LETTERS FROM THE AGNO

Cancer concert (Part 1)
March L. Fianza

Dorcas Tumpao Oakes, a nursing student at the Lorma Nursing School in San Fernando , La Union came home to Pico, La Trinidad, Benguet when she felt pain somewhere in her chest. She was confined right away at the Benguet General Hospital where her liver was found to be infected and she was sick with pneumonia.

For two weeks, twenty-year old Dorcas received treatment at the BeGH, with mother and father spending all savings for her medication. But, her condition turned from bad to worse. Her parents Juliet and Dick had no choice left but to transfer their daughter to another hospital.

At the Pines City Doctors Hospital , it was discovered that she had 4th level melanoma (cancer) that had already spread to the liver, lungs and 5th backbone rib. A mass was also removed from her breast. Her mother Juliet was also treated for cervical cancer last year and is still trying to get back her strength.

Immediately after hearing the bad news, friends of Juliet and Dick brainstormed about helping Dorcas. As most of them are musicians, they decided to sing for her in a benefit folk, country folk and jazz engagement on September 15 and 22 (two Saturdays) at Le Fondue, La Azotea Bldg, Session Rd., Baguio City .

Tickets will be sold at P100 that entitles the holder one beverage drink or a beer. Sponsor tickets at P200 each will entitle the holder two beers or beverages. All ticket sales will go directly to the patient-beneficiary.

Among the musician-artists who volunteered their songs were lawyers Jose “Bubut” Olarte, Angie Cabrera, Fiscal Rolly Vergara, Sarah and Nes Mondok. The “Flights of Fancy” who perform at Brod Pitt and Gilligans, powerful duets Mhia and Mark, and blind guitar virtuoso Miller and jazz vocalist Eileen will be there.

Dick, together with Dorcas’ younger sister Libnah, missing person Sammy Comiles and son Kirby promised to practice a few pieces, while Conrad Marzan’s daughter Soliel will perform a trio with Megan and Poca, the manang of Dorcas. Conrad who migrated to Santa Clara , USA earlier this year, said they will also organize a similar concert there for the benefit of Dorcas.

The other volunteer singers are Northern Philippine Times publisher-editor Alfred Dizon, George Tamaray, Baguio Councilor Richard Carino on his keyboard, La Trinidad Councilor Tommy Chamos, Art Mina, Romy Bakulaw and his Alikabok band; Porky, Mike Santos and Arsen of “Foggy Mountain;” and Le Fondue singers.

“There’s wisdom in the teachings of the old familiar songs, and sorrow in the beating of the old familiar wrongs..” so goes poet-singer Janis Ian. Indeed, many lines in some old songs bring wisdom but at the same time remind us of mistakes that are carelessly repeated. And yes, the recent benefit concerts had been unexciting due to human factors.

Whatever, those errors are never enough to dampen one musician’s spirit to play, especially for the benefit of those in need. The artist’s passion for music is always stronger than anyone’s pitiful schemes, as always. See you at Le Fondue on Sept 15 & 22, 2007 at 730 pm. By the way, for donations and support, please contact Dorcas’ sister Poca at celfon number 09102733058.
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This week’s column is dedicated to all who experienced the “Big C.” I was compelled to look up the internet and download this article due to recent incidents in the past where quite a number of friends left us after battling the “Big C”. The last warrior was Sammy Guerzon. Before him were Romy Bagbagen, Aunt Linda Zafra Hernandez then Manong Willy Cacdac. Hoping this cancer update, the product of researches being shared to us from John Hopkins Hospital , US of A, serves as helpful information for all. Please share the cancer info with all your love ones.

1) Every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer cells do not show up in the standard tests until they have multiplied to a few billion. When doctors tell cancer patients that there are no more cancer cells in their bodies after treatment, it just means the tests are unable to detect the cancer cells because they have not reached the detectable size. Cancer cells occur between 6 to more than 10 times in a person’s lifetime.

2) When the person’s immune system is strong the cancer cells will be destroyed and prevented from multiplying and forming tumors. When a person has cancer it indicates the person has multiple nutritional deficiencies. These could be due to genetic, environmental, food and lifestyle factors.

3) To overcome the multiple nutritional deficiencies, changing diet andincluding supplements will strengthen the immune system. Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidly-growing cancer cells and also destroys rapidly-growing healthy cells in the bone marrow, gastro-intestinal tract etc, and can cause organ damage, like liver, kidneys, heart, lungs etc.

4) Radiation while destroying cancer cells also burns, scars and damages healthy cells, tissues and organs. Initial treatment with chemotherapy and radiation will often reduce tumor size. However prolonged use of chemotherapy and radiation do not result in more tumor destruction.

5) When the body has too much toxic burden from chemotherapy and radiation, the immune system is either compromised or destroyed, hence the person can succumb to various kinds of infections and complications. Chemotherapy and radiation can cause cancer cells to mutate and become resistant and difficult to destroy. Surgery can also cause cancer cells to spread to other sites. – marchfianza777@yahoo.com