Our Father’s Journey with Cancer

Margarito D. Tanaman

Our father’s battle with colon cancer began four years ago. He underwent surgery, and for a while, we believed the worst was behind us. But two years later, the cancer came back, and he had to undergo radiation therapy for 27 straight days. By God’s mercy, he responded well, regained his strength, and even returned to work. Seeing him active again gave us so much hope that he was on his way to becoming a survivor.

But last year, another challenge came. An infection developed in the site of his old surgery, and he needed another urgent operation. He lived with a colostomy bag for a year, yet he never lost his courage.

Just a month ago, we rushed him to the hospital because of severe stomach pain and vomiting. We were devastated to learn that his cancer had returned once again, blocking part of his colon. He went through another surgery, but his condition did not improve. He kept vomiting, and within a week, doctors had to operate on him again to create an external passage for his body.

It has now been a month of hospital confinement. Every week, we struggle to provide down payments just to continue his treatment. So far, we have already given ₱185,000. Despite this, as of last week, our final statement of account has reached ₱409,000—and that is already after senior citizen discounts, PhilHealth coverage, and all down payments were deducted.

We have also sought help from government agencies and were able to raise ₱30,000, but it is still not enough against the overwhelming costs of medicine, professional fees, and daily hospital charges. Right now, our account in the hospital has been locked, so we are personally buying all of his medicines outside while the bills continue to grow every day.

As his children, the five of us are working together to carry the load, but the financial burden is now too heavy for us to bear alone.

This is why we are reaching out—with humility, we ask for your support to continue our father’s treatment. Any help, no matter the amount, will mean so much to us and will bring us one step closer to keeping our father alive and fighting. Most of all, we ask for your prayers—for his healing, for strength, and for hope in this long battle.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for standing with us.