Norma's Battle Against Brain Cancer fund!
Donation protected
Hello everyone! My name is Ivan Malaga.
5 years ago, I had the opportunity to return to the United States alone from growing up in the Philippines. As I left my family behind, they became the source of my strength that inspired and motivated me to strive for a better life for myself and my family. There has never been a day that passes where I don’t think about them.
Last month, my heart broke with the news that my mother, Norma Malaga, had to be rushed to the ER in the Philippines. My mother exhibited symptoms and signs of stroke: she would daze off and stare at nothing and was very inexpressive of herself emotionally and mentally. At the ER, they immediately ran tests, including COVID-19. My Aunt, an older sister of my mother, had passed away a few years from cancer which was also a primary concern. While waiting for her tests to come back, we decided it would be best to have her admitted for observation.
All her tests came back negative and her x-ray of the chests showed no masses. It was good to hear that there was nothing seen from the neck down. That raised a serious red flag. They then ordered a CT scan for my mother. It was discovered on that test that there was a tumor pressing on her brain. The medical team was then able to prescribe medicine to help reduce the pressure in her head which provided temporary relief to her. She slowly regained her ability to express herself which to me was already a blessing. She was still unable to hold down solid food, so she had to be tube-fed through and inserted NG tube.
To see the full extent of the tumor, they ordered an MRI scan. The results came in a few days later and the tumor had been growing in her frontal lobe, which was why a lot of her motor and higher-thinking capabilities were affected. They had to schedule her for surgery right away. They were able to get it scheduled a few days later. It was deemed a success and there were no residuals based on her post-op scans and she only stayed in the ICU for 2-3 days. They sent a sample of her tumor to get biopsied which takes a couple of weeks to have it reviewed. In the meantime, my family worked on getting her discharged a week after her surgery! What a strong and enduring woman my mother is!
My mother’s biopsy results came in and was scheduled for a follow up check up with her neurosurgeon on July 23rd. The tumor removed was a high grade glioma (glioblastoma).
As COVID-19 cases continue to surge in the Philippines, it has been very difficult for my family to schedule check ups with her doctors. Fortunately, my brother and sister-in-law work as nurses in the Philippines and they know people who have been very helpful in getting my mother cured. We were finally able to speak with an oncologist through the phone and my mother’s final diagnosis is Grade 4 – Glioblastoma Brain Cancer.
Chemotherapy medication and radiation is no joke, even here in the United States. As her cancer is the most aggressive brain cancer there is, treatment for it must be very aggressive. The doctors have said it will be weeks of daily sessions at the hospital.
Whilst this was happening all in the Philippines, I was thousands of miles away, trying to get ahold of the finances that can get my mother treated since I am the only one who could even think of taking up the expenses. Healthcare in the Philippines is different than it is here in the United States. We must pay for any treatment prior to receiving it or we won’t get it. For transparency, I have paid to around $12,000 for all my mother’s medical expenses – this does not include her upcoming chemotherapy and radiation sessions.
Considering the current situation, I have created this GoFundMe titled “Norma’s Battle Against Brain Cancer fund!” This will be for her continued treatment: chemotherapy, radiation, pain management, and daily necessities. I am asking everyone with generous hearts to help me in supporting my mother financially which is the only thing I can do because of the ongoing pandemic. I would drop everything to be with her, but I do not want to be a risk to anyone heath-wise.
Although financial help is greatly appreciated, I humbly ask that you pray for my mother’s healing and for my family. Please pray for God’s continued guidance and grace through her doctors and caregivers. Please also pray for all those who are sick with cancer and COVID-19 and other illnesses. Your prayers mean the most to me and my family!
I find comfort in knowing that my mother has been loved, is being loved, and will be loved by many! Maraming, maraming salamat po! Mahal na mahal ko kayo!
5 years ago, I had the opportunity to return to the United States alone from growing up in the Philippines. As I left my family behind, they became the source of my strength that inspired and motivated me to strive for a better life for myself and my family. There has never been a day that passes where I don’t think about them.
Last month, my heart broke with the news that my mother, Norma Malaga, had to be rushed to the ER in the Philippines. My mother exhibited symptoms and signs of stroke: she would daze off and stare at nothing and was very inexpressive of herself emotionally and mentally. At the ER, they immediately ran tests, including COVID-19. My Aunt, an older sister of my mother, had passed away a few years from cancer which was also a primary concern. While waiting for her tests to come back, we decided it would be best to have her admitted for observation.
All her tests came back negative and her x-ray of the chests showed no masses. It was good to hear that there was nothing seen from the neck down. That raised a serious red flag. They then ordered a CT scan for my mother. It was discovered on that test that there was a tumor pressing on her brain. The medical team was then able to prescribe medicine to help reduce the pressure in her head which provided temporary relief to her. She slowly regained her ability to express herself which to me was already a blessing. She was still unable to hold down solid food, so she had to be tube-fed through and inserted NG tube.
To see the full extent of the tumor, they ordered an MRI scan. The results came in a few days later and the tumor had been growing in her frontal lobe, which was why a lot of her motor and higher-thinking capabilities were affected. They had to schedule her for surgery right away. They were able to get it scheduled a few days later. It was deemed a success and there were no residuals based on her post-op scans and she only stayed in the ICU for 2-3 days. They sent a sample of her tumor to get biopsied which takes a couple of weeks to have it reviewed. In the meantime, my family worked on getting her discharged a week after her surgery! What a strong and enduring woman my mother is!
My mother’s biopsy results came in and was scheduled for a follow up check up with her neurosurgeon on July 23rd. The tumor removed was a high grade glioma (glioblastoma).
As COVID-19 cases continue to surge in the Philippines, it has been very difficult for my family to schedule check ups with her doctors. Fortunately, my brother and sister-in-law work as nurses in the Philippines and they know people who have been very helpful in getting my mother cured. We were finally able to speak with an oncologist through the phone and my mother’s final diagnosis is Grade 4 – Glioblastoma Brain Cancer.
Chemotherapy medication and radiation is no joke, even here in the United States. As her cancer is the most aggressive brain cancer there is, treatment for it must be very aggressive. The doctors have said it will be weeks of daily sessions at the hospital.
Whilst this was happening all in the Philippines, I was thousands of miles away, trying to get ahold of the finances that can get my mother treated since I am the only one who could even think of taking up the expenses. Healthcare in the Philippines is different than it is here in the United States. We must pay for any treatment prior to receiving it or we won’t get it. For transparency, I have paid to around $12,000 for all my mother’s medical expenses – this does not include her upcoming chemotherapy and radiation sessions.
Considering the current situation, I have created this GoFundMe titled “Norma’s Battle Against Brain Cancer fund!” This will be for her continued treatment: chemotherapy, radiation, pain management, and daily necessities. I am asking everyone with generous hearts to help me in supporting my mother financially which is the only thing I can do because of the ongoing pandemic. I would drop everything to be with her, but I do not want to be a risk to anyone heath-wise.
Although financial help is greatly appreciated, I humbly ask that you pray for my mother’s healing and for my family. Please pray for God’s continued guidance and grace through her doctors and caregivers. Please also pray for all those who are sick with cancer and COVID-19 and other illnesses. Your prayers mean the most to me and my family!
I find comfort in knowing that my mother has been loved, is being loved, and will be loved by many! Maraming, maraming salamat po! Mahal na mahal ko kayo!
Organizer
Navii Malaga
Organizer
Garland, TX