Janelle’s Journey To Conquer Cancer

Janelle, or Naning as she is affectionately called by family, is a beautiful, bright, bodacious woman who is naturally high-spirited, with a really lively laughter that can brighten up anyone’s day. Career-wise, she is a very dedicated grade-school teacher, who is a permanent at Bauang North Central School as Master Teacher 1. At home, she is a devoted wife and a doting mom to her three kids, two boys aged 19 and 17, and a little girl aged 3.

Janelle started feeling unwell in early August 2023. She was experiencing bone pain, rapid weight loss, loss of appetite, fatigue and weakness. On the tenth of August, she decided to go to the hospital for a workup. With her previous history of anemia, hyperthyroidism and GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease), and based on her current symptoms, she was immediately admitted to Lorma Hospital. The workup revealed Stage 5 Renal Disease with an enlarged heart, lung and kidney infections and alarmingly low hemoglobin count.

The doctors suspected something more. She underwent various procedures like ECGs and CT scans to find out what exactly was happening, and a bone marrow sample was extracted on August 16th for further testing.

On August 30th, she officially received a diagnosis of Multiple myeloma.

According to Mayoclinic.org, Multiple myeloma is a cancer that forms in a type of white blood cell called a plasma cell. Healthy plasma cells help fight infections by making proteins called antibodies, which in turn, find and attack germs. In multiple myeloma, cancerous plasma cells build up in the bone marrow. The bone marrow is the soft matter inside the bones, which is where blood cells are made. In the bone marrow, the cancer cells crowd out healthy blood cells. Rather than make helpful antibodies, the cancer cells make proteins that don't work right. This leads to complications of the condition.

She has since undergone several blood transfusions, and is on dialysis treatment every other day, all the while taking several expensive medications, powerful painkillers, IV fluids and receiving oxygen support. She is very weak and requires constant assistance to move around. Getting her to eat is an everyday struggle. She has lost an estimated 30 lbs. just this past month.

As of today, the treatment protocol is to undergo plasmapheresis, a procedure done with a very specialized equipment that is designed to, in general terms, remove and/or replace her blood plasma. Region 1 has only 1 machine available at ITRMC, but at the time of writing (9th of September), it is still out of order. The doctors are strongly suggesting that she be moved to Metro Manila to begin such treatment the soonest possible time. After plasmapheresis, she will then proceed to chemotherapy.

Jhunard, Janelle’s husband, is with her now, but he has to return to Dubai for his employment in two weeks. Her three kids are all well - as well as they can be in this situation - and are trying to live their normal day to day as students, as 2 teenagers and a toddler. It is for them that our dearest Janelle is holding on each day, fighting with all her best, and with every ounce of strength she has left.

As of the moment, we have shared all that we know about her condition. We have not yet received her full medical report, so, as far as a generalized summary goes, here we are.

She has just been discharged from Lorma Hospital on September 8th and she is now admitted in the isolation unit of ITRMC. Options are still being explored for the logistics of her plasmapheresis treatment.

At the time of discharge from Lorma hospital, her bill was at around Php750,000.

As such, Janelle’s family has started a Facebook page to provide updates, to garner support from her beloved community (She is reading your well wishes! She may or may not respond or interact with you for now, but she is reading them and is ever thankful), and to organize fundraisers to help ease the financial burden that this disease has brought upon her family. The link to the facebook support page is: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=6155071285...

For now, in addition to prayers and warm, uplifting vibes, we knock on your generous hearts and humbly ask for financial donations you can spare for Janelle’s family. Any amount is very much welcome, and is truly, greatly appreciated.

Aside from this GoGetFunding campaign, other modes of donation are:

1. Thru GCash: Jasmin G. Millan, 09190097331

2. Thru BDO: Jhunard A. Graycochea , Savings Account # 008610253401

3. Thru Paypal: [email protected]

We reiterate that these are the ONLY AUTHORIZED modes of donation (in addition to cash donations which are always very much welcome). We urge everyone to practice precaution, and give us a heads up as well, if someone else or some other pages are trying to request for donations for Janelle or on her family’s behalf.

Thank you so much everyone. For taking time to read, for the well-wishes and prayers. We will update you all with any information as it becomes available.