Dad's Leukemia Treatment
Donation protected
Last July, our dad was rushed to the hospital for severe pain and weakness. After several tests, they had to put him in the ICU as they couldn't figure out what he had. He had fluid in his lungs and when the blood test came back, his platelet count was low that the doctors initially thought it was dengue. After more procedures were done, dengue was ruled out and the hematologist informed us that he has leukemia. They administered antibiotics for the fluid in his lungs and ordered an MRI, which was how they discovered some blockages in his heart that required immediate action. So after some transfusions to get his blood to a safe level, the cardiologist performed angioplasty and removed the major blockage (and some small ones as well); but because our dad's blood level was dropping to dangerous levels, the cardiologist wasn't able to remove the other blockage. He had to postpone the procedure for another date. He recommended that the next angioplasty be done after his leukemia had been addressed. Working in conjunction with the hematologist, he had prescribed a heart medication as maintenance until then. At this point, our dad had already been in the ICU and also in isolation for about 2 weeks.
When dad had recovered from the angioplasty, the hematologist discussed the treatment that he knew was best for him given his age and heart condition - low-dose chemotherapy. He advised us to have it started as soon as possible. After deliberating, we gave him the go, and he promptly initiated the first round of chemotherapy. For every chemo session, our dad has to stay at the hospital for at least 5 days. So in total he had been confined for 26 days, which included some days post-chemo to see how he was reacting to the treatment. Before he was discharged from the hospital, his hematologist and his cardiologist talked to us about the importance of getting a CBC (Complete Blood Count) done every other day to monitor his blood levels. Significant drop of his platelet and/or hemoglobin count requires blood transfusions to prevent a potential heart attack. The trip to the hospital (Cavite to Bonifacio Global City) could take hours given the traffic situation in the Philippines, which sadly, also takes its toll on dad. On August 23rd, he had to be admitted at the hospital due to low hemoglobin count.
Currently, our dad is at the hospital for his 3rd round of chemo. When he checked in, his blood levels were so low that he required a lot of transfusions. He's had fever on and off, so they haven't administered chemo yet, and he's been there for 6 days now.
For dad's medications, procedures, and prior hospitalizations (angioplasty, 2 rounds of chemo, CBCs, and transfusions), all bills have been paid using his savings. He's been retired for a couple of years now and didn't really think his savings would all go to this. Nobody really thinks something like this could happen to them, until it does, right? So we've decided to set this account up, because we are aware that we need all the help we can get in raising the funds to continue his treatment. We aren't sure how long it would take to completely heal his leukemia; and as we all know, hospital stays, tests, procedures, medicines, chemotherapy, and doctors' professional fees don't come cheap. Right now his hematologist is recommending another form of treatment that is more expensive, but he says is more aggressive. We implore for your generosity and support and would value any help you could extend us in these trying times. We thank you in advance and may God bless us all!
- Grace, Sheryll, and Atoy
When dad had recovered from the angioplasty, the hematologist discussed the treatment that he knew was best for him given his age and heart condition - low-dose chemotherapy. He advised us to have it started as soon as possible. After deliberating, we gave him the go, and he promptly initiated the first round of chemotherapy. For every chemo session, our dad has to stay at the hospital for at least 5 days. So in total he had been confined for 26 days, which included some days post-chemo to see how he was reacting to the treatment. Before he was discharged from the hospital, his hematologist and his cardiologist talked to us about the importance of getting a CBC (Complete Blood Count) done every other day to monitor his blood levels. Significant drop of his platelet and/or hemoglobin count requires blood transfusions to prevent a potential heart attack. The trip to the hospital (Cavite to Bonifacio Global City) could take hours given the traffic situation in the Philippines, which sadly, also takes its toll on dad. On August 23rd, he had to be admitted at the hospital due to low hemoglobin count.
Currently, our dad is at the hospital for his 3rd round of chemo. When he checked in, his blood levels were so low that he required a lot of transfusions. He's had fever on and off, so they haven't administered chemo yet, and he's been there for 6 days now.
For dad's medications, procedures, and prior hospitalizations (angioplasty, 2 rounds of chemo, CBCs, and transfusions), all bills have been paid using his savings. He's been retired for a couple of years now and didn't really think his savings would all go to this. Nobody really thinks something like this could happen to them, until it does, right? So we've decided to set this account up, because we are aware that we need all the help we can get in raising the funds to continue his treatment. We aren't sure how long it would take to completely heal his leukemia; and as we all know, hospital stays, tests, procedures, medicines, chemotherapy, and doctors' professional fees don't come cheap. Right now his hematologist is recommending another form of treatment that is more expensive, but he says is more aggressive. We implore for your generosity and support and would value any help you could extend us in these trying times. We thank you in advance and may God bless us all!
- Grace, Sheryll, and Atoy
Fundraising team (3)
Mary Co
Organizer
Springfield, NJ
Jordan Nitolo
Team member
Ma Sheryll Co
Team member
