Let me share to you the story of how we were able to diagnose my Dad's disease and hopefully someone could learn from this experience.
My Dad is is turning 63 this August 25. He is a church minister for the last 19 years at the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, a mainline protestant denomination. Last year, he was transferred from Manila to Quezon City, to minister a UCCP church in Filinvest. He enjoys his new church assignment and loves the people and community around him. My mom also became very active in the life of the local church . All seems doing well until the past few months...
My Dad started to feel discomfort and pain in his lower abdomen. To solve the problem, he consulted a doctor at the Mary Chiles Hospital in Sampaloc, Manila who is a urologist. He was advised that his symptoms are just a result of ordinary constipation with associated urinary tract infection (UTI). After several tests, the doctor just prescribed him several medicines to treat his "UTI" and some liver supplements, which were supposed to be taken for 2 months. I started to cast doubts on the diagnosis and suspected that my dad was instead suffering from hepatitis but he's simply treated for UTI.
But his condition never improved over the last 2 months of medication. On June 22, he went back to see the doctor again and told him he's not getting any better at all. The doctor prescribed him the same medicine and asked him to come back a week after. That day, my mom sent me a text message about what was going on and her worries about my Dad's condition. I asked my mom if my Dad was required to take a complete blood count (CBC) test but the doctor did not require so. I knew right from the start that there was a problem and that my Dad had consulted a wrong physician. He should have gone to a gastrospecialist.
On the same day, while here in New Zealand, I tried to ask help from friends in the Philippines if they know or recommend a gastroenterologist to us. I sent an email to every friend who might have known one whom I can refer my Dad's case to. I just thought that having a referral from someone is better than none at all in getting the right specialist or proper immediate medical attention my Dad deserves.
Desperate of not immediately receiving any answer from emails, I considered calling friends from a number of phonebooks and old records and fortunately, I got the old cellphone number of Bro. William Tolentino, a very close friend of mine in my home church in Mexico, Pampanga. He is a medical representative and I supposed he has a wide network/connection among the medical professionals. In just one dial, I got him over his cellphone. We were fortunate because his uncle, Dr. Oliver Canlas of St. Luke's Medical Center is a gastrospecialist. Right away, Kong William, talked to my Dad and set an appointment with his uncle the following day. Tuesday, June 23, my Dad went over to Dr. Canlas office. He gave him some temporary medicines to relieve his abdominal pain and accordingly required to undertake a series of diagnostic and laboratory tests: CBC, Liver test, X-ray, urine, among others. The following day he undertook those tests and immediately got the results the day after. I could even access the results over the internet because they were available online. It's amazing that health services offered by some diagnostic laboratories in the Philippines are getting better and much quicker than before.
Without any knowledge of any branch of medical sciences, and coming from the social science discipline, I tried to understand every bits and pieces of information from the results of laboratory tests and x-ray. Fond of watching the maverick medical genius "Dr. Gregory House, MD" (performed by British actor Hugh Laurie) on TV, and having the mind of a researcher, I tried to figure out what was going on. Also, by looking on some internet resources, journals, and other medical stuffs, I tried to dig up the meaning of every technical detail written in those laboratory reports. His CBC findings, for instance, suggest the occurence of anemia, while his urine test reveals high urobilinogen which is somehow related to intestinal problems. I tried to map out what are the possible causes of low red blood cells, high white blood cells, and high urobilinogen. What disturbed me most is his x-ray result that suggests possible metastates in the lymph nodes near the lung fields. Based from all of these, I looked at all possible diseases associated with the symptoms and eliminated those that are unlikely. Eventually, I ended up with two possible illnesses: liver dysfunction (that is why his previous doctor gave him vitamins for the liver), or more seriously, a colon cancer. I was really worried and afraid of discovering that the latter is more likely the case. I did not tell anybody at all but kept it inside me. Besides, I am not in the authority to analyze my Dad's condition for being not a medical expert nor had any health and medical science background at all. But right from the start, I suspected that the symptoms of my Dad were actually caused by a much underlying disease which needs serious attention.
Thursday, June 24, after examining the laboratory results, I finally decided to call back my mom to inform her that my Dad's case is serious. It is not a mere abdominal pain or bowel-related problem. I told her that the doctor might be requiring more tests to confirm the laboratory findings, and one of these would be a CT scan. I learned that my Dad is planning though to go next week because he hadn't finsihed yet the initial medicines Dr. Canlas gave him. I pressured my mom to convince my Dad to go back to the doctor as soon as possible considering that diagnostic lab is not connected to the hospital and Dr. Canlas has no physical access on his medical reports.
The following day, June 25, my Dad eventually decided to go back to Saint Luke's Hospital. My initial speculation was indeed true; Dr. Canlas required him to undertake a CT scan of the whole abdomen and later a colonoscopy. Because it's very expensive to do that at St. Luke's, Dr. Canlas endorsed the procedure to be done at a nearby hospital, Delos Santos Medical Center, where he also holds an office. I became more concern at the latter test, because I learned from my readings that colonoscopy is a procedure to find out if there are polyps or tumor in the colon and it can be a way to take sample tissues for biopsy. The procedure is too much costly. Because they do not have the money, and because of my Dad's busy schedule due to an upcoming church anniversary on Sunday (June 28), they decided to postpone it that Friday, June 26.
Again, I insisted that they need to secure an appointment for CT scan immediately. That Saturday, June 27, they went to Delos Santos Medical Center to do so. Before undergoing the procedure, he was advised to prepare his diet and that he needed to pass another laboratory test to check if his kidney, pancreas and other gastrointestinal organs are normal. These are the prerequisites in taking a particular agent/substance that would help in creating a clear CT scan image afterwards.
After sending money to cover up the cost of the above procedures, I inform my parents to proceed right away with the procedure. And after a day of fasting, my Dad had his CT scan done by Monday, June 29. On Thursday, July 2, they got the results but I just learned it the following day. The results revealed a tumor in his rectosigmoid colon, disease in the lymph nodes, and possible metastases in the lung fields. Athough my parents are not so adept with medical terms, my mom was still hopeful that it was not a malignant tumor and and my Dad will not undergo a very costly surgery.
The following day, Saturday, July 4, they went back to Dr. Canlas to refer the findings of the CT scan. The doctor scheduled my Dad for colonoscopy the following Wednesday to fully examine his large intestine and get a sample tissue for biopsy. The doctor also told them if we could ask Bro. William if he could recommend a surgeon and an oncologist. I immediately emailed him then, and fortunately, he knows a surgeon in the person of Dr. Guiab, a Methodist attending the UP Church of the Risen Lord, the church where I also attended when I was studying in UP. He also knows an oncologist but is based in Pampanga. While we were hunting for more specialists on the field, he concomitantly underwent colonoscopy on July 8 and the following day, they consulted Dr. Canlas for feedback. We also decided to refer the case to Dr. Guiab who happens to work also in Saint Luke's. As further consultation went on, my Dad's condition was not getting any better. He had been experiencing constipation, thin and ometimes bloody stool, continuous and unexplainable abdominal pain, vomiting, and pronounced weight loss. Together with the colonoscopy result, these symptoms apparently suggest an obstruction in the bowel and Dr. Guiab concurred that the case is serious and that my Dad must undergo a surgery as soon as possible, otherwise things will get worst, he might be internally poisoned as the tumor was already blocking his bowel passage and will inevitably put him on an emergency situation.
They were then asked to prepare around 150 to 200T. Without having any at that time, they infomed me about their immediate financial need. After sending 50T to them, they were also able to secure a loan from the school owned by the church to suffice the initial amount. With 150T only in their pocket that Friday afternoon, July 10, my Dad was on the go for the surgery. Having coordinated the matter with Dr. Guiab, Bro. William booked my Dad at the hospital for surgical procedure.
The following day, July 11, my Dad was admitted to the hospital. Although the surgery was still set on July 14, he had to stay there for three days for a preparatory protocol. He was put in a dextrose and was only allowed to drink fluids. Since it was weekend, some friends in the church and relatives from Pampanga already took the opportunity to visit him.
July 14, at 8:00 a.m. my Dad was removed from his room and transferred to the operating room. The surgery started at 9:00 a.m. and finished at about 3:30 p.m. My mom was very nervous and had to be accompanied by some relatives. I was praying all the time hoping the surgery would be successful. After the surgery, Dr. Guiab went to my mom to tell her that it was successful, and Daddy did well during the operation. He was then transferred to the recovery room. There was a sign of relief from my mom. At 6:30 p.m. my Dad was transferred back to his room and for the first time after the operation, my mom was able to see him again. Though still weak, he was conscious, could speak in low tone and could recognize things and people. He had all the medical aparatus, dextrose, blood transfusion, etc. injected to him. He could not eat solid foods yet and so he was supplied with milk through the dextrose. Though I was not able to witness his post-operation condition, I could imagine how difficult it is to see a loved one with all those medical apparatuses hanging around him. I thought that pitiful scene could only be seen in TV or movies...
For the next 8 days, Daddy remained in the hospital under the care of nurses, Dr. Guiab, Dr. Canlas and his wife, who stood as his cardiologist, and of course my mom. Sis. Josie Saladino and Ate Alma and Handy, my cousins, and other concerned friends were able to accompany my mom from time to time.
Gradually, my Dad was able to recover. He began to eat soft foods and drink fluids until all the medical aparatus were completely removed from him. Finally, on July 22, at 10:00 a.m., he was discharged from the hospital and sent back home. Thanks to all the support and care of the church and friends around him... Being the only child in the family, I never thought that there would be a lot of people around willing to help us during his hospitalization. Furthermore, how could we ever thank Dr. Canlas enough for offering his time and services almost completely free of charge. We're also fortunate to have availed discounts from professional fees of Dr. Guiab during the surgery.
Although the surgery was over, I had still no knowledge of the biopsy result. I strongly felt that my mom already knew it as she was avoiding my call and did not want to talk about it. I tried to ask her several times with just one question, i.e. whether the tumor is malignant or benign, but she didn't comment until a few days after. I do understand the hugeness of mental distress and emotional pain that my mom is undergoing right now. Later on, she told me about it by email on Saturday, July 25, three days after my Dad was discharged from the hospital. She was in denial and just didn't want my Dad to know about it because he was still in the process of recovery. But then, we need to face the awful reality, the tumor was malignant.
On July 29, my Dad went back to Dr. Guiab for his check-up and removal of stiches from his surgery. Although he had some idea already about the result, it was still obscure to him until Dr. Guiab talked to him for three hours about the dreadful disease he is suffering now . My Dad was diagnosed with colorectal cancer, Stage III-B (T3N1M0). He needs to undergo chemotherapy and the appropriate treatment will be determined in a week time. With much hope through prayers and petitions to God before, during and after the operation, we just hope that this ordeal would be over soon...
The cost of treatment is far more expensive than we can imagine and we do not know where to get the financial resources at this time. Based on our previous inquiry, the chemotherapy would cost roughly 50T to 60 per session, excluding other tests and follow-ups. More than the financial burden that drains us is the fact that it is mentally exhausting and emotionally disturbing to know when one of your loved ones has a life-threatening disease. I thought it was easy to accept or talk about it to somebody else, but I find it really difficult.
My Daddy is now fighting for cancer and I hope he can make it. He is optimistic and so do we.
I thank my wife, Mau for her love and support all through these difficult times. Despite this burden on our shoulders, we are always comforted by God's promise that His strength is sufficient for us. There is nothing impossible for Him for He could heal the sick and empower the poor. He had conqured the world and death.
One of the Gospel songs I love and has become an inspiration to me now as we battle to fight this disease is Don Moen's "God will make a way." I usually play this in the church every Sunday night and sometimes I feel like I want to cry...
Let me then end this story with this song, which I love both in English and Japanese versions.
God Will Make a Way (English)
God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way
By a roadway in the wilderness, He'll lead me
And rivers in the desert will I see
Heaven and earth will fade
But His Word will still remain
He will do something new today
God will make a way,
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way
God Will Make a Way (Japanese)
主は道を日々つくられる
shu wa michi o hibi tsukurareru
何もないように思える時でも
nanimo nai yoni omoeru toki demo
主は御手で身元でささえ
shu wa mite de mimoto de sasae
新しい明日へ 主は道をつくられる
atarashi asu e shu wa michi o tsukurareru
天と地が滅び失せても
ten to chi ga horobi usetemo
主の御言葉は滅びず
shu no mikotoba wa horobizu
荒野に道を 砂漠に川を
arano ni michi o sabaku ni kawa o
今日もつくられる
kyo mo tsukurareru
主は御手で身元でささえ
shu wa mite de mimoto de sasae
新しい明日へ
atarashi asu e
主は道をつくられる
shu wa michi o tsukurareru
More than anything else, we need your prayers. We sincerely ask your support and continuous prayers for my Dad in his fight against cancer... hoping that God will make a way. God bless you!
Brandon Vista
30 July 2009
Dunedin, New Zealand
