga sinusulat ko ang script ng buhay ko... purging out the past and letting go of repressed heartaches ang drama ng lola mo ngayon... anyway, siguro kaya ganito mood ko kasi magsusulat na naman ako today... that is pagkatapos ko ma-compute ang expenses ko yesterday sa pagtatayo ng negosyo... I need to catch up on a lot of work... ang tagal kasi ng meditation session kahapon but then again it was good coz it made me feel calm and serene...
ang message kahapon sa akin ng spirits is to be a witness to God's goodness and grace but in doing so i have to live a life that is embraced by God's will... thy will be done nga, d ba? be a good example... so right now i live each moment as they come... no plans... no agenda whatsoever... i just listen with my heart to the nudges of life and the voices of the spirits... that is why i pray each time i wake up... kailangan ko ng guidance... kung di ko gagawin yon ewan ko kung saan ako dadamputin... dahil sa totoo lang after i survived death di ko na alam paano mabuhay ng second life...
kaya kayo take care of your health... also take care of your spirit... dahil hindi lang tayo tao na nabubuhay sa laman... meron din tayong spirit that we have to nourish... stay in God's embrace... that is how human beings are supposed to "be"... not just body but spirit as well. have a good day my friend.
always your friend...
aileen sempio-viray
Current mood:  bouncy ::: 1 kind thought Post a message. :::
Saturday, December 31, 2005
Mama's finished with all her treatments! WOOOOHOOO! Talk about strong will and inner strength! I'm so proud of my mom! She managed to get through 39 sessions of radiation therapy.. and 6 sessions of chemotherapy.. countless medicines.. roughly 7 months of not being able to eat.. no teeth.. constant visit to the hospital... ahhh all that. She's officially graduated! Weeeee~!
We wanna thank everyone who helped Mama and our family.. you all know who you are! Without you all, we wouldn't have made it halfway this dilemma. *^_^*
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!! *^_^*
::: Post a message. :::
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Tuesday, August 2, 2005
Mama's 3rd chemotherapy ended today, and Mama got home this afternoon. She looks ill.. and she's been vomiting often, but she still managed to bring me home some huge syringes.. *gglz* She knows I love having medical stuff.
Mama's become thinner.. I am worried.. but I know she's a strong woman. Her bank account's been wiped out for the chemotherapy fees and misc. expenses last weekend, so she had to get some from my account. OoooOoo I hope God will provide soon. I know He will.
Many thanks again, to the people who constantly pray and support my Mama. I just hope that you occasionally send her SMS messages 'coz that's what makes her happy right now.. she loves it when she gets messages from friends.. it's her way of getting in contact to the outside world, as she can't physically do so. So any messages are welcome.. her number is this: +639063040980
We've been missing Papa so very much.. esp. Mama, of course. But he has to work, else we on't have anything left for Mama's treatment and daily expenses. But as many of my friends say.. God will provide. He's done so dozens of times and I believe He will continue to do so. I am really grateful.
God bless to everyone, please continue praying for Mama, as her chemotherapy is getting rather more difficult. A sthe chemotherapy progresses, a higher dose of chemicals are given to her.. so let's all pray for her strength of mind, body and soul.
::: Post a message. :::
Sunday, July 24, 2005
Mama lost her cellphone. :( It was left unconsciously in the taxi cab on their way home from the radiotherapy last Thursday.. all her numbers (important ones too) are in there.
So she changed her number.. +639063040980
She's not been eating well lately. It's not that we're not feeding her well, or she doesn't want to eat.. she does.. but her taste buds are not working since she started radiotherapy (yeah, that's what it does..)
Anyone have any suggestions for her food.. kindly e-mail them to mama.fund@gmail.com ,,thanks so much! ^^;
And please continue spreading the word and praying for Mama.. she's sometimes losing hope.. or getting tired of the therapy.. so if anyone has any kind words to share to her.. please do! ^^;
::: Post a message. :::
Sunday, July 17, 2005
I'm worried about Mama.
She can't eat. She often vomits. Her head often hurts. She finds it bothersome to eat.
Today is her 2nd session of Chemotherapy @ PGH. WHen she gets home, she'll definitely be very weak. PLease continue praying for her.
Good thing Mama has a new helper now. The previous (and first) that we hired STOLE FROM US. See this post for details. I think the new helper is better.. and she's very diligent. ^^;
God bless everyone. I can't update much since not much is happening here.. and we have school too. Mama is pretty much the same everyday, but she would be really delighted if her friends and acquaintances sent her an SMS or two.. ^^; +639176035050
That's all for now. Ja ne!
::: Post a message. :::
Tuesday, July 5, 2005
Papa is leaving tomorrow back to his work abroad.
Imagine how that would affect Mama. I know they fight on little stuff sometimes.. but Papa is like Mama's strength. She doesn't say much but I just feel and *know* it. I don't want Papa to leave. It would devastate Mama and I am trying my best to protect Mama from too much heartbreak.
But Papa has to. Else we won't have a source of income.
I just wish I can think of an E-business soon so they won't have to leave. I've been thinking about it for months now. Still to no avail. *sighs*
Mama's feeling sickly since she had the chemotherapy. The radiation is not much for her.. but the chemotherapy is really making her feel really ill. If we could all make a card or something for Mama.. I think that would cheer her up. ^^;
I'm still really sad about Papa leaving so soon. *sighs* If only I can give them the financial security that they need.. then they wouldn't have to work.. and just concentrate on being with each other and taking care of one another. *tear*
That's about it for now.. I'll try to upload the pictures soon. Stay tuned. ^^; Oh and please continue praying and donating for Mama's health. :)
::: Post a message. :::
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Mama got a haircut today. It's really short.. O_O ..but it's refreshing to see her new image. New hair, new life, I guess.
I wasn't able to update everyone about Mama starting Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy last 25th of June 2005 (academic year starting and all). She said it made her feel weak, but for someone who actually had chemotherapy and radiotherapy.. she looks really strong. I'm so proud of my Mama. *^___^*
Finances are tight. >_< The donations (thank youuu) really helped but we're still in a very tight budget. I'm so scared to think about Papa's departure back to work. I dunno how I can handle school and home stuff all at the same time. And to think I' taking a very difficult field of study --- BS Chemistry. I'm praying everyday (and wishing everyday on the railroad to school) that I can do this. Hopefully, Mama is ready for our tough ride.
That's all for now. Papa is leaving soon (not sure when yet.. he moved his June 29 flight).. I'm not quite ready to know when. He really does things almost flawlessly. I'm so proud of my Papa. *^___^*
Please don't stop telling your friends about the site and Mama's situation. If I don't reply back or something (e-mail).. I'm sorry about that. It's just that the academic year has started and I'm packed with school stuff. T_T But you can always reach me thru my mobile phone: +639162185994
::: Post a message. :::
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
WOOOOOO! Who watched "At Home Ka Dito" last Sunday???? After that episode, the site stats went up! That's great news! Thanks everyone! Oh and if you missed it, one of the people in TDLand captured it, and it can be downloaded HERE. Thanks Dimples, credits and kudos to you! Apart from that, there have been new groups spreading the word.. so that's a real blessing. You all know who you are. :)
The biopsy results got back to us yesterday. It's a definite "undifferentiated carcinoma". We were hoping for a "lymphoma" though, which is less dangerous (still harmful, but less.) *sighs* The doctors are still verifying it so that's about 4-5 days more. I've heard that by June 2.. Mama's going to start her Chemotherapy. I'm getting really scared day-by-day.. Mama's chemo is scary.. and Papa's about to go back to work abroad (on the 29th) 'coz we don't have money anymore. :( Although there are people really helping (THANK YOU SO MUCH).. the expenses for Mama's treatment is not getting any lower. I'm really scared 'coz when Papa goes.. most of the responsibilities will be given to me. I still have a year in college, and it's not an easy course -- BS Chemistry. So I am really scared. *sighs* I'm willing to try though.
Another thing's that's scary is that Mama can't use the taxi everyday she goes back and forth PGH (for the chemo) and Cardinal (for the radiotherapy).. she'd be a walking target for diseases. So we're trying to canvass for a second hand car that we can afford -_-.. it's really hard to find one that's cheap right now. Really really hard. If anyone of you know a really cheap one that isn't broken or something.. O_O.. please do e-mail me about it. Thanks! *^_^*
Mama's head is hurting every now and then. She's got these pain relievers but.. they're all temporary. Oh please please please continue praying for Mama. If you can send her SMS that can uplift her spirit and motivate her.. please do send one. :) Here's her number: +639176035050 .
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the following: At Home Ka Dito staff and crew, Charlene Gonzales, Kitchie Nadal, ABS-CBN friends, Star Cinema friends, TDLand, XVR and friends, government officials who donated, individuals (known or anonymous) who donated, pretty much everyone who donated, prayer groups, etc. If I forgot a certain group or individual, please let me know. The Viray family thanks you all from the bottom of our hearts. And more thank you links: XVR site, b84dci, brgy. frances.
BTW, Dimples of TDLand made a special video for us. It was really sweet. Please check it out. Oh and here are some pictures from Mama's XVR friends: THIS and THIS.
PS: Lemme know if you want your site/page to be included here, especially if it's related to Mama Fund. Thank you. :)
::: 2 kind thoughts Post a message. :::
Friday, June 17, 2005
Mama was sent home yesterday for a one week rest... after that, she'll be undergoing her very first chemotherapy. It's the scariest part 'coz her immune system will be down 3x.. so please continue praying for my Mama.
Oh and please watch "At Home Ka Dito" this coming Sunday, 19 June.. on ABS-CBN at 10:00 a.m. (local airing.. see TFC -- The Filipino Channel for foreign airing time) because Mamafund.cjb.net will be featured on the episode with Kitchie Nadal as a guest! WOOOHOOO! Please tell everyone you know about it. I'll be on TV promoting the site.. and asking help for Mama so be sure to see it! *^_^*
That's pretty much all the update I can write for now. We're still waiting for the THIRD biopsy's results.. so stay tuned for that. Thanks for reading all these. :) Oh and if you wanna visit Mama, you can visit us at home.. if you like. :)
God bless you all! *^___^*
ADVISORY: The bank account number for BPI for Mama's donations was updated. The ATM card had two account numbers on it so I'm not really sure what to use when depositing.. some use the one posted before, other use the one at the back of the card. So I included both numbers, just in case.. please see the "Mama Fund" section of the website.. thank you. :)
::: Post a message. :::
Friday, June 10, 2005
Ohhh WOW! I had the BEST DAY today! =D The whole day I was with Kitchie Nadal and Charlene Gonzales. It was so surreal, I still can't believe it already happened. Ahhh, I feel so elated. =D
My call time was 10:30 am at Red Box, Greenbelt 3. I ran a little late coz I chickened out on taking the MRT alone. *paranoia mode* So I took a taxi all the way there. When I arrived, I was sent to a separate room with the stylist to get my hair & make up done. After that, the shoot started.. I can't tell you what happened 'coz it hasn't been shown on TV yet, heh. But what I can tell you is that they gave me pretty neat stuff and a really pleasant surprise! =D
The next location was PGH to visit Mama. Everyone's staring, looking and pointing towards Charlene and Kitchie. There were a few autograph signing along the way.. Hehe.. Then.. Hah! Can't tell yah! You have to watch the show to find that.
After that -- we went to Kitchie's house to see how her room is doing. I wasn't able to see though, that's one of the stuff I'm looking forward to the show.
Then, the prod. stuff and I ate at KFC. After that, we went to another place.. And another.. Too much spoilers if I tell everything. =P Ooooh AHKD raised a significant amount, and it's really very touching. *tear*
All I can say is that.. It's the best day ever! With the best presents for Mama and me too. Wow, it's just an amazing experience.
So be sure to watch "At Home Ka Dito" on ABS-CBN during Sundays at 10:00 a.m. this June. It's the episode with Kitchie Nadal as the guest. I love their concept --- Bahay at Buhay.. Fixing celebrity homes and common people's lives.
I wanna thank AHKD staff, Charlene Gonzales, Kitchie Nadal, Kitchie's band, Joross Gamboa, Roxanne Guinoo, Ian Buenaventura, the sponsors (of the stuff we got), Mr. Manny Villar, PCSO, Search for a Star in a Million season1 tops, my friends, my whole family & relatives, all the people who donated, and God, of course. I feel that I forgot someone, but you know who you are. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Again, please pray for Mama the best you can and tell everyone you know about the site: www.mamafund.cjb.net
PS: I got home at 1:18 am, took a bath, and wrote this. =D Kitchie & Charlene are the best people ever. They're angels in my eyes.
*cross-posted at ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) silver_anj*
Current mood:  chipper Current music: Same Ground - Kitchie Nadal ::: 1 kind thought Post a message. :::
Tuesday, June 7, 2005
Mama is scheduled for another biopsy.. gawd this is the third one. Both 2 previous biopsies were negative of cancer cells.. now I am praying that this third biopsy would (by some miracle) also be negative.. because the tissue sample will come from the mass itself. So if it's negative of cancer.. that means Mama's cancer is gone.
But as we call it, "suntok sa buwan".
When Mama undergoes chemotherapy, she'll be going to PGH every 3 weeks and also EVERYDAY (except weekends and holidays) for her linear accelerator radiation therapy. Imagine that.. your immune system going down 3x and then you travel from place to place everyday. >_O Mama's gonna be a walking target for other diseases. That's why we're thinking of getting a second-hand car.. one that we can sanitize especially for Mama. But our expenses are already sky-rocketing.. we can't afford that.
If only I won a million from a game show like "Game KNB?".. or featured in a "wish" show like "At Home Ka Dito".. or won a prize from a singing competition like "Search for a Star in A Million".. but that's out of the question 'coz I already auditioned for it and they didn't like me. =( 2 lines and I'm out, >_O Am I that bad?
Maybe I'll enter the lottery everyday.. or join all text games.. *gglz* Ah anyway.
Mama had an anxiety attack last Sunday. I wasn't there when it happened but my grandma was.. and my uncle and Papa. They said she was crying like she never cried before.. that her veins are getting really cold and frozen all over her body. I am kinda thankful that I wasn't there to witness it or I might have lost it.
She's okay now, but her body's just full of meds.. if only I can take some of her meds for her.
There's nothing much for this entry. Just about the biopsy and the attack. But every day that passes by.. our savings are drastically depleting. So I am appealing to your kind human hearts.. to please if you have money to spare.. or if you want to lift Mama's spirits and visit.. you can all do that!
Just go to the WAYS TO DONATE page and if you wanna visit, you can go to the CONTACT INFO page for the address of the hospital.
If you wanna contact me.. ANYTIME.. just send an SMS to: +639162185994
Anj
::: Post a message. :::
Monday, May 30, 2005
I've not been able to update for a while 'coz I've been going to and fro the hospital everyday. I pretty much handle the responsiblities that Mama was doing before. So it's like a huge thing for me right now. I'm part excited and part stressed about it all, but I understand that now is my turn to take care of Mama.
Mama had her teeth removed. ALL of her teeth. She's scheduled for a second visit to the dentist for the lower set of her teeth. The upper set have all been removed (cut and sewed) so now she looks different and can't talk much. It hurts once in a while, or it bleeds. Sometimes I catch myself staring at her.. feeling her pain. I know it hurts her, she just doesn't let us know.
Today she's going to have another biopsy. Oh BTW, the first biopsy results came out like.. 3 days ago. They didn't find any cancer cells in it.. just some inflammation. So now they have to take another tissue sample from her, but this time they will take a sample from her sphenoid sinus.. which is even deeper and nearer the brain. That means --- it's riskier than the first biopsy. So please pray for Mama that nothing faulty will happen. And that the doctors would get a very good yield of tissue sample so that the biopsy won't be repeated ever again.
The second dental visit was supposed to be today. But the biopsy was scheduled first so now she has to wait again. Why the dental works? Coz when she undergoes radiation therapy (which is like a few weeks from now), her teeth would all fall off.. and it won't heal 'coz by that time too, she'll be having her chemotherapy which would weaken Mama's immune system 3x.
Confusing? Here's the summary:
1. Biopsy - to determine what kind of cancer cells they are, what stage the cancer is at, and what meds are needed to kill them.
2. Dental - remove all her teeth first before everything else, so that it would ave time to heal (2 weeks) before chemotherapy starts.
3. Chemotherapy + Linear Accelerator (Radiation) - This is the most crucial moment of Mama's cancer experience. Chemotherapy involves giving her meds to weaken the protective thingie of the brain (which is 3x higher than the body's protective shield) so that the meds can get access to the cancer cells to weaken them. Then, radiation comes --- these kind of cancer cells are supposed to be sensitive to radiation. So when the cobalt from the Linear Accelerator (LinAc) reaches the cancer cells.. they should die. DIE cancer cells! *^_^*
4. Observation and Recovery Period - She's gonna need 6 sessions of chemotherapy and 39 shots of LinAc. >_< This is the time when the doctors will determine if the meds from the chemo worked for Mama's cancer cells. If not, then another session will be scheduled.. O_O Oh and recovery time for Mama too. Imagine your immune system DOWN 3 TIMES it normally would if you fell ill.
5. Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy + MRI after each session - if all goes well.. the sessions should flow smoothly.
6. 5 year observation period - if the cancer cells are killed and all that stuff... there will be a 5 year observation period. The cancer is likely to recur in 5 years time. If after 5 years it doesn't come back.. WOOHOO! Mama's officially healed.
But for now, we're back at no.1. Since the first biopsy wasn't any good. *sighs* Imagine all the hospital expenses, meds to make Mama stable, miscellaneous, etc.. our finances are actually depleting drastically. That's why I'm still asking for financial help.
We're taking care of the local funding applications from the orgs here in the Philippines like PCSO, PhilHealth, etc. But they can only provide a small part in the treatment expenses. So all donations would definitely help.
I've received word that most people think this is a hoax or a scam or something like that. If you think that way, I cannot do anything about it, can I? But I ask that you give me a chance. If I can do something for you in exchange for a donation, I'd consider it.. really. So please come in contact with me if you know in your heart that you can help out.
That's all for now. Let's hope for the best.
OH BTW! I have copies of a clinical abstract, doctor's recommendation, and expenses summary for those who can help out with funding. If you want a copy, I can give you one. Just e-mail me and I'll be glad to arrange a meet. :)
::: 1 kind thought Post a message. :::
Saturday, May 21, 2005
For this update, I want to explain a little clearer what Mama's situation is right now.
I spent the whole day today at the hospital with Mama. Some of her
former former former officemates came to visit, and they all discussed
Mama's current situation. Of course, I listened attentively, 'coz I
truly wanna help out.. and listening would give me an idea what Mama
needs and what we can afford.
She had her very first surgery (biopsy) last Wednesday, 18 May 2005.
Results will be released probably on Monday, 21 May 2005. I overheard
Mama saying to her friends that she would need chemotherapy and
radiation to remove the cancerous tumor. The chemoteraphy is certain, but she has two choices for the radiation: Gamma Knife Surgery or Linear Accelerator.
The following are the definitions of the two forms of radiation therapy:
Linear Accelerator from www.cancer.org
- A machine that creates high-energy radiation to treat cancers, using
electricity to form a stream of fast-moving subatomic particles. Also
called megavoltage (MeV) linear accelerator or a linac. Megavoltage
radiation therapy can penetrate deeply into the body. It is useful for
treating some cancers of internal organs while minimizing radiation
damage to the skin.
Gamma Knife from www.irsa.org
- Offers a non-invasive alternative for many patients for whom
traditional brain surgery is not an option and removes the physical
trauma and the majority of risks associated with conventional surgery.
This effective single session treatment may require an overnight
hospital stay but is often done in an outpatient surgical setting with
periodic follow-up. It is proven safe over the long term and is
recognized and covered by insurance plans. The Gamma Knife allows
noninvasive cerebral surgery to be performed in one session the same as
neurosurgery with extreme precision, sparing tissues adjacent to the
target. Based on preoperative radiological examinations, such as
CT-scans, MR-scans, or angiography, the unit provides for highly
accurate irradiation of deep-seated targets, using a multitude of
collimated beams of ionizing radiation in scalpel like precision.
While both definitions sound good, the disadvantage of "Linear Accelerator" (as I was told) is that everything on the path of the beam will be burned. When this method is used for Mama's case, her left eye will be affected 'coz the nerve connecting to her left eye is blocking the tumor. Aside from that, other nerves may be touched and may be destroyed. Mama's cancerous tumor is at the nasopharynx and extending at the base of the brain which they call "No Man's Land" because no doctor would want to manually operate there,
since it's like the house of most of the nerves. Fortunately, the
extension of the tumor is not touching the brain just yet. But when it
does (which is very soon since the cancer cells of Mama are VICIOUS ONES and has a high growth rate), it would be so much harder to remove.
Gamma Knife Surgery is the way to go. It's super accurate as the definition says. So why am I comparing both methods? Because they vary IMMENSELY in the cost.
I forgot how much the Linear Accelerator costs per session, but I remember Mama needs like 20-25 sessions for it. With every session, tissues and nerves will be destroyed on its path. Imagine what Mama would be like after those sessions.
Gamma Knife surgery is way way better and would probably just be 2 shots for Mama's case. If the cancer cells persist, she might need another 2 shots I thought to myself, "Why not just use the Gamma Knife on Mama?" Guess what, it costs P300,000 each shot (that's roughly US$5600).
I was like, "GAH. -_-"
And after every shot, she would need an MRI
so they can see if the cancer cells were killed. If not, the whole
process will be done all over again. That's double the original cost,
and if on the third try some persist, that's another of the original
cost.
My Papa cannot possibly shoulder all that. He
paid around P50,000+ (roughly US$1000) to the last hospital we've been
(Delos Santos Hospital) and at that time, Mama's case is still in the
investigatory period. What more with chemotherapy and radiation therapy?
If you can see my Papa, he's really tense and stressed out, and probably mentally tired too. I've been asking everyone I know for donations, even if I lose all my pride. Mama needs to live some more. She said it herself, "I still wanna live." And I wanna help her and my Papa.
Papa filed an extension of his vacation for one month to his boss
abroad. He was given the month off, but that also means no month's
salary. *sighs* I actually don't know how I can convince people to help me raise funds for my Mama's fight with her very unusual type of cancer. I really don't.
But here I am, again, *begging* for help. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE... I am not asking for a particular cost, just whatever you can give.. that's perfectly fine. All kinds of help would be greatly appreciated. Every help counts. Mama
needs prayers too, but for now, donations are better because I believe
that the Gamma Knife Surgery thing could really cure her and remove her
vicious vicious cancer.
OH I KNOW! If you need someone to sing
for an event, or a birthday, or whatever.. that I can do. I can sing
for you if you like, in exchange for a donation. I'd do almost everything I can for this. This is something that I know in my heart I would want to succeed in. My Mama is very very important for me, and I want her to live. She's done everything for me, now it's my turn.
I'm trying to find ways of earning money too, so it can add to the donations and what's left of Papa's money. If
you are into chinovelas (Chinese series), I can sell you Meteor Garden
1, Meteor Garden 2, Lavender, Fullhouse, and Zhan Shen Mars. Email me to get my mobile phone #, so you can text me for details.
What else? If you know competitions
involving singing, graphic designing, website making.. or anything
miscellaneous that I can do.. please email me about it. It should have a prize money so I can add that to the donations money. I'll try to win those contests. *^_^*
Oh and if you wanna donate just because, just click here.
::: 3 kind thoughts Post a message. :::
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
It's official --- Mama has NASOPHARYNGEAL
CANCER probably on stage 3 - 4.
It's not a tumor anymore.. it's cancerous/malignant.
NOTE: I've decided to move everything to Livejournal since I write in a blog type of way, anyway. Besides, it's much easier to update this way, doncha think?
This morning, my bro and I (and a few
relatives) went to the hospital to see Mama before she went to the operating
room for the biopsy. We did see her, smiling and laughing while the doctor
pulled her stretcher. At that moment, I felt really scared. The doctors
are going to take tissue samples (hopefully with the cancer cells) from 3 places
in her head. 2 from both sides of the neck, and one near the nose. I suddenly
realized what's going to happen in that operating room --- they're going to open
her up. The head is probably the most sensitive part of the body since it
houses the CPU of humans --- the brain. I felt really scared, for the first
time since she was admitted in the hospital.
After we got back to the ward to wait,
Papa said the doctors confirmed that her illness is malignant. It's probably
in stage 3 or 4, but I suspect 4 because they already extended to the base of
the brain and both the left and right side of the neck part. I've already read
about "nasopharyngeal cancer" from decent sites all over the internet and it's
not looking good. Her illness is a silent killer --- it won't show itself
'til it's in stage 3 or 4 (with 4 being the highest most advanced stage).
I've never felt so scared before. Now I'm
starting to hate hospitals. I don't even think about my upcoming birthday, or
the next academic year, or the TV shows I might be missing while staying
there... all I can think about was how Mama's doing, what could she be thinking,
is she sad... lonely... miserable?
People might ask, why I'm doing this Mama
Fund Project. It was originally because I wanted to help out Papa with the
expenses after realizing that Mama's gonna be staying for quite a long time.
Before Mama was hospitalized, we were really in a very tight budget... what more
now that Mama needs everything we can offer. I don't want money to be an
obstacle in making Mama better.
Now that it's starting to dawn to me that
Mama has a truly bad-tempered disease... and that the expenses are getting
higher and higher... and her chances are getting slimmer (though I still believe
there's still hope)... I couldn't help but feel sad, but at the same time, I
want the Mama Fund Project to be successful. I feel like this project can be an
inspiration to people who have lost hopes and the will to live life. I also
realized that this project brings people closer together, no matter what race,
country, religion, age, or culture... it's like one big happy family helping
each other out. I couldn't express how AMAZING this feels. It's incredible, and
I want other people to know that.
Last few updates, I've been desperately
asking help for funds and donations... now I wanna ask one more thing. I know
I've asked this before but I want everyone who reads this to PLEASE PRAY HARDER
for Mama's struggle against NPC... let's all wish together for her to overcome
this great obstacle in her life. I know I couldn't do it alone. I want a
miracle. I believe with all the people willing to help... it is possible to have
a miracle. Please, give us a miracle. Make her illness go away painlessly.
I've decided to change the novena since we
found out that Mama's case is malignant. =( The wish would be shorter but more
specific. If you want to recite the novena with me,
you can. It would be really helpful. With so many people praying, I think God
can't resist to answer back. ;) Even if you're not that religious, please try
this out. My Grandma says it's very very very effective. She recited it for my
Papa when he was seeing the doctors, and they didn't find anything wrong with
him. So that led me to believe that this one works.
It's really easy. Just say it at the same
time for nine consecutive hours, or for nine days. I suggest nine hours coz it's
easier to remember (you can set your alarm every hour) and it's much needed that
we get to praying early. Please say these words from your heart. Here goes:
|
NOVENA IN URGENT NEED TO THE INFANT JESUS
OF PRAGUE
O JESUS, who hast said, "Ask and you shall
receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you,"
through the intercession of Mary, Thy most holy Mother, I knock, I seek,
I ask that my prayer be granted.
I ask that Aileen Viray, mother of our
friend Anj, be granted a miracle and make her nasopharyngeal cancer go
away painlessly and a.s.a.p. Please grant this wish.
O JESUS, who hast said, "All that you ask
of the Father in My Name He will grant you," through the intercession of
Mary, Thy most holy Mother, I humbly and urgently ask Thy Father in Thy
Name that my prayer be granted.
I ask that Aileen Viray, mother of our
friend Anj, be granted a miracle and make her nasopharyngeal cancer go
away painlessly and a.s.a.p. Please grant this wish.
O JESUS, who hast said, "Heaven and earth
shall pass away, but My word shall not pass," through the intercession
of Mary, Thy most holy Mother, I feel confident that my prayer will be
granted.
I ask that Aileen Viray, mother of our
friend Anj, be granted a miracle and make her nasopharyngeal cancer go
away painlessly and a.s.a.p. Please grant this wish. I know you will. I
know you will. |
So that's it for now. BTW, the biopsy result
might be released after 2-3 days. I'll update everyone as soon as I get it. I'm
more scared than ever, but somehow I feel stronger too.
Please please please, help my beloved Mama get
the BEST treatment she NEEDS to fully recover from this illness.
----------
You can click HERE if you want to see the different ways to donate, or to sign up for the mailing list.
Current mood:  exanimate ::: Post a message. :::
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Mama was transferred to a different
hospital today --- Philippine General Hospital (PGH).
BTW, I got the copy of the MRI of the head,
photocopied them (plus the CT scan) and here's what it said:
|
MRI of
the Head
Multiple plain and contrast-enhanced
axial, coronal and sagittal images reveal an ill-defined moderately
contrast enhancing solid mass involving the left side of the nasopharynx
with infiltration to the right as well as into the left clivus and
sphenoid sinus. This also extends into the left cavernous sinus region.
The mass measures 4 x 3.5 x 4.0 cm with a retention cyst in the sphenoid
sinus.
There is no brain edema. The rest of
the brain parenchyma is grossly normal. The ventricles are not dilated.
There is no midline shift.
There are multiple enlarged lymph nodes
in the right posterior cervical spaces measuring 1.5 to 3.0 cm. There
are few subcentimeter lymph nodes on the left side.
The left inferior nasal turbinate is
enlarged or congested. There is mucosal thickening in the right
maxillary sinus. The rest of the paranasal sinuses are clear.
IMPRESSION:
1. LEFT-SIDED NPCA WITH EXTENSION TO THE RIGHT SIDE, SPHENOID SINUS,
CLIVUS AND CAVERNOUS SINUS.
2. METASTATIC LYMPH NODES, RIGHT POSTERIOR CERVICAL SPACE.
3. POLYSINUSITIS WITH
RETENTION CYST IN THE SPHENOID SINUS. |
Mama's schedule of exams and stuff have been
messed up since the decision of a transfer. PGH is a government hospital, but
they have really good doctors. And in addition, my cousin and her boyfriend are
working there as OTs... so they know people and we can get a better treatment
than if we were to find our own doctors.
Another reason for the transfer was because
Mama needed the biopsy right away, so that proper steps can be taken. But the
ENT at the DLS Hospital (previous hospital) wanted to perform endoscopy on Mama
to kind of *feel* if he can reach the tumor. It didn't sound very good to us, so
we decided to change hospitals and doctors.
The BIOPSY is very important... because
that's how we will know if Mama's sickness is malignant or benign. HOPEFULLY it
is benign. But without the biopsy, we won't know (even the doctors) how to treat
her. We had to transfer her right away so we can wait in line for the private
room in PGH. Currently, she's in a pay ward with 6 people with her. I know she
is not comfortable that way, so hopefully the private room will be ready
tomorrow. So for now, only Papa is with her there. We'll be staying home until
they get settled in PGH. Those who want to visit her, just send me an e-mail
at mama.fund@gmail.com to get my mobile
number and I'll let you know when you can visit.
Problem is, no money... no
test/exam/surgery/whatever. It's like in some restaurants, "Pay as you order."
Mama's tests and stuff are not like hamburgers or french fries that we can just
"pay as we order"... so that's another thing we're worried about. The earlier
she is treated, the better. I suspect that her case is already advanced since
it's the nasopharyngeal tumor's nature to not show symptoms until it's in the
advanced stage. As we all know, advanced stage means that it's been in the body
for so long, and that it somehow spread to other parts nearby. That is why, the
doctors saw a lump at the base of Mama's brain, because that's an indication
that's it's already spread.
But God has His ways of helping His
children. Since I started these web pages (14 May 2005), quite a number of
people responded and wanted to help out. Mostly by prayers, good wishes for
Mama, and SPREADING THE WORD. But there are those selected ones who really
helped and donated financially. I won't name them for security reasons, but you
know who you are. Good karma will come to you soon, I just know it. I am truly
happy and blessed to have these amazing people in my life. Everyone helping out
is just so so sweet and kind. Others made plugs on their websites/journals about
the Mama Fund Project like
this
and
this and
this and
this and
this and one person even made
a page entirely for Mama Fund. (If you have a website/page/journal that
plugged the Mama Fund and you want me to include it here, please send an e-mail
to mama.fund@gmail.com so I can add
you. =])
So I am taking this opportunity to thank EACH and EVERYONE for the
prayers, good wishes, thoughts, care and love, donations, upcoming donations,
concerns, and everything else for my Mama and the Mama Fund. THANK YOU from the
bottom of my soul. Mama appreciates ya'll. *hugz* Please keep the help and
donations coming, even
just your spare can help so much. PLEASE help my Mama, be a part of our struggle
to keep her alive and well, and I know that your kind hearts will be rewarded
somehow. It's amazing how people's true kindness would show at times like this.
It's really overwhelmingly positively AMAZING.
I have tons of pictures, mostly goofy ones
since Mama doesn't like depressing situations. She laughs and jokes a lot, which
I think is some form of defence mechanism to hide her sadness and fear. Anyway,
here are some pictures. *^____^*
I am not the person who goes to church every
Sunday and prays the rosary every day. But I have a special communication with
God. But lately, I am even considering reciting a novena... very
out-of-character for me, but anything to create miracles and make my Mama live
some more. I still want to take her around the world once I work and get some
money of my own. So, she should DEFINITELY get through all these. Please pray for her,
and for us.
If you want to recite the novena with me,
you can. It would be really helpful. With so many people praying, I think God
can't resist to answer back. ;) Even if you're not that religious, please try
this out. My Grandma says it's very very very effective. Se recited it for my
Papa when he was seeing the doctors, and they didn't find anything wrong with
him. So that led me to believe that this one works.
It's really easy. Just say it at the same
time for nine consecutive hours, or for nine days. I suggest nine hours coz it's
easier to remember (you can set your alarm every hour) and it's much needed that
we get to praying early. Please say these words from your heart. Here goes:
|
NOVENA IN URGENT NEED TO THE INFANT JESUS
OF PRAGUE
O JESUS, who hast said, "Ask and you shall
receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you,"
through the intercession of Mary, Thy most holy Mother, I knock, I seek,
I ask that my prayer be granted.
I seek that Aileen Viray, who has a
potentially dangerous and life-threatening illness (specifically the
tumor in her head), be granted with a miracle and make the disease go
away, or at least be benign instead of malignant. That she should not
have a cancerous tumor, which would endanger her life and cast extreme
sadness to her family, friends, and loved ones. I pray that good and
kind hearts of people be touched with your love and help out her family
in this crisis. Also, that the Mama Fund Project be a success to help
raise her chances a great deal. May she get the best treatment she needs
to fully recover after this gruelling process in her life. Please grant
this wish of mine.
O JESUS, who hast said, "All that you ask
of the Father in My Name He will grant you," through the intercession of
Mary, Thy most holy Mother, I humbly and urgently ask Thy Father in Thy
Name that my prayer be granted.
I seek that Aileen Viray, who has a
potentially dangerous and life-threatening illness (specifically the
tumor in her head), be granted with a miracle and make the disease go
away, or at least be benign instead of malignant. That she should not
have a cancerous tumor, which would endanger her life and cast extreme
sadness to her family, friends, and loved ones. I pray that good and
kind hearts of people be touched with your love and help out her family
in this crisis. Also, that the Mama Fund Project be a success to help
raise her chances a great deal. May she get the best treatment she needs
to fully recover after this gruelling process in her life. Please grant
this wish of mine.
O JESUS, who hast said, "Heaven and earth
shall pass away, but My word shall not pass," through the intercession
of Mary, Thy most holy Mother, I feel confident that my prayer will be
granted.
I seek that Aileen Viray, who has a
potentially dangerous and life-threatening illness (specifically the
tumor in her head), be granted with a miracle and make the disease go
away, or at least be benign instead of malignant. That she should not
have a cancerous tumor, which would endanger her life and cast extreme
sadness to her family, friends, and loved ones. I pray that good and
kind hearts of people be touched with your love and help out her family
in this crisis. Also, that the Mama Fund Project be a success to help
raise her chances a great deal. May she get the best treatment she needs
to fully recover after this gruelling process in her life. Please grant
this wish of mine. I know you will. I know you will. |
So that's about it. I'll make another update
when Mama gets settled and gets the result of the biopsy. That's the most
important part of the process. Please please please, help my beloved Mama get
the BEST treatment she NEEDS to fully recover from this illness.
----------
You can click HERE if you want to see the different ways to donate, or to sign up for the mailing list.
Current mood:  drained ::: Post a message. :::
Sunday, May 15, 2005
The MRI results were explained by Mama's doctor today. I wasn't able to copy the MRI impressions because the
doctor took it with him for further study (and to show to the ENT surgeon he
referred to us). But I listened attentively to his interpretations so I think I
can explain what the new findings are.
Mama and Papa at the
hospital.
The
first thing that the CT scan suggested was that Mama has a nerve sheath tumor at
the lower part of her brain near the neck. It didn't show a mass at the
nasopharynx... which is what Mama's doctor think is the culprit for Mama's
symptoms.
The
MRI enhanced the images of Mama's lower head and the nasopharynx. It showed
signs of a really growing mass lesion on the nasopharynx... which would most
probably be --- nasopharyngeal tumor.
I
have searched for the best information I can find about nasopharyngeal
tumor and found THIS
USEFUL SITE. If you click all the detailed information on the right
side, you will know more about it and how horrible this disease is.
=(
But
all the information therein won't be applicable to Mama if her case is BENIGN
(non-cancerous). If it is benign, then she has better chances. But they
said that benign cases are rare. ='( Hopefully, Mama is one of the rare cases.
If it's malignant (cancerous), then that's what I am truly scared
of.
To
be able to determine whether her tumor is benign or malignant... a biopsy
will be done. If a suspicious growth is found, a biopsy is usually done to
obtain a sample of tissue. In this procedure, the doctor uses small instruments,
with the aid of a fiberoptic scope for a direct view, to cut out a small piece
of tissue. The tissue specimen is sent to a laboratory, and a pathologist (a
doctor specializing in laboratory diagnosis of diseases) looks at the tissue
under a microscope. If cancer cells are present, the pathologist sends back a
report describing the type and extent of the cancer. The doctor said,
probably it would be on Monday, 16 May 2005. Hopefully they won't find cancer
cells in it. Please pray for it to have no cancer cells!
*prays*
All
these procedures cannot be executed without the full payment. And the longer
Mama waits for treatment, the larger the tumor would grow and will eventually
reach the other parts of the head and other organs too. If she's treated
early, she'll have a better chance of survival.
So I am asking everyone who reads this to PLEASE help my Mama
out. We want the best treatment for her and we can't do that with money
restraints. We're not rich and we live in a third-world country so it's really
very difficult to handle all these fees.
Also, if you really want to help out more, you can forward the
link of these pages to your friends and family and everyone you know so that
Mama can receive all the help she needs.
Reading all these, I actually regret the things I did in the past
to hurt Mama's feelings. I never really imagined her to be sick, or worse, to
have a really life-threatening one. So everyone who still with have a mother..
please value them every second they're still around. The same goes to
your father and other family members. We really don't know when we'll die or
when we'll be taken away from our loved ones. Treasure every
moment.
With
that said, I ask again to please help us out. Whether by prayers, get-well
wishes, gifts, visits, or financial donations. Financial donations would
practically help a LOT though... so we can seek out the best doctors to treat my
most precious Mama.
----------
You can click HERE if you want to see the different ways to donate, or to sign up for the mailing list.
Current mood: crappy ::: Post a message. :::
Saturday, May 14, 2005
I've
read and heard a lot of amazing success stories from all over the world that
utilized the power of the internet to serve their purpose. Many lives have
changed and often, dreams come true. The most remarkable way I've seen the
internet help other people is through donations for a cause.. especially for
a life-threatening one.
I
want the internet to help me too.. actually, I want the internet to help my
Mama.
See,
Mama (my mother) was just recently been admitted in Delos Santos Medical
Hospital in Quezon City, Philippines last Wednesday, May 11, 2005 at around 3
am. We rushed her to the emergency room because of an extremely painful
headache and slight failure of eyesight, balance problems, and vertigo.
She's been having these symptoms for weeks (maybe a month) now, been to one
doctor to another. But all these doctors did was either confuse my mom a lot
more about her illness or what's worse is that some tell her false
interpretations of her symptoms. She's wasted a lot of money asking these
doctors for advice (and also for eye glasses she didn't really need) believing
they know better than she does, but nobody truly helped her.
She
finally gave up on going to different doctors at about the end of April this
year. She said she'll just wait for Papa (my father) to arrive so he can
accompany her to a better doctor.
Papa
came home for a month's worth of vacation last May 5th of this year, and planned
to go back to work abroad on the first of June. He had to go to doctors too
because he's feeling ill as well, but it turned out that it was not that
serious. So it was my mother's turn for the doctor-hopping.
But
one night, my mom just suddenly fell ill. She could not see clearly, felt
really dizzy, and her head hurt even reaching her dreams until she cried and
cried. That made us rush her to the emergency room on the 11th of
May.
She
was admitted in the hospital, had a CT scan of the head, and was informed that
she has a growing mass at the lower part of her brain. A copy of the CT
scan impressions is included below:
|
CT Scan of the
Head
Plain and contrast-enhanced axial
CT images of the head show an enhancing mass in the sphenoid sinus, left
cavernous sinus and paracavernous region, and left prepontine
cistern.
The left side of the basisphenoid
appears eroded.
There are no abnormal density
changes in the supra- and infratentorial brain parenchyma.
The corpus callosum, basal nuclei,
thalami and brainstem are unremarkable.
The peripheral sulci and the
Sylvian, interhemispheric and cerebellar fissures are
intact.
The ventricles are not dilated,
without deformities or midline shifts.
The sella, intraorbital
structures, cerebellopontine angles, petromastoids and bony calvarium are
intact.
IMPRESSION:
1. MASS LESION IN THE SPHENOID
SINUS, LEFT CAVERNNOUS SINUS, PARACAVERNOUS AND LEFT PRE-PONTINE
CISTERN.
2. CONSIDERATIONS INCLUDED
NASOPHARYNGEAL CA, SPHENOID SINUS OR NERVE SHEATH TUMOR.
3. SUGGEST MRI OF THE SKULL BASE
REGION, AND/OR CT SCAN OF THE NASOPHARYNX FOR FURTHER
EVALUATION. |
So
far, that's all we know. My Mama's current doctors are looking at it as a tumor
and treating her with mannitol every 6 hours and some steroids (dexametasone).
Mama was advised to take an MRI of her sphenoid sinus and the lower part of her
head. MRI results will probably arrive tomorrow, and as soon as I get it, I'll
update everyone. In addition to that, I'm going to add some pictures so you'll
know this is true. :)
The
possible things Mama will undergo to remove the mass in her brain
are:
1. Gamma Knife Surgery - After this session, she will be isolated for a
week.
2.
Traditional Brain Surgery - I don't know how this would work, but I know
for sure it would hurt.
So
what am I saying? All these procedures are way more expensive than we can
handle. But we value Mama's life and we want her to get better as soon as
possible. She worries about everything, even the cost of her hospital bills,
medication, surgery, examinations, and all that stuff. We want her not to
worry and hopefully get the best treatment for her. I want to help out,
somehow...
With
all these stated, I am asking (even begging) for your help. Any help will
be much appreciated. But practically, we need financial help right now for us to
provide her with the best treatment.
Please help my Mama, because she is an amazing mother. I could not
even describe how she sacrificed a whole lot just to raise my brother and I in
the best possible way she can.
----------
You can click HERE if you want to see the different ways to donate, or to sign up for the mailing list.
Current mood: blank ::: 2 kind thoughts Post a message. :::
|
|
