Paving Rosabella's Recovery Road
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Why do we need help?
Rosabella has been living with lung cancer and recovering from brain tumour surgeries since 2017. She is courageous, resilient and patient with her diagnosis, but she has reached a critical breaking point. The situation has worsened where Rosabella is unable or has difficulty in performing basic motor skills such as walking, grabbing, lifting, eating and talking.
She requires full assistance throughout the day, and it’s dangerous to leave her without a guardian. That is why I am raising a GoFundMe to afford a full-time caregiver or healthcare aide when her family is unable to care for her.
How your donations will help Rosabella:
According to a salary search, the average cost for a caregiver or health care aide ranges between $30-$40 an hour for the city of Calgary, Alberta. Multiplied by the average working hours in Canada of 2080 hours, we are looking to raise $62,400 to pay for one year of salary for medical assistance. The health care worker will act as a guardian during working hours and drive her to medical appointments when necessary.
Your donations will positively impact Rosabella as she can no longer drive herself and reduce the stress of scheduling with her family members (as they are at work themselves). In the short term, we hope this will significantly improve her situation while the family waits for further medical instructions and determines the next best course of action.
New Update March 28, 2022: Rosabella’s doctors shared the news that she has been diagnosed with leptomeningeal carcinomatosis. This condition means cancer cells have spread to the membrane of her spinal cord and are incredibly difficult to treat. We are now exploring alternative privatized cancer treatments in the USA. We hope to explore this option if the doctor can not recommend any good treatments. With consultations ranging from $10,000 to 15,000 USD.
Medical Timeline - Where are we at right now:
2016
- December: Rosabella began getting headaches when she was abroad in the Philippines. Unusual for her to get headaches.
2017
- January: Headaches became migraines, including symptoms of nausea, dizziness and fatigue. Unfortunately, Rosabella went to a family doctor and was misdiagnosed “with too much screen time.” Migraines continued, and she had many sick days off work.
- July: Rosabella fell due to weakening muscles and lightheadedness and was sent to emergency. After some tests at the hospital, the doctor diagnosed her with stage 4 lung cancer and brain tumours.
- August: Rosabella had a medical operation to remove brain tumours surgically. The surgery was successful, and she continued quarterly health monitoring. She spent the remainder of the year recovering at home.
- Also, her doctor prescribed oral chemo medication.
2018
- Quarterly health monitoring with her doctor and medication continued with side effects of fatigue, weakness, hair loss and sleep troubles.
The picture above was taken in 2018 - during quarterly monitoring from her first surgery
2019
- Quarterly health monitoring with her doctor and medication continued with side effects of fatigue, weakness, hair loss and sleep troubles.
2020
- Quarterly health monitoring with her doctor found more brain membrane growth. Due to covid, all surgeries were postponed. Rosabella waited for her surgery date. Side effects of medication continued.
2021
- October: Rosabella finally received a surgery date, performed in the same month. Surgery was successful, but side effects included inability to command her right arm, difficulty swallowing food, difficulty in speaking and seizures.
- December: Tests found more membrane growth. The doctor suggested radiation therapy.
The picture above was taken in October 2021, recovering at home from her 2nd surgery
2022
- January: Rosabella started radiation therapy and was admitted to the hospital. Fatigue and muscle weakness continued with her condition.
- February: Discharged from hospital, sent home to recover from treatment.
- March: Admitted to the hospital again with symptoms including inability to use legs, stomach pain and nausea. Requires assistance with menial tasks.
- New March 28: Tests found leptomeningeal carcinomatosis. Cancer cells spread to the membrane of her spinal cord. Doctor shares news that this is difficult to treat.
The picture above was taken in March 2022, re-admitted to the hospital for leptomeningeal carcinomatosis. Cancer cells spread to the membrane of her spinal cord.
Presently waiting for doctor recommendations to determine the next course of action
Who is Rosabella?
Rosabella was born in the Philippines and spent most of her adolescence there. Until she moved to Canada alongside her family. During her time in Canada, she resided in Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta. She developed a passion for travel, culture, and meeting new people with her travel history. At one time, she even shared Canadian culture with international students by enrolling in the homestay program and becoming a host herself. Fun fact! She later met her future husband (une mignon français) in the same program!
Professionally, she pursued a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and her professional work involved helping others as a Registered Nurse (RN). She later retired from her RN designation and developed an interest in health informatics. She continues her work in the medical field as a health informaticist.
Rosabella is a role model to many, and she continues to have an open-door policy for anyone looking for guidance in career, personal and relationship matters. She continues to inspire and support others.
If you made it this far, I appreciate your time learning more about Rosabella’s situation. Please consider donating or sharing the GoFundMe page!
God bless, and prayers are welcomed, thank you- We appreciate it!
Co-organizers (2)
Samuel Vito
Organizer
Calgary, AB
Karen Vito
Co-organizer