Papa

On February 23, I received a long distance call from Davao. It was my mom and she sounded distraught and distressed. Papa (Pastor Ed), she said, has a medical emergency. His MRI result was not good. He underwent the procedure due to pains in his extremities and immobility of his neck. The doctor told my mom that Pa has an abscess in the spine along the neck area as well as a cyst. He needed immediate hospitalization for fear that the infection might spread and pose risks. Right there and then, I advised my mom to get the next flight to Manila and have Papa hospitalized here. We thought it would be better because the whole family would be here to support them.

Papa was subjected to a diagnostic surgery on February 26 which lasted for two hours. The doctors made an incision through the neck to be able to get to where the lesion is near the spine. The doctor said that the normal size of a spine disc is 7mm. Papa’s was only 3mm. This was due to the infection. His C6 (the affected disc near the neck) is now very soft and further surgery is not recommended. The protective fluid around this disc has been extremely depleted and almost gone, resulting in extreme pain for Papa. While a normal bone should be smooth, Papa’s affected disc in the spine was very porous. The tissue around this area was very red and inflamed. The doctor took samples of the bone and the tissue for biopsy. The results of this test would be out in 5 days. The areas above and below the affected disc are arthritic and irreversible but can be delayed. Papa would have to undergo rehabilitation to delay the arthritis and strengthen his neck muscles to help support and protect the spine. The doctor said, Pa can go home on Friday or Saturday. My parents will stay with my sister in Alabang.

We are thankful for his doctors, Dr. Racelis and Dr. Saniel. We also thank God for friends like r. Rica Lumague, Dr. Marie Lim, Dr. Bojic Tiambeng and Dr. Teody Baldonado who are helping us to fully understand Papa’s condition.

We thank all of you who are with us in prayers. These are not easy times for us especially because Papa has always been the strong one. It is difficult to see him slowed down by sickness. But we know that God is sovereign. Please continue to pray for him and our family.

Thank you and may we all learn to care for our bodies, the temple of the Holy Spirit.

Grace (for the whole family)