It’s a good start for the year for the patients we are helping in Lingkod Kapamilya.
It’s taken months — some almost a year — but with patience, we’re seeing the recovery of our patients.
Thirteen-year-old Otit Bombita from Catanduanes was referred to us by a priest. Otit suffered second to third degree burns all over his body when he accidentally touched a live wire while trying to catch a spider.
His parents who were farmers thought it best to apply home remedy on the wounds of the young boy. This lasted for six months before he was actually brought to a hospital for doctors to attend to him.
I saw how Otit was when he was first admitted at the East Avenue Medical Center seven months ago. He was obviously in pain, with his chest area suffering the deepest wounds. His left forefinger was also burned and brittle. Despite this, Otit was attempting to move his hand. Perhaps he was trying to show us that his finger was worth saving, but it really had to be amputated.
For months, he went through the process of skin-drafting and every day his wounds were being cleaned. He would cry in pain each time, but not once did I see the courage in his eyes waver. After being dressed, Otit told me that he got his strength in prayer.
Another patient, two-year-old Conrad Parpan, was referred to Lingkod Kapamilya due to teratoma, a tumor in his brain. This caused his right eye to protrude. His mother Jenny was desperate because a few months back, Conrad went into a coma, but thankfully, chemotherapy made the tumor subside, and immediately Conrad gained his consciousness. But Conrad’s father Jun, who earns his living as a security guard, could not sustain the boy’s treatment. They had already gone to Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and gone door-to-door asking for help. But still, this was not enough.
When we visited our two boys, Otit and Conrad, this week, we couldn’t help but feel optimistic.
Otit was already discharged from the hospital and is staying at his relative’s house in Antipolo. He is done with skin-drafting and can now walk about. His arms are still tight, but he continues to do his exercises and continually practices his writing preparing for school. He is due for another operation to release the burn scar contracture on his neck.
Meanwhile, the bulge in the right eye of Conrad has also subsided. He is turning into the “terrible 2†that he ought to be, crying to get his mom to put him down so he can walk!
However, Conrad’s doctor warned that his type of tumor has a chance of recurrence even after completing the remaining six cycles of chemotherapy. We continue to pray.
We’ve had success stories with patients and also a number patients who have passed on. All our patients have very little means to pay for medical expenses and even transportation, but never are they helpless. Our team makes it a point to the patients and their families that we will help them with their treatment, together.
We are forever grateful to our dear donors for your help, but I know that you will also be proud of our patients and their families who have been so brave and courageous in dealing with their illness.
For those who wish to donate, here are the account details of Lingkod Kapamilya:
Bank: Banco De Oro Mother Ignacia
Account Name: AFI-Gabay Kapamilya
Account Number: 005630050932
Maraming salamat po!
(Kindly e-mail your comments at nagmamahalateb2@yahoo.com.)