rogrogrog

[rogrogrog]

“Doc, kumakalat na siya [the cancer is spreading].”

My patient with breast cancer stage 4 softly uttered these words, tired and with weaning hope. She was admitted for difficulty of breathing. The imaging of the chest showed her right lung was surrounded by septated fluid. We tried removing the fluid, but proved to be harder than we initially thought. The pleural tube has not drained the fluid due to its viscosity, hence, she is still experiencing difficulty of breathing.

It is her 50th birthday today. She didnt specifically tell me but the Red Ribbon box on the gray table at the corner of the room struck me. The candle was still inside the plastic bag still not lit. Will she still blow that candle despite her current condition?

I greeted her with a happy birthday trying to uplift her weary spirit. I myself am slowly losing my hope when I visit her room as he condition seems to be declining by the day. I wish I had better news.

Praying for her today on her 50th birthday for healing. Still, I remain hopeful.

June 27, 2025

Picture taken in Baguio last April 2025

[rogrogrog]

Umaasa sa liwanag na dula ng bukas.

June 24, 2025/ QC PH

[rogrogrog]

Fight, fight until you find some hope and light.

Sapa, Vietnam / May 2025

[rogrogrog]

"How do we define cure? In the world of thoracic oncology, most would define it as disease-free status at five years." 

--Praying for all my cancer patients fighting their unsung battles

[rogrogrog]

Sa bawa’t paggising, ang pag-asa’y lumalalim.

Sapa, Vietnam / May 2025

[rogrogrog]

Running era. 😎

[rogrogrog]

Touchdown, Vietnam.

May 7, 2025

[rogrogrog]

The fruits of healing. ❤️

-from a patient with lung Cancer

May 2, 2025 / QC

[rogrogrog]

Life is incredibly short and fleeting.

This I learned from my cancer patients. Fill your days with hope.

April 27, 2025 / NLEX

[rogrogrog]

Touchdown, Baguio.

April 26, 2025 / Baguio

[rogrogrog]

Get lost until you’re found.

Tokyo/Feb. 2025

[rogrogrog]

Holy Week.

April 18, 2025/ QC

[rogrogrog]

On her latest scan, my young patient with lymphoma, a cancer with high cure rates, has no evidence of disease. Her course was rough -- she presented with blockage of the superior vena cava. She has now given birth to a new child. Praying for her continued healing.

[rogrogrog]

Sunsets remind us how blessed we are to be able to receive the gift of tomorrow.

March 15, 2025 / Pangasinan

[rogrogrog]

Remembering my lolo today as he bid us goodbye. I was in Tokyo last friday for a short vacation thinking he was already stable after being hospitalized for almost three weeks for severe heart failure and pneumonia. It was evident that he was was already suffering when he was reintubated. Less than 48 hours upon arrival, I rebooked my flight back to Manila. The last few breathing hours were peaceful.

I will never forget my lolo as the one taught me how to drive along the highways and biways of Pangasinan.

May you now rest in peace. Send my warmest hugs to my lola, tita and my dad on this 5th of March.

Til we meet again,

Tokyo / Feb. 28, 2025

[rogrogrog]

Remembering one of my dear patients today. He was a man in his early 60s diagnosed with cancer of the tonsils. He finished radiotherapy and chemotherapy just a week prior. I was hoping for cure albeit he had an advanced disease.

He then came to the ER with decrease in cognition. His white blood cells were down and he suffered from pneumonia.

I asked the family that at any given time, he might need the help of a ventilator. The family was serene and melancholic telling me that when we has still alive, he already told the family he did not want any intubation and mechanical ventilator. He told then he already reached that age when he was already fulfilled— all his children have already graduated from college.

I was on the verge of tears as the wife narrated this to me. It is very rare that I meet people ready enough to face death and accept it whole heartedly.

Praying for my dear patient who fought a good fight and may he be an angel to all our cancer warriors.

Feb. 26, 2025 / QC

[rogrogrog]

Praying for better days. 🙏

Feb. 17, 2025 / QC