Marian San Mateo’s fight against Pleural Effusion and Cancer

Forgive me for the long narrative. But please, let an only child share to you, his mother’s story of willingness to overcome her illness.

Marian Habana San Mateo, known most to her family and friends as Nean, maybe small for her size, but one with the biggest heart and the sweetest smile. A mother of an only son, she was one to never smoke, drink alcoholic drinks, and always try to be fit through group exercise and daily activities. No one would ever suspect she has been battling her inner demons, as she tends to put others before her and never let anyone feel pain and suffering, besides her. To date, she has been battling breast cancer for almost 2 years, since December 2015. This was on top of her Diabetes (diagnosed 2009) and Psoriasis (diagnosed 2006)

She has endured her IV chemotherapy and results were looking good. However, around last week of August this year, 2016, she was rushed to the hospital due to difficulty in breathing – something that she never experienced before. She was then rushed off to the emergency room in one of the near hospitals in Makati. The news was heartbreaking – she was suffering from Malignant Pleural Effusion. She had water in her left lung.

She had to be admitted in the hospital for an operation to remove the water in her lung. She had also undergone Pleurodesis, as to avoid the re-occurrence of the pleural effusion. This already took a toll in our family, both emotionally and financially. But we managed.

However, fastforward to October 13, 2016. While at home on her oxygen support, her oxygen level dropped to 20, the lowest ever. We had to rush her to the emergency room once again. The pleural effusion had appeared once again. She was on oxygen mask support the first 2 nights. However, things turned from bad to worse – she had a Cardiac Arrest, early morning of October 14, 2016. She was being resuscitated. The doctors talked to me about preparing for whatever might happen. I was not ready. It was probably the first time I ever cried since my mom was diagnosed with cancer. I always said I had to be strong - for her, for my dad, for us three. But seeing her being revived, I wasn’t able to hold my tears back. But a miracle – she was revived after 18 minutes, 8 minutes longer than the expected recovery time. She was then hooked to a mechanical ventilator and was in a state of coma. The day was full of grief. Family and friends had rushed when they heard the news. It was painful to see her like that.

I had to go back home at night so I can recover from the day. I bid my mom goodbye for a few hours and that I will be coming back. I was uneasy when I got home. I almost fell asleep. But something kept telling to go back to the hospital. I trusted my guts and rushed to prepare. When I was outside, waiting for a ride to the hospital, my dad sent me an SMS. My mom was awake. Tears shed as I was standing on the street. A miracle. A second chance. She wasn’t giving up that easy.

Moving forward from that Friday, she has been on ventilator support as her difficulty in breathing – on top of the cancer – still persists. But my mom wouldn’t let any illness get in her way to recovering and going back to her usual self - a mom, a Psoriasis advocate, a friend and a big sister to those who need help.

Right now, our family is in dire need of financial assistance, as the hospital bill is increasing as we have been in the hospital since October 13, 2016. We can’t take her home yet as her breathing hasn’t normalize yet and is still on ventilator support. Her battle with cancer and the lung complication had exhausted my family’s source of funds.

I am now humbly asking you, friends and relatives alike, for your prayers and support during our family’s trying time – to raise the fund to cover my mom’s medical bills. Any amount will be very much appreciated. You may also help by simply sharing this page on any social media or including her in your prayers. My family appreciates you taking the time to read her story. God bless us all.

How to Donate:

1. Click the 'Donate Now' button and follow the instructions. You may either use PayPal or your credit card or bank account.

2. You may also deposit your donations to this bank account:

BPI (not Family Savings) Savings Account

Account Name: Symon Rei H. San Mateo

Account Number: 4039-1173-26

If you have questions, feel free to contact the following people:

Symon Rei H. San Mateo (Marian’s son and Fundraising Manager) - 09999997966; [email protected] or [email protected];

Reynaldo O. San Mateo (Marian’s husband) - 09491723795;

Thelma Habana (Marian’s sister) - 09771513013;