Please Help Heal Mariel

MEET MY COUSIN MARIEL

Let me introduce you to our dear Mariel Carla Q. de Jesus. She is beloved by many, not only her family.

 

She is a project manager for a sustainability communications NGO in the Philippines. Her other full-time role is as a soprano for the chorale group, Hangad. She is a writer, a vegan, a yoga practitioner and an animal lover. She loves music, dancing, drawing, and is also a "K-drama Tita". Her singing has helped many people with their prayer life, and spiritual connection. But, she also loves singing standards, including K-pop.

 

MARIEL'S CANCER JOURNEY

 

 

In May of 2019, when she was 43, she was unexpectedly diagnosed with an extremely rare form of Ewing sarcoma, a bone cancer that is by nature aggressive, and more often afflicts adolescents. Apart from that tumor, which was found during a routine annual lung test for tuberculosis required by her office, she experienced no other signs or symptoms. At first, they thought it was lung cancer, but after a few more tests, it was found to be Ewing sarcoma. By the time the diagnosis was confirmed, she was already scheduled for surgery to remove the tumor in August, and that surgery was a success. However, due to Ewing sarcoma's systemic nature, the doctors mandated 16 sessions of chemotherapy and 20 sessions of radiation treatment. With the help and care of her sister, Lara, Mariel underwent this over a period of one year. Every 21 days, she received chemotherapy sessions as alternating one-day-long chemo sessions, and eight-day-long chemo sessions. This required hospitalization, sometimes up to two weeks due to complications.

 

With God's grace and loving protection, Mariel made that arduous journey through the Covid pandemic lockdown in Manila, one of the top 10 worst places to be during the pandemic. She completed the chemo treatment, was given one month rest, and then she proceeded with daily sessions of radiation.

 

The treatment which ended right before Christmas of 2020, was a success. Her subsequent scans were clear, and her hair soon grew back in lush curls. We were overjoyed and filled with gratitude. She was able to return to her life of singing, and dancing, and drawing—she had never stopped working from home, even through the chemotherapy sessions.

 

 

 

 

NEW DEVELOPMENT

In mid-September this year, Mariel noticed that she was getting short of breath. She had severe headaches, skin rashes and intermittent fevers. She was pale. Her doctors requested blood tests, and found that her cell counts were below normal. She was confined once again for red blood cells, and platelets transfusions. She also underwent a bone marrow biopsy to diagnose her condition.

 

With hospital blood banks dry due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we had to call out for kind compatible blood donors, willing to come to the hospital during the pandemic. It was a huge ask, but, many kind souls responded. Mariel received the transfusions she needed.

 

We prayed that the bone marrow biopsy would reveal that it was simply suppressed by her past chemo, and could be re-stimulated. However, the biopsy results were not what we prayed and hoped for. On October 11, 2021, her 45th birthday, Mariel was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), in all likelihood, as a secondary cancer due to her earlier treatment.

 

TREATMENT PLAN

"Acute" in AML means that the leukemia is fast-moving and aggressive. However, it is treatable. Mariel needs even more intense chemotherapy, more blood and platelets transfusions over an as yet unknown period of time. It is projected that she will require confinement for two to four months, so that the doctors can manage infections, and other complications that may arise from treatment. Ultimately, she will need a bone marrow transplant.

 

FINANCES

There is much that she needs—blood and platelet donors, a bone marrow donor, excellent medical management and nursing care, prayers, and of course, financial support.

 

Mariel's Philippine health insurance has been depleted, and she has no more coverage. The family funds are likewise running low. This second cancer involves one of the most expensive medical procedures out there. We are asking for help in all respects, but in this particularly, recognizing that a little bit from a lot of people can go a long long way towards covering her immense medical expenses.

 

Her sisters, concerned cousins, and friends have started this crowdfunding page to raise (even at least in part) the sum that will help cover Mariel's medical costs and make it easier for kind, generous hearts to contribute.

 

We cannot be more grateful for even the smallest amounts donated, and we, as well as Mariel, will be in your debt. It is not an easy thing to ask, but we humbly dare to ask it. Mariel is young, strong and faithful. She knows the journey ahead will be even more challenging, but she is ready for it, and truly thankful for any financial help given.

 

With all our heart, we thank you for reading and thank you in advance for your kind donation.