Mama Fund

The bitch is back! Kamusta na kayo?

Sat, 27 May 2006 10:35:09 GMT

hi!!! *sabay wave everywhere* it's been awhile since i was here... but rejoice!!! the bitch is back!!! kwentuhan ulit tayo!!!

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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

Mama's graduation and Holiday greetings!

Sat, 31 Dec 2005 09:51:04 GMT

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!!! *^_^*

Mama's 4th Chemotherapy + Forwarded Plea for a Cancer Fundraiser

Tue, 11 Oct 2005 15:24:19 GMT

I made this forward e-mail and sent it to some friends and family. We could use more sending power.. so if you are willing ot help out.. please send this letter to as many people as you can. God bless. ^^

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Good day,

I want to raise PHP250,000 or $5,000 in 1-3 months for my mother's chemotherapy.

It may sound impossible or unattainable, but for my case it is what we need right now. And with the kindest hearts, I feel strongly that I can do this.

Just roughly 4 months ago, my mother was diagnosed with cancer of the nasopharynx. The cancer cells are so near the brain that it is very dangerous if left unattended. So my mother had to undergo 30 sessions of radiation therapy and 6 sessions of chemotherapy. So far she's finished all the sessions of radiation therapy and 3 sessions of chemotherapy. She needs 3 more to fully recover. But it shocked me when I found out that we are running out of funds to foster my mother's remaining treatment. My father is feeling that he might lose his job soon (as I've recently found out as well), my brother is going to take up nursing in college, and I still have 1 more year before finishing my chemistry program.

So now I am trying to ask the help of the cosmos, the divine, and everyone with the kindest hearts to obtain this goal.

This is a leap of faith for me. I may or may not get to my goal.. but I am praying that I will. Mama was admitted in the hospital yesterday and we are not certain where to get money to pay for her chemotherapy. I am banking on my faith in God and my faith in people. I hope my faith is strong enough. ^^

PS: Don't get me wrong. I am willing to do something for you in return for a donation. A website, maybe? I dunno.. e-mail me at mama.fund@gmail.com to get in touch. ^^ God bless you and your family.

~ Angeline Viray from the Philippines
mama.fund@gmail.com

PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS. GOD GIVES MUCH BLESSING TO PEOPLE WHO GIVE TO THEIR FELLOWMEN. ^^ Thank you. ^^ Pray before you send, it might just work. ^^

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Update #14

Mon, 01 Aug 2005 16:09:46 GMT

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.

Update #13

Sat, 23 Jul 2005 16:28:13 GMT

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! ^^;

Update #12: Second Chemotherapy

Sun, 17 Jul 2005 11:17:11 GMT

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!

Update #11

Tue, 05 Jul 2005 10:54:37 GMT

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. :)

Update #10

Tue, 28 Jun 2005 13:57:16 GMT

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

Update #9

Tue, 21 Jun 2005 15:35:23 GMT

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. :)

Update #8

Fri, 17 Jun 2005 08:59:15 GMT

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. :)

Update #7

Tue, 07 Jun 2005 03:04:47 GMT

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

Update #4

Wed, 18 May 2005 12:14:51 GMT

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.

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Update #1

Wed, 18 May 2005 11:16:07 GMT

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.

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