by: krh
Since the time Katseye was diagnosed with cancer, Katseye felt the stress. Stress on the possibility of death, stress on the financial burden ahead, and stress on what this will bring to her daughter, Andree.
Katseye often vomits. She is not sure if this is because of cancer or simply because of stress. Her vomiting caught Andree’s attention and led the little girl asking “Mommy why vomit?”. Katseye replied, “Mommy is sick baby”.
Of course Andree never thought it to be terminal. She was just thinking mommy has flu or had a lot to eat for lunch.
But this misconception must be clarified, as Katseye decided. Andree needs to know the real deal to prepare her for the changes in the next couple of months.
Katseye had a heart to heart talk with her little girl and told her that mommy is: very sick; will need to go to the hospital often; and will also lose her hair (because of chemo). The losing of hair bothered Andree, who wouldn’t?
Since that conversation, Andree showed emotional changes. When Katseye would vomit, Andree would cry and shout “No mommy don’t vomit”, as if trying to stop cancer. She also has nightmares every night. When Katseye asked what the nightmares were about, Andree replied “Mommy monsters are getting you”. Andree is right, the monsters are getting her mommy. The monstrous cancer is getting Katseye.
With all the fears Andree showed in the first few days, she immediately bounced back and gave her mommy the strength Katseye needs. When Andree caught her mommy in tears, Andree asked, “Mommy are you crying?”. Katseye lied and said “No!”. Then Andree said not believing the lie, “Mom don’t cry ha, you have to be strong for me.”
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
Save Andree’s Mom
by: krh
Four years. Is this enough time for a little girl to spend with her mother? Not at all.
Andree, a four year old girl, is unknowingly faced with this threat. Andree might actually lose her mother, Katrisha Ann Garcia-Reantazo (only 30 years old), to cancer.
Just last September 10, 2009, Katrisha or “Katseye” as friends and family call her was confirmed to have Lymphoma - any of various malignant tumors that arise in the lymph nodes or in other lymphoid tissue.. What started out as a leg pain on March 2009 was never thought to be the first installment to a much bigger and terminal condition - that is cancer.
Katseye is already showing aggressive signs of this condition: she finds herself breathless after a short 5-minute walk; her left leg is stiff, painful, and filled with blood clots; her lymph nodes on her jaw, armpit, and abdomen are swollen and evident. And these are just some manifestations seen from the exterior. What more is happening inside Katseye’s unsuspecting body?
Today, 6 months from the first symptom, Katseye is said to be on the latter stages of Lymphoma – stage 3. Quite fast and quite hard to process. Chemotherapy, as soon as today, is the way to go as her doctors suggest. This is her path for longer life. And we, her family, friends, acquaintances, and perhaps whoever has the heart, are her only hope.
Katseye’s family CANNOT shoulder the expenses of what cancer will bring, especially now that she had to stop working. Her husband is just earning enough from his data-entry job to sustain the family’s daily needs. Katseye’s father is suffering from brain tumor. Her step mother, on the other hand, has colon cancer stage 4. And her brother just had a kidney transplant.
If it were only upto Katseye (minus her family, friends, and minus Andree), she is willing to face death. But what about the little girl she will leave behind. “Pano na si Andree?”, as Katseye sobbingly asked. “kelangan niya pa ko”, she added.
Andree needs more time with her mother. Andree needs her mother’s comforting embrace when she feels her first heartache. Andree needs her mom to clap for her in every achievement she receives. Andree needs her mom to say a word or two when she makes mistakes. Andree needs her mom.
We, the friends and family of Katseye appeal to your humble heart to save Katseye and to keep Andree with a mother. Any type of support you give will be greatly appreciated. Let’s save Katseye. Let’s save Andree’s mom.
Immediate Medical Need
Date and Time
Hospital
Specialist
Treatment
Cost
Sept. 24, 2009
Lourdes Hospital, Mandaluyong City
Dr. Laura Pedraza
Chemo Therapy
P150,000
Contact Details:
Contact Person: Theresa Vialu
Mobile: 09209059688
Email: theresa_vialu@yahoo.com
Bank Details:
Katrisha Ann G. Reantazo
BDO Savings Account No. 5630155165
Four years. Is this enough time for a little girl to spend with her mother? Not at all.
Andree, a four year old girl, is unknowingly faced with this threat. Andree might actually lose her mother, Katrisha Ann Garcia-Reantazo (only 30 years old), to cancer.
Just last September 10, 2009, Katrisha or “Katseye” as friends and family call her was confirmed to have Lymphoma - any of various malignant tumors that arise in the lymph nodes or in other lymphoid tissue.. What started out as a leg pain on March 2009 was never thought to be the first installment to a much bigger and terminal condition - that is cancer.
Katseye is already showing aggressive signs of this condition: she finds herself breathless after a short 5-minute walk; her left leg is stiff, painful, and filled with blood clots; her lymph nodes on her jaw, armpit, and abdomen are swollen and evident. And these are just some manifestations seen from the exterior. What more is happening inside Katseye’s unsuspecting body?
Today, 6 months from the first symptom, Katseye is said to be on the latter stages of Lymphoma – stage 3. Quite fast and quite hard to process. Chemotherapy, as soon as today, is the way to go as her doctors suggest. This is her path for longer life. And we, her family, friends, acquaintances, and perhaps whoever has the heart, are her only hope.
Katseye’s family CANNOT shoulder the expenses of what cancer will bring, especially now that she had to stop working. Her husband is just earning enough from his data-entry job to sustain the family’s daily needs. Katseye’s father is suffering from brain tumor. Her step mother, on the other hand, has colon cancer stage 4. And her brother just had a kidney transplant.
If it were only upto Katseye (minus her family, friends, and minus Andree), she is willing to face death. But what about the little girl she will leave behind. “Pano na si Andree?”, as Katseye sobbingly asked. “kelangan niya pa ko”, she added.
Andree needs more time with her mother. Andree needs her mother’s comforting embrace when she feels her first heartache. Andree needs her mom to clap for her in every achievement she receives. Andree needs her mom to say a word or two when she makes mistakes. Andree needs her mom.
We, the friends and family of Katseye appeal to your humble heart to save Katseye and to keep Andree with a mother. Any type of support you give will be greatly appreciated. Let’s save Katseye. Let’s save Andree’s mom.
Immediate Medical Need
Date and Time
Hospital
Specialist
Treatment
Cost
Sept. 24, 2009
Lourdes Hospital, Mandaluyong City
Dr. Laura Pedraza
Chemo Therapy
P150,000
Contact Details:
Contact Person: Theresa Vialu
Mobile: 09209059688
Email: theresa_vialu@yahoo.com
Bank Details:
Katrisha Ann G. Reantazo
BDO Savings Account No. 5630155165
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