Boy with hemangioma needs more treatment

Though it still needs further treatment, the swollen and bleeding contusion that covers most of two-year-old Jake Nepomuceno’s right leg and foot is now starting to heal, giving his parents reason to smile.

"Ang laki ng pagbabago sa kondisyon niya. Mas masigla na siya at hindi na sya namumutla (There’s a big improvement in his condition. He is more bubbly now and he is no longer pale)," said Jake’s mother, Shirley.

Jake had undergone months of treatment for hemangioma, a congenital tumor affecting blood vessels in the lower limbs. This tumor caused the formation of the bloody mark on Jake’s right leg and foot.

Jake’s left leg and foot had been larger than his head, and his arms were spotted with what looked like blood clots just under the skin.

Last February, Jake’s mother sought the help of The STAR’s Operation Damayan after doctors at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center diagnosed him with the condition. Damayan is the socio-humanitarian arm of the STAR Group of Publications.

Doctors initially said Jake’s swollen left leg was supposed to be amputated, while his right leg needed to be subjected to laser surgery to remove the mark. The cost of the surgery and treatment, however, was too much for his parents to shoulder alone.

Jake’s story was published in The STAR and its sister publication Pilipino STAR Ngayon, drawing support from kind-hearted individuals and St. Luke’s Medical Center (SLMC).

With the support of donors, Damayan is now shouldering Jake’s treatment at SLMC, providing him with milk and vitamins, and the money his parents need to bring him to and from the hospital.

Attending physician Dr. Allan Racho — whose services are "gratis et amore" — said Jake’s resulting blemish is slowly drying up because of the Roferon injections he is being administered three times a week.

Each vial of Roferon usually costs P1,400 but its manufacturer and local distributor — Roche and Zuellig, respectively — slashed the price by P200 for Jake’s family.

Racho said Jake might have to undergo similar injections for six more months, after which the doctors will attend to his swollen left leg.

The resulting blemish has stopped bleeding and has subsided by 40 percent. Since it bled continually in the past, Jake’s hemoglobin level dropped so low he had to undergo blood transfusions.

Racho said there is no need to amputate Jake’s left leg. Doctors are examining it to determine if the swelling is caused by hemangioma or lymphagioma, a tumor of the lymphatic ducts.

Doctors are currently using ultrasound to determine which blood vessels in Jake’s lower limbs are blocked and need treatment.

"He has improved a lot. We are closely examining his condition and we’re doing our best to address his condition," Racho said.

Shirley said doctors are now helping Jake grow strong enough to be able to receive further treatments and examinations.