Patient Stories Series
(No. 18)
Growing up as the eldest in a family of eight children in Barangay San Miguel, Ramon, in the province of Isabela was not easy for Lorena T. Abalos. She worked at an early age as a domestic helper to help her parents make ends meet. While she finished secondary school, she was unable to move forward with her college education largely due to the family’s financial hardship.
Hoping to find greener pastures abroad in 2017, Lorena tried to process her pre-employment requirements, starting with a medical examination at a government hospital in Quezon City. However, initial symptoms of a blood disorder were discovered – swollen thighs, headaches, sleep disorder, bruising and abnormal white blood cell counts. A bone marrow biopsy (BMB) led to a grim diagnosis – chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML).
A single mother, Lorena, 37, faced another stumbling block in her life. While she takes care of her son, now in Grade V, she now has to confront her own health issues, and come to terms with her illness at the same time. She experienced emotional pain, anxiety; her sleep pattern became more erratic.
Fighting her medical battle with a dogged determination, she surrendered her life to God. Everything else seemed to fall into place afterward, as she sought to balance her personal and family responsibilities. Her family provided the much-needed moral support and guidance
They gave her emotional and spiritual assistance during trying moments in her leukemia journey. They remained hopeful about her prognosis, and actively contributed to her care and well-being, despite financial constraints and logistical difficulties.
Lorena spends her days taking care of their home, doing household chores, and helping her son with his schoolwork. She also helps her parents with farming and selling vegetables. They enjoy having meals, and attend church together every Sunday at the San Roque Parish Church in Roman town.
She is happy to have met other CML patients like her at the Cancer Institute of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), where she often seeks medical attention. Likewise, she is grateful for being serviced by the EPCALM Foundation. She says she does not feel excluded; instead, she added that she feels a sense of belongingness. She always looks forward to attending the activities at The EPCALM House in Quezon City for group huddles, emotional support and spiritual encouragement.
Her challenges in life notwithstanding, Lorena looks forwarded with hope, as she navigates her leukemia journey with a strong support system of family, friends and community. (By Ralph Vale Joshua I. Solidum)
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
As a non-stock, non-profit organization, EPCALM Foundation needs your support for us to help our brothers and sisters who are living with adult leukemia, as well as their families. You can make a difference in their lives as they journey through the disease. Through your genuine act of kindness, we can provide them much-needed resources as they start rebuilding their lives.
To donate, you can either use PayPal (if you have a PayPal account) or you may use your debit/ credit card. Thank you very much!
Click this link to Donate:
BPI- St. Luke’s QC Branch:
Account Name – EPCALM Adult Leukemia Foundation of the Philippines
Savings Account No. – 3893 0612 57
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