SURVIVING SARCOMA – Maria’s Battle Against Cancer

  • ₱15,382
    raised of ₱100,000.00 goal goal
15% Funded
16 Donors
Raised offline: ₱5,000.00
Total: ₱20,382.00

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Hi everyone! I'm Maria, a single mother with two young kids. In June 2016, my world crumbled when I was diagnosed with Stage II Undiffirentiated Spindle Cell Sarcoma-Right Thigh, A Localized Soft Tissue Cancer. Due to financial constraints during the time of my diagnosis, I wasn't able to start treatment right away. Still, I scraped what I could, to get the treatment that I could afford. I had my first surgery in July 2016 to remove the tumor and was advised to undergo Radiotherapy. Sadly, I wasn't able to have Radiotherapy because of financial and family issues.

Devastatingly, in October the same year, the tumor recurred and I was strongly advised to continue the treatment and have Radiotherapy, to at least shrink the tumor before undergoing another surgery to remove the recurrent tumor and avoid the possibility of amputation. In the course of my Radiotherapy, Doctors found out that it has spread to my inguinal lymph nodes and more distant sites, and so they categorized it as a Regional Sarcoma, sadly with a lesser survival rate. My Doctors re-evaluated the grade of the tumor and other factors, and tests have shown that my cancer is now in Stage III. After 3 months of Radiotherapy, which started from January 2017 to March 2017, I was told that the treatment didn't do what it was supposed to do and the prognosis wasn't good. With the change of the Cancer stage and the result of the previous treatment plan which was less successful, we have to, according to the Doctors modify the treatment plan.

June of 2017, we did our last resort to survive which is for me to have another surgery. A crucial step if I want to beat this thing! The surgery will then be followed by aggressive Chemotherapy as part of the new treatment plan. A PET scan was ordered by my Oncologist which is critical in planning the course of Chemotherapy. The surgery was done to remove the recurrent tumor through a wide mass resection and doctors had discussed possible hip disarticulation or amputation of my right femur. Luckily the Doctors were able to save my leg, though a big mass of my muscles in the right leg is already gone, I am still blessed. I was in a wheelchair for 3 months, on crutches for 2 months and under Orthopedic Rehabilitation for 3 months. I am already categorized as a Person with Disability due to my Orthopedic Disability. I may not be able to run, jump or skip, but what's important is I can still walk, not normally and faster as I used to, but being able to take a step is a big win for me.

After my Orthopedic Rehabilitation, I was about to take the next step, which is Chemotherapy. After months of trying to save money, and with the help of donations and drive, I was able to have my PET scan done in April of 2018. The results were good and I was declared NED (No Evidence of Disease). With this result, we canceled Chemotherapy but I will still be under strict monitoring. Every 3 months, I need to go back with my Oncologist which ordered quarterly CT scans for my right thigh, whole abdomen, and chest as part of monitoring whether the cancer is spreading throughout the body. This is necessary so that we can administer definitive management for my cancer as needed. These 3 scans cost around 50,000 pesos which I'll be incurring every 3 months.

I have acquired too much debt for all the treatment and scans I did to fight this beast. I wasn't able to afford 50,000 pesos scans every quarter.

2 years passed, July 2020, when I had this extreme pain in my back, so extreme to the extent that I wasn't able to get up in the bed without crying in pain. Scared of what could happen, I went to my Ortho and Oncologist. Both ordered multiple scans and laboratory tests to analyze my body's condition and to determine if the cancer is back. Their initial physical diagnosis is a possible recurrence and metastasis, which can only be verified once all the scans and tests are done. I was given medication for pain management for now until the tests and scans are not completed. For the money I had, I started with the laboratory tests which show indications of Bone Cancer / OsteoSarcoma. Now I need to complete all the scans so we can rule and start a treatment plan. Below is the list of all the scans I need to have.

-Thigh X-ray

-Pelvis AP View

-Lumbosacral Spine X-Ray

-CT Scan Chest

-CT Scan Whole Abdomen

-MRI Right Thigh

-Total Body Bone Scan


All these scans cost around 70,000 pesos.

Despite feeling defeated, I need to keep fighting. Not only for myself but more importantly for my children! This fundraising is to support the funding for the said diagnostics scans in preparation for my future treatment.

I would like to ask your generous hearts for any amount you can donate in support of my battle against Cancer. My heart will be eternally grateful to everyone who will help. Thank you in advance and God bless!

***FOR THOSE WHO DON'T HAVE A PAYPAL ACCOUNT, You can send your donation directly to my Local Bank. Account details below. Thank You!

Account Name: Maria Corazon Ramirez

Account Number:

BPI - 9809 1832 86

BDO - 0114 4012 2219

Metrobank - 2723 2724 33845

Gcash - 09175026523

Paymaya - 09176106644

Organizer

  • Maria Corazon Ramirez
  •  
  • Campaign Owner

Donors

  • Anna Crampatanta
  • Donated on Jun 29, 2017
  • Stay strong.

₱1000.00
  • Anonymous
  • Donated on Jun 28, 2017
Amount Hidden
  • Ana Cecilia Ingco
  • Donated on Jun 15, 2017
  • God will send you His angels to fight for you. He will give you strength and perseverance. Your unconditional love for your children will be honored by our Almighty God.

Amount Hidden
May 18

Status as of May 18, 2017

Update posted by Maria Corazon Ramirez at 02:04 pm

Status as of May 18, 2017These are the tests needed for my medical clearance before I can have the surgery. Today, I had Xray and ECG. Tomorrow I'll have blood extraction for some tests like creatinine, urinalysis etc. Thanks for your donation, I was able to have this tests. :)Status. . . . .

See update
0

Donors & Comments

16 donors
  • Anna Crampatanta
  • Donated on Jun 29, 2017
  • Stay strong.

₱1000.00
  • Anonymous
  • Donated on Jun 28, 2017
Amount Hidden
  • Ana Cecilia Ingco
  • Donated on Jun 15, 2017
  • God will send you His angels to fight for you. He will give you strength and perseverance. Your unconditional love for your children will be honored by our Almighty God.

Amount Hidden
  • Anonymous
  • Donated on Jun 10, 2017
  • Hello! I'm a freelancer like you too and I have my own share of health issues. I shared your battle with our community of freelancers. Praying you beat the disease! Stay strong!

Amount Hidden
  • Anonymous
  • Donated on May 18, 2017
  • Papa Jesus please heal Maria in her battle against cancer. We believe in your miracles and please bless Maria to heal fast. May other people be kind and help her as well. Amen.

Amount Hidden
  • Anonymous
  • Donated on May 17, 2017
  • Hi Maria, I don't know what to say to you but please fight this battle for your children. God bless.

₱500.00
  • Anonymous
  • Donated on May 17, 2017
Amount Hidden
  • Anonymous
  • Donated on May 17, 2017
Amount Hidden
  • Karen Nguyen
  • Donated on May 17, 2017
  • Get well soon!

₱912.00
  • Anonymous
  • Donated on May 17, 2017
Amount Hidden
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Followers

7 followers
Cecile Antonio
john francis calma
Lachelle Enverga
Belai Bongalon
Mayshell Magale
Monica Macaraeg
Paulina Jose
₱15,382
raised of ₱100,000.00 goal
15% Funded
16 Donors
Raised offline: ₱5,000.00
Total: ₱20,382.00

No more donations are being accepted at this time. Please contact the campaign owner if you would like to discuss further funding opportunities

Help this ongoing fundraising campaign by making a donation and spreading the word.

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