3 bad tumors: Please help me shoo them away!

  

MRI scan results are out and it’s 3 pages long! Meningioma. Schwannomas. Lesions. Mass. Soft tissue. Irregular. Abnormal enhancement. Definite progression. Tumors, tumors and more tumors all over my cranial MRI. Aside from the 4cm big bad brain tumor, there are also tumors on my optical wall (on each side) that needs to be treated. That’s 3 bad tumors! Hopefully the other tumors will remain small and behave forever!

It’s Hypofractionated Stereotactic Radiation Therapy (SRT) times two that costs Php 593,450.00  and we need to raise it within this month.

Here’s the copy of the estimated price quotation we got from Medical City (the only hospital in the country that has this kind of treatment) – the red marks are the discount.

Here’s the plan according to Dr. Vega (radiation oncologist):

Please help me shoo this big bad tumor away!

Hello! I’m Kcat Yarza. As you all know, I was diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis (NF–tumor of the nerves) and I have so many tumors all over my body (inside and out), including the brain. I got lots of small, benign and harmless tumors in my brain except for one aggressive big bad tumor that measures 3.8 x 4.7 x 4.3 cm and causes further compression of the brainstem. Although no too severe (yet?) this causes my frequent dizziness, nerve pain and headaches. If I am able to walk by myself, I would have fall down often and lose my balance. Maybe that is why I fell from my chair countless times.

This tumor needs to be treated with 5 sessions of hypofractionated stereotactic radiation therapy that will cost Php 400,000 or it could be more. It’s not really an emergency but we need to prioritize it because it’s already big and we don’t know how aggressive it is. If it gets bigger, it could cause more harm. How soon is soon? Hopefully before Christmas. Maybe. With your help, this CAN be possible! God will provide.

Every cent counts.

Big bad brain tumor

In May or June (this year), I noticed that I frequently have headache, nerve pain (inside my head) and I often feel disoriented. Good thing, I already know how to manage it. That’s what life is with Neurofibromatosis (NF) and I’m used to it. Then a few weeks ago, I’ve been feeling disoriented and I almost had a seizure. I know the feeling every time I’m about to have seizures. I just know. Amazing, right? I just have to stop what I’m doing, be calm, drink water, drink my anti-seizure, drink water again, and deep breathing. Inhale. Exhale. It works all the time! I never had seizures ever since I started doing this. Almost seizure but it never succeeds! I always win! Haha.

After that, I told my mom that I almost had a seizure and told her about that ‘disoriented feeling’. Then we remembered that it’s been a while since my last cranial CT scan to monitor my tumors. After that, my mom told my neurosurgeon, Dr. Lopez about it and a few days after we got the letter of request and I was scheduled to have the CT scan at PGH-FMAB.

Marinelle (9) is battling with cancer and she needs our help

A few days ago, my friend (I mean gwapong friend. Haha) Armin’s niece, Vera posted a message on my Facebook timeline asking me to repost the link she sent me.

It’s about her friend, Manel, who was diagnosed and battling with cancer.

Here it is::

HELP MY DAUGHTER BECOME CANCER-FREE & WALK AGAIN

 

“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” John 15:7 

KCAT CAN: The best way to fight life’s battles

The best way to fight life’s battles

In our Neurofibromatosis group page on Facebook, one of our NF friends posted, “Sadya bang ganon…? Tayong mga maysakit parang bawal magalit at bawal gumawa ng kasalanan? Dapat alam kung ano ang tama at alin ang mali? Kailangang magpaka-bato pagdating sa love dahil sa takot na baka di tayo sapat.”

I immediately disagreed with two letters, “NO!” Then, I later explained, “Hindi maiiwasang magpaka-emo minsan, pero don’t take everything seriously nalang and choose to laugh at it than be sad about it. Mahirap? Pero hindi impossible.”

KCAT CAN: Carlisle's Plea For Help

“Wala na po bang ibang option?” Marie desperately asked the doctor when she was told that Carlisle needs to undergo another brain surgery. She’s completely aware that craniopharyngioma is a tumor that may come back even after surgery and radiation therapy but she never thought that it can be this fast, it hasn’t been a year since Carlisle’s recent brain surgery.

“I know this is for the best, but as long as there are other options, that I’m sure there will be, I don’t want to risk his life again,” Marie shared.

Read
Carlisle's Plea For Help

On the dawn of March 31, Marie Ruth Berma was blessed with a bouncing baby boy who immediately cried after coming out of his mom’s womb, a sign that he was healthy. The handsome little boy with rosy cheeks and birthmark on his foot, was named Carlisle Von Patrick. For Marie, Carlisle was perfect.

KCAT CAN: Waiting For God's Signs

Whenever I can’t think of anything to write about— whether I mention it in my prayer or not, as long as I would think about it—God always gives me a ‘sign’ to answer this prayer; and Ndre’s story is my answered prayer. 

Read
Waiting For God's Signs

“Do you believe in signs?” My sister asked me one day.

KCAT CAN: The gift of hearing

The gift of hearing 
by Maria Kathrina Lopez Yarza 
August 6, 2012

Despite being deaf, I am still so much grateful because my hearing loss did not occur from the time I was born. I was still able to hear the sounds of the world for 22 years.

KCAT CAN: Emmanuel, the little survivor

Read:
Emmanuel, the little survivor

For updates, LIKE: For Baby Emmanuel page on Facebook

Here are some videos of him:

KCAT CAN: Hello Kidney and Friends!

When I was diagnosed & hospitalized in 2005, Betty one of  the (many many many) friends who gave their support and shared their love with me.

2005. tacK, Adie & Betti

Betti belonged to the batch ahead of me, but because of her condition, she often missed her classes and attended school irregularly.  She was our classmate in some subjects. We became friends and she became a part of our group. She added color to our group with her funny antics and good sense of humor, creative sense of humor that is. It really did not seem like she just came from having being ill and from having an organ transplant. I have admired her since then. Creative. Witty. Funny. Kind.  Giving. And has a stong FAITH in God.

I can say that I knew how Betti felt when she learned that they need a large sum of money for her transplant.

Hello Kidney and friends
by Maria Kathrina Lopez Yarza 
June 11, 2012

A cheerful heart is a good medicine. — Proverbs 17:22

I was pondering on these words when one of my college friends, Kat Soriano, told me about the current health condition of our friend Catherine “Betti” Sanchez, one of the funniest and strongest persons that I know whose cheerfulness has always been contagious.

Help for baby Yvan

Siya po si baby Yvan, isinilang ko po sya nung April 12, 2012, 2kg. Premature baby. Meron pong Neonatal Pneumonia/ Respiratory Distress Syndrome ang pangatlo naming baby. Sa pagaakalang magiging ok ang lahat, at hindi po namin naisip na mangyayari samin to ni Andre. Ipinanganak ko po syang 8 months at ngaun naka admit sa Pasay General Hospital.

Be a hero for Hannah Marie

This is Hannah Marie Honor. She has Biliary Atresia and she needs our help. Attached is her mother's letter. Read on:

My name is Marie Angela De Luna Honor, mother of Hannah Marie D. Honor. She was born on born Feb. 26, 2009 is now 2 years old. On her 2nd month, she was diagnosed with "Biliary atresia", a liver disease characterized by the absence or closure of the bile ducts.  On her 3rd month "Kasai" procedure was done on Hannah at the Philippines Children’s Medical Center [PCMC]; an operation that removes the damaged biliary ducts outside the liver. According to her doctor, this operation is not a cure but rather a temporary solution to give us some more time to find resources for the necessary funding of Hannah's liver transplant operation.

A letter from Meldy Baldovino (who is battling w/ breast cancer)

I recently underwent surgery on my left breast last August 2, 2011. The initial findings revealed that I have Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, Stage II-A, which will require me to undergo 20 chemotherapy sessions. Each session will cost me P52,782. I have already begun the first session on September 1, 2011 and the succeeding sessions will be 21 days after each cycles.

Gift for Anya's heart

I got this from my "angel" friend, Jen Arellano who is currently Doha. She, Abhie & many other OFWs are examples that distance won't hinder them from helping our kababayans..

Help Pia smile again

Let's 'Like' &spread the word about 'Please help Pia Smile again' page in Facebook.. It can reach to someone of high position who could help Pia with her heart operation & make her smile again..

According to her page, Paula Ysabelle or PIA is 4 years old and she needs an operation of the heart when she turns 6.

Prayers from the heart

My mom told me the news about her friend Tita Dorie who is currently in the ICU again. Sad. :(

w/ Tita Dorie in 2009

This came from my mom:

My friend from high school, dorie tayag ang or boston lady is in the Intensive Care Unit of Perpetual Hospital in Laguna now. She was diagnosed with heart enlargement that affected her lungs due to the abnormal size of her heart.

Ferdie Caral will get better

Baby +Nate+ is an angel! Even though he already passed, his family remains an instrument of God in helping other 'sick kids' here on earth. I got this from Yan (Nate's mom):

Baby Ferdie Caral is diagnosed with congenital heart defect when he was 3-month old. His heart condition is called Tetralogy of Fallot. His family was advised corrective heart surgery immediately but because of lack of financial capacity, they were unable to do so. He is now 4 years old and his condition is getting worse. His delay of speech is an obvious indication aside from his dusky lips and nailbeds. Because of his developmental delay, he is also advised to do neurodevelopmental consult. However, first thing first! Fix the heart!

Help Patrick

From Mommy Tet & Daddy Joni of Breathe Hope:

Let us help ease his pain.. Let us HELP Patrick Divinagracia who is suffering from stage 4 testicular cancer

For those who would like to help Patrick, you can contact his parents Daddy Warren and Mommy Lovella Divinagracia @ 09995540840/ 09292213594 or (034)7088536

Goodbye Baby Nate!

I was shocked, saddened & out of words when I learned about Nate's passing. I only learned about it at noon since I woke up late today (everyday pala ;P).. After the heart surgery yesterday, he had a cardiac arrest 12:15 am and the doctor tried to revive him until 2am but his heart did not respond anymore.. Let's pray for Nate's family..

Angel Baby Jon, playmates kayo ni Angel Baby Nate diyan sa heaven ah.. ;)

Liz, my highschool friend sent me a text message on morning in April, "kcat, may leukemia anak ni donnie, please pray for him" I was surprised with the news, I immediately opened my eyes woke up and asked for donnie's number. I texted d Donnie and learned the sad news. :(