Dale and Sherpa undergo toe amputation

Doctors yesterday amputated the toes of adventure sportsman Dale Abenojar and 21-year-old Nepali Sherpa Pasang Dorchi Sherpa, who helped him reach the summit of Mount Everest last May 15.

Their gangrene-infected toes were amputated at the Cardinal Santos Memorial Medical Center in San Juan to prevent infection which could have threatened their lives.

Abenojar lost his left big toe while nine of Pasang’s toes were amputated.

Vascular surgeon Dr. Ricky Quintos first examined their toes to determine how deep orthopedic surgeon Dr. Edgar Eufemio should cut.

Doctors decided to perform the surgery after the Cruz Fabregas & Pamintuan law office, represented by lawyer Myra Cruz, pledged to shoulder the surgery cost and medicine.

Eufemio said Cruz, a friend and gym-mate of his, made the pledge last Thursday.

She approached him during their workout saying she wanted to help after reading about the financial difficulties of Abenojar and his Sherpa guide in the newspapers.

"Thanks so much to Attorney Cruz because she saved Pasang’s life, who saved mine on Mount Everest," Abenojar said.

Pasang also received a donation of P4,500 from Kent Mataragnon of Tarlac and a bottle of Squalene from Masahealth, which was pledged by Philip Muyot, who called up The STAR asking how he could send his donation.

Tycoon Lucio Tan, who controls Philippine Airlines, Asia Brewery and Fortune Tobacco, had earlier pledged to shoulder Abenojar’s stay at Cardinal Santos.

Tan made the pledge after Abenojar and Pasang were set to transfer to the government-run Philippine General Hospital (PGH) to save on hospital expenses.

Eufemio stressed that the same top-notch doctors would still be available to tend to Abenojar and Pasang at PGH because he and the other members of his team also practice at PGH.

Eufemio and his team — Quintos, anesthesiologist Dr. Rica Yap, nutritionist Virgith Buena, and scrub nurse Jenny Rull — waived their professional fees in treating Abenojar and Pasang.

Abenojar claims he reached the summit of Everest on May 15, ahead of celebrated mountaineers Leo Oracion and Erwin Emata.

Oracion and Emata reached summit on May 17 and 18, respectively. Abenojar’s reported feat is being challenged, however.

Abenojar said he would present concrete proof in due time.