LOVE FOR DOLORES

DOLORES “DOLLY” VALENZUELA, 67 y/o, former Math and Science teacher and mother of 2, was diagnosed with Advanced Stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma (Liver Cancer) with Decompensated Liver Cirrhosis. She needs to undergo chemotherapy to decrease the possibility of cancer to affect more organs of her body.

August 21, 2021 - Dolly was admitted in the Emergency Room due to increasing heart rate, jaundice (yellow eyes) and prominent bulging of tummy. She was initially treated with diuretics and PPI. Ultrasound revealed Ascites (fluid in abdomen) Liver cirrhosis with splenomegaly. Hospital Admission was advised.

August 24, 2021 - Dolly’s children were tested Positive for COVID. Hence, the delay in the hospital admission of their Mom due to isolation procedures.

She was then referred to a Gastro/Hepatologist via Teleconsult to manage her condition at Home. That time, she’s very sleepy (difficult to awaken), episodes of hallucinations and significant increase in heart rate was noted. The doctor is considering Hepatic Encephalopathy (complication of Liver Cirrhosis). Oral medications were given to alleviate the symptoms.

September 11, 2021 - she was admitted in Capitol Medical Center to do the whole lab work up and imaging tests. CT scan revealed the above-mentioned diagnosis and there’s a significant elevation of Alpha Feto Protein - tumor marker specific for Liver Cancer.

Mama Dolly was discharged and home medications were prescribed. As of the moment, she is taking plenty of drugs (high dose antibiotics, anti hypertensives, anti diabetic, diuretics, potassium sparing, stool softeners, liver protectant, beta blockers for varices from cirrhosis, amino acid supplementation). These are being used to support the physiologic and pathologic changes in her body.

The approach is to prepare the liver and her body for future chemotherapy sessions hoping cancer cells will respond to systemic treatment.

Liver transplant is not an option in this case since adjacent lymphadenopathy is present (possible metastasis). Liver biopsy also is not an option as it will only tigger activity of the tumor - 2 major and 3 small nodules were noted. Systemic treatment via chemotherapy is the option to suppress the cancer cells present and since we have already entered the Palliative and Supportive Care.

The oral Chemotherapy which is called Lenvatinib (Lenvima) would cost around 70-80k in Philippine Peso per month. Chemotherapy infused via IV is also an option but not all patients are candidate of this treatment approach. This would cause around 200k per cycle of chemo. The amount indicated doesn't include routine laboratory and imaging tests.

The planned treatment is too expensive for a small family like ours and we need your support to help us fight with Mama. We, her children, believe that Mama became a role model for most of her students, friends and single parent friends. She is a survivor of many events in her life, she didn’t even know how her parents look like, working while studying, the triumph of finishing as a Chem Engineering Scholar, the major accident she had 10 years ago, the debilitating effect of being an amputee - these are proof that our wonderful Mom here is really a survivor. Asking for your good heart to help her survive this phase in her life.

For more information, you may send us a message thru Facebook Messenger (Allan Valenzuela or Dolly Valenzuela). You can call or text us via Viber at +639178524002.

You can also send your Love for Dolores via:

Account name: Frederick Allan Valenzuela

BDO Unibank Acct : 005440219081

BPI Family Savings Acct : 005446-1484-91

Thank You and may God Bless your Good Heart.