Wednesday, January 27, 2010

"my charm" was crying

i called up my kids this morning to see if everything was ready as my two older kids will travel tonight to see me on my birthday this week end.

i had resolved that i will try my best to never be sad and worried as this strong emotions are really vital in making my laboratory go from bad to worse. but as hear my second son crying i just could not help it. the maternal instinct in me just turned its light on and i could not put it off anymore. i hear him cry as he really believes in his heart and his mind that he would not be be able to come and see me.I do not really know what transpired but he was being threatened that he will not be brought here to see me as a punishment for crying. hearing it WAS JUST AS TORTURE FOR ME AS IT WAS FOR HIM. i know the care givers that they have now meant well even if the method is against my standards. my children are not used to threats, it drives them nuts!they take physical pain better than emotional and psychological ones especially those that pertains to me or their loss of me.my heart just shouts pain at this very moment, is it normal? can anyone relate? i know the one who takes of them loves them as much, that is what I want to believe in my heart.

are these my fault? will they take this against me when they grow older? will they ask where was i when they feel heavy in their chest? I COULD NOT PROTECT THEM FOREVER OR CAN I? what they are going through right now on other people's hands has to pass. they have to learn how to adjust to others and to protect themselves, i just pray dearly that the effect will be positive and will not be the root of a disturbed mind when they grow older.I could bear the thought, they are so young! my pain is killing me. my heart just shouts pain at this very moment, is it normal? can anyone relate? i know the one who takes of them loves them as much, that is what I want to believe in my heart.

God help me now, i want to get out of this sickness and take care of my own children at this very important age. what test is this? I'm being "pressed on all sides" and I do not know how much more I could take.

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Abot Palad Para Kay Ella

A CARE EXTENSION PROJECT: ABOT PALAD para KAY ELLA CABANLET (Reach out for Ella Cabanlet)
Maria Ella Regondola-Cabanlet, wife of Stephen Cabanlet (a Philippine Marine Officer), was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) at Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC), Baguio City, Philippines. A sample of her biopsy was sent to the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI), Quezon City and confirmation was given regarding her diagnosis. She was confined at BGHMC for her first cycle of Chemotherapy last September 19, 2009. Unluckily her condition was complicated by sepsis and bleeding that almost cost her life. By the Lord’s grace, she was discharged after 47 days.

From November 16-27, 2009, Ella had her second cycle of chemotherapy and with God’s grace, there were no infections and complications. The final step of treatment is Stem Cell Transplant (Bone Marrow Transplant). There are only two hospitals in the Philippines that perform Stem Cell or Bone Marrow Transplant, namely: St. Luke’s Medical Center (SLMC), Quezon City and Makati Medical Center (MMC), Makati City. Stephen was given an official cost estimate of about P4.208M (see attached SLMC Cost Estimate & Clinical Abstract pdf files) and for this procedure alone, Stephen will not be able to earn or loan within the military service.

Upon Stephen’s appeal letter from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), the Board finally approved the amount of P1M as financial support for Ella. The amount is already being processed and hopefully everything will be ready on the appointed time. Presently, the donations for Ella, Stephen’s savings and his Navy authorized medical refund have reached a total of P1.5M. If the PCSO support will be counted, they would still need about P2.7M to complete the required amount. Our Father in heaven is rich and Stephen does not lose hope. Ella is still confined at NKTI; she underwent blood transfusion to increase her WBC, platelet count and hemoglobin; and she was covered with antibiotics due to her low immune system. To-date, she is scheduled for the 3rd cycle of her chemotherapy. God willing she will be discharged on Dec. 31st so that she can spend the New Year's eve with the kids.

Christmas still lingers in our hearts and minds that the Holy Spirit prompts us to find ways and means to extend comfort and care to those who are in dire need no matter who they are, because Jesus urged us to “love our neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39), that we should “love one another” (1 John 4:11b), and to “love not in word or speech but in deed and truth” (1 John 4:18).

We believe you can wholeheartedly reach out your love and generosity by helping in whatever way to let Ella realize this final step of Bone Marrow Transplant. You can actualize your offer of help in one and/or any combination of the following means:

1. Cash Donations
• Philippines via Banco de Oro (BDO):
Account Name: Stephen Cabanlet
Savings Account # 1830373674

• US/Canada & Other Countries via www.Xoom.com
- from your own bank account to Stephen’s bank account;
- this is proven safe, secure, speedy, less costly, and you don’t have to drive or commute to a bank or remittance center.

Note: Please email Alex Quirante (alxquir@gmail.com), Abot Palad Project Head Volunteer, about your donation/s for monitoring and acknowledgement purposes (say also if you wish to remain anonymous).

2. Be an Abot Palad Volunteer (APV) for Ella Cabanlet’s benefit
• Transmit via email, on a first hand basis (not forward), this Appeal Letter with the attachments (save in hard disk first) directly to your family members, relatives, co-workers and friends, and request them to donate via # 1 means; and/or
• Refer to me (via email) your associated Filipino groups/communities or known philanthropist/s with contact names, addresses (office and email), and phone #s for my suitable appeal/ request for assistance and follow up.

Reminder: Please avoid multiple email addresses in To or Cc (copy furnish); instead use Bcc (blind copy furnish) for the purpose to prevent hackers and scammers from using this project or accessing your accounts for their own ends.