What you need to know

Updates March 26-March 30

March 26, 12 MN
I was watching HYD when I felt rashes on my nape; I thought they were “bungang araw”. After a while, I found spots on my forearms… I looked down to my legs, there were more. I had a lot on my cheeks too but they weren’t red. I drank an antihistamine and dozed off.

March 27
(AM) It was Mom’s scheduled check-up, a follow-up on her CT scan (liver). While we were waiting for our turn, she took some papers out and read each page carefully. The results on the last page shocked her. She read lesion, 9cm, and metastasis* She became so worried that she started to weep. I held back my tears. I wanted to believe that what she read to me were lies. The secretary called her in. I decided to stay outside; I was too scared to hear the truth.

It took a while before she came out and when she did, I saw her crying. My heart pounded, my tears flowed.  She told me she needs to undergo RFA (Radiofrequency ablation) and chemotherapy immediately after for the tumor to be removed.

(PM) We went to her Aunt’s place and called our Mama to tell her about Mom’s condition. We started crying all over again. Her aunt suggested that we visit this famous doctor named Ngelangel, for a second opinion. She wanted first to know what that mass is, how it came about – if it was connected to her previous breast CA or if it grew on its own. She suggested undergoing surgery for the removal since she thinks RFA can only remove masses up to 4cm in size only, and that maybe the doctors are only pushing it since it’s a new procedure.

*She has a degree in Nursing so she pretty knows what other scientific terms mean

March 28
(PM) Mom’s crying from time to time.I felt dizzy, I felt a bit sick.

March 29
(AM) I couldn’t focus on my work. A lot of things are bothering me, especially Mom’s condition. By noon time, Marketing Manager came in asking to do a layout needed asap. At this state, I thought, it’s impossible.

(PM) I left by 2:30PM where, before that, she asked for the layout already. Because I thought I had too much, I broke into tears. That’s the time when she let me go.

Pres. Arroyo’s doctor convinced my Mom to push through with the RFA to remove the tumor.

I spent 4 hours waiting for my name to be called. Okay, so I got in, second to the last. My chief complaint was my allergic rhinitis plus these red spots. She was shocked to see how many items I checked on the list of past sickness: asthma/allergic rhinitis, drug allergy, food allergy, etc. Anyway, the red spots are flu rashes. My immune system is currently at its lowest that’s why even these spots came out. Next was to check if I had sinusitis. She inserted 4 cotton buds (with long sticks), 2 per nostril without warning! OUCH!!! >.< two to three minutes after she took them out, this long, thin metal was next. It didn’t hurt as much as the first procedure. The third was somewhat like pumping air inside my nose repetitively. But the end result was good, I don’t have sinusitis.

So, I’m asked to watch out for the food I eat – no processed food, etc. Not allowed to go swimming. I should take an allergy test when I’m feeling better. She gave me new medications, hoping these would work. She also requested me to undergo various lab tests to check on my blood, my immune and endocrine system since I’m taking antihistamine almost every day, and my thyroid gland. Procedure? Blood extraction. Feeling ko sa second extraction mag-faint na ako… O_O

March 30
Mom’s biopsy scheduled on Monday. i pray that it would be benign.

My dear friends, if it isn’t too much to ask… Please include my Mom, Marie Catherine in your prayers. I’d be forever grateful to you.

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