Save My Leg, Save My Life! Help Me Battle Neurofibromatosis, A Rare Condition. On My 13th Tumor Surgery

• I would like to request for any financial help for my 13th tumor surgery due to Neurofibromatosis, a rare and no cure disease. The approximate cost of the surgery is P300,000.00 (Equivalent to 6000USD). This will take care the surgery, blood transfusion, implant, hospitalization, treatment and therapy.

Paypal with e-mail address : [email protected]

BDO Peso Savings Account No. 005880324355 with Account Name: Sarah T. Gonzales and cp. no. 09171037277.

BDO USDollar Account No. 110190004142

Note: If sending or donating through the BDO account pls notify me so that it will be added manually to my gogetfunding account for recording and transparency purposes.

Thank you. Godbless you.

Please allow me to share my story, where in a “diagnosis that became a life- changing wake up call".

• MY JOURNEY WITH NEUROFIBROMATOSIS

I am Sarah Gonzales, 42 years old, married and a blessed mother of two beautiful and loving children. I was diagnosed with NF 1 when I was 9 years old.

In the dictionary, neurofibromatosis is defined as Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a multisystem genetic disorder that is characterized by cutaneous findings, most notably café-au-lait spots and axillary freckling, by skeletal dysplasia’s, and by the growth of both benign and malignant nervous system tumors, most notably benign neurofibromas.

If there are no complications, the life expectancy of people with NF is almost normal. With the right education, people with NF can live a “normal” but a challenging life with the presence of prolonged chronic pain, intense suffering and emotional agony.

Up to date, I’ve already undergone 12 major operations on my left leg. From which, I had two (2) malignant and the rest were benign. Every surgery they remove 2 to 3 kilos of tumor every 2-3 years of my life. It is a very hard, emotionally draining and really a painful struggle not only for me but also for my family. Whenever I have MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) the radiologist would give me a drawing of a body outline and would ask me to shade which part of my body that I can feel pain. Well to their surprise (always) I would shade almost everything. Aside from the recurrent tumor I have learned challenges and intellectual deficiency such as short-term memory, following task instruction, trouble in remembering names, difficulty in reading comprehension and language. I tend to experience blurred vision, loss of balance, and scoliosis that causes too much pain. The most painful part of having this disorder is knowing that NF has no cure.

Last 2014, my leg was totally deformed. It was the most challenging part of having NF. My life turned 360 degrees change. Adjusting to life with a disability is a difficult transformation. From active lifestyle to coming out as disabled. It even got the point where in I need to use assistive cane.

I secured my PWD ID (Person with Disability Identification Card) from our City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWD) here at the Municipal Hall of Tarlac City and tagged as Differently Abled Person. I need to undergo pain management therapy regularly. In Embracing my disability, I went through different stages. I feel like dying every day. My self-esteem dropped. Emotional distress. Whenever I meet old friends and acquaintances, as much as possible I would avoid them to refrain them from asking too many questions about my disability, I felt ashamed, depressed, anxious and fearful of what the future may bring having this rare genetic disorder. It is true that sickness can bring us into all kinds of temptations – impatience, unrest, anxiety, complaining, etc.

I am about to face another challenge in my journey wit NF – My 13th operation. Some people would say “You are already used to it”. But the truth is no one get used of needles, scalpels and body staplers. Surgeries have a risk of death. Fear of pain.

As I combat with this disability, my relationship with our creator has strengthened. The faith I have for Him right now is the source of my strength as well as the love and support given by my family, friends and support group.

I know, with God’s healing power and saving grace, I will be able to surpass this challenge in life I ‘am m battling with. For my faith and hope is strong that God has never forsaken and abandoned me during the darkest day of my life. We have a God who hears our prayers and is mighty to heal.