Good evening, everyone!

Ate Maricar had a good couple of days since our last update. After her ventilator was removed, she was able to breathe on her own until she was only aided by a nasal cannula. Even her NGT tube was also removed and she was able to take soup and some juice.

Unfortunately, last Thursday, Nov 1, she again had difficulty breathing, and her BP dropped as well as her oxygen sat so doctors decided to re-insert her breathing tube so she can again be aided by a ventilator to breathe. Her NGT has also been reinserted to help in her feeding. We are thankful 'though that Ate Maricar is still responding to meds to bring her blood pressure up. It goes up sometimes but still normalizes. Her urine output also went down yesterday but she is also responding well to the meds. The hot flashes are still being managed by ice cold sponge baths by her private nurse, Ellen, and family and friends who take turns looking after Ate Maricar.

Another bad news is she has not been able to proceed with the radiation treatment because it requires lying still for more than 10 minutes, which Ate Marie cannot do. Doctors say that with radiation (but without chemo), it would make the tumors stop growing and give her about 3 to 4 months. But without radiation even, there is no guarantee anymore. :(

Despite all the tubes back, Ate Maricar is still sharp as ever, even jokes sometimes with the messages she writes on her white board. I had a chance to visit tonight and she would write ideas about school, research, and lots of kwentos! We wish she can just talk so we can hear all about what her beautiful mind has to say.

Ellen still tirelessly takes care of whatever it is that her big sister needs, from buying ice tubes for the sponge baths, putting Kool Fever pads on Ate's forehead, flexing Ate's arms and legs so they can be moved. Please pray for Ellen's good health too because it hasn't been easy, and yet she continues to be very, very strong for Ate Maricar.

We would like to again say thank you to those who have sent over additional financial support. We hope that there will be more to come and we thank you in advance. Please continue to pray for Ate Marie's comfort, and peace. Appreciate all the love and prayers for the Samson sisters, please keep them coming!

Thank you and God bless you all!