Son appeals for help in ma’s battle against cancer
>> Tuesday, July 30, 2013
By Ramon Dacawi
BAGUIO CITY -- Cancer patient Adelaida del Prado sits on her
hospital bed, a Heimlich tube connected to her chest, her back resting on the
white wall of the adult cancer ward of the Baguio General Hospital and Medical
Center.
It’s Thursday afternoon, and Dexter, her 18-year old son, arrives
from knocking on doors. He returns to watch over his 54-year old single parent
trying to fight the big C, diagnosed last February as “moderately
differentiated adenocarcinoma”.
She has been confined since then. As of last Thursday, her bills, including
doctors’ fees, have jacked up to P203,687.69, with her Philhealth credits
already deducted.
Dexter said she had her first chemotherapy last April 14 but failed to
undergo subsequent treatment cycles because of the prohibitive costs.
The treatment protocol was for six chemo sessions at P27,050 per cycle.
Because of her deteriorating condition, a Heimlich valve was installed
in her chest to drain air and fluid from around the lung.
“I was a working student but had to stop to take care of my
mother,” Dexter said on the way back to Adelaida’s ward.
He was due for second year in business administration at the University
of Baguio.
“I guess we have no choice but to appeal through the media and hope
Samaritans among readers would reach out to us,” he said.
“(Adelaida) worked as a production operator at PEZA for 15 years up to
the time she became ill,” noted social worker Nelly Ayochok in her case study
report. “At present , with her finances drained, she is dependent on her sister
who solicits for her hospital bills and other treatments.”
Before her hospitalization, the patient and her son were staying
with her sister Maritess Zarate and nephew Michael Zarate in
a house owned by a relative at 23-C New Lucban, Baguio.
Those who can and would like to help may contact Adelaida through her
cellphone (09202363958) or Dexter (09354191882). They may visit the patient at
the third floor of the Flavier Building of the BGHMC.
0 comments:
Post a Comment