HELP Lourdes go home to the Philippines, fight Leukemia and get Bone Marrow Transplant

Last October 2019, our friend Maria Lourdes Padua Edioma was diagnosed with right triple negative breast cancer. She underwent a series of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy for more than a year where she used up all of her insurance claims. Just this March 2021, she was finally cleared from breast cancer. She was able to go back to work as a healthcare frontliner, a Pharmacy Technician in one of the hospitals here in Singapore where she has been employed since April 2010.

But just as she was trying to continue living life like she used to, she suddenly had sore throat and rashes. She went to A&E last July 3, 2021 to have herself checked. Her blood test showed that she has very high white blood cell (WBC) count so she was admitted right away.

On July 7, 2021, the doctors confirmed that Lourdes has high risk Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) likely due to previous treatment from breast cancer. She was also found to have lung infection. The fluid in her lungs causes difficulty of breathing so she was temporarily put on oxygen support. The antibiotics given to her so far does not seem to work well, so doctors are still waiting for the results of the culture and sensitivity report so she can be given the right antibiotics and be cleared from the infection. Only then can she start having her chemotherapy sessions for AML.

The estimated cost of chemotherapy is around $50,000/cycle. She will need a total of 3-4 cyles and a bone marrow transplant which will cost around $200,000.

In this time of sickness, Lourdes wants to be with her family whom she know can love and care for her the most. Her husband was with her here in Singapore last year but was no longer able to extend his stay and had to go home to Cebu last April. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, he is having difficulty going back here.

Lourdes prefers to start chemotherapy in the Philippines since she does not know how bad the side effects can get, and if she will be able to handle everything alone here in Singapore. More importantly, she also wants to be able to spend time with her loved ones.

Considering her current condition, she will not be allowed to go home in a commercial flight. She was told that she will have to wait until she is more stable before traveling. If her condition does not improve soon, however, she was advised that the only way she can go home is via air ambulance. She needs to be assisted by doctors and nurses and be fully monitored for the full duration of the travel to ensure that she gets home safely. The estimated cost of the air ambulance is around 50,000-70,000 USD. We have included this in the goal amount, but if she won't be needing it (which hopefully will be the case), she may still use it for other treatments she may need since all we know of so far are estimated amounts. She may also have to travel via air ambulance from Cebu to Manila in case the bone marrow transplant will be done there.

Lourdes really wants to go home as soon as possible, and we her friends want to help make it happen so she can be with her family. We are trying our very best to support her, but COVID-19 restrictions also make it hard for us to look after her at all times. She can only be visited by one person during the whole hospital stay, for only 20 minutes a day.

With this, we are knocking on your hearts for any amount you can give. Lourdes will surely have more strength to fight this disease if she is with her loved ones. May we all be extensions of God's love for her during this difficult time. Your help will go a long way. Your contribution, whatever amount it may be, can save her life.

Thank you very much and may God bless your generous hearts.

"Let us not be weary in doing good for we will reap in due season if we don't give up."

Galatians 6:9

UPDATE:

Culture and sensitivity report came out last July 10, and it was found to be fungal infection. Lourdes is currently on antifungal antibiotics and is now off oxygen support. If her condition continues to get better, she may hopefully be allowed to take a commercial flight home soon.