My father was diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon Cancer last year. Unfortunately, he died 2 weeks after, at the age of 60. Through this post, I aim to share vital information about this dreaded disease, cancer symptoms and somehow help people spread awareness.
The first time the symptoms of this disease manifested was 2 years ago. He went to see a doctor because of blood in his stool. Due to incomplete diagnostic tests performed, he was incorrectly diagnosed with Ulcer. He was under medications for ulcer and felt relief. All the while we think it was just ulcer then.
Few months after (October 2011), he was rushed to the hospital due to severe stomach pain. An X-ray revealed gut obstruction. We were advised to have him undergo colonoscopy and endoscopy to see the exact position of the obstruction before the operation can be performed. Part of colonoscopy prep, he was advised to take phosposoda. A couple of hours after he felt relief. According to my dad, he felt the obstruction gone, as if it has been flushed out because of the medicine he took. Since we are having difficulty financially, our family decided to observe my dad and put off the procedure.
He felt fine until a year after (June 2013). He gradually felt weak and gets tired easily. A few weeks after he’s into intermittent fever and stomach pain. We’ve been to several doctors but he never felt better since then. His stool is now pencil-thin, and there’s blood in his stool again, based on his occult blood test. Doctors had him on ulcer medication and ferrous sulfate supplement to increase his red blood cells. As the disease progressed, he became restless, with frequent hallucinations. Despite the medicines, he never felt the same again. His RBC count dropped to an alarming level of 67. He needed blood transfusion immediately and was rushed to the hospital.
After a series of tests (X-Ray, ultrasound, AFP), his doctor explained the nodules found in his liver. His doctor suspected a cancer cells metastasized to his liver. His lungs also show some abnormalities. Gastroscopy or Colonoscopy procedure should confirm this. But the hospital where he was confined does not have the said procedures.
I searched for the cheapest colonoscopy rate available in metro manila. He underwent colonoscopy procedure in Healthway Alabang (ATC). The quoted package rate for the procedure is around 12k (sedated operation) for Senior citizen patients with Philhealth.
The procedure confirmed our biggest fears. The gastrologist showed me the 5cm mass in his large intestine. His dropping RBC is caused by the bleeding mass. Colonic Carcinoma, doctor said it was 99% stage 4 colon cancer and does not need biopsy. It started probably 10 years ago. Sadly, diseases like this manifest itself on the terminal stages. We were advised to have him undergo colostomy. Though this will not treat the cancer, it will somehow improve the quality of his life. The attending doctors of the hospital where we brought him (Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center) advised against it though, Colostomy being a major operation, and my Dad is getting weaker as days go by. They said he might not make it through the operation. As agreed by the family, we decided to take care of him at home. 2 weeks after, My dad said goodbye.
Though the doctors said no one can be blamed as these things are bound to happen anyway, I realized how important colonoscopy is as we reach the age of 40. Not the most comfortable medical procedure but it might save you. I had my dad undergo an overall checkup when he is 52. Unfortunately, we missed the colonoscopy procedure.
Through this painful journey, I thanked people who helped us, most of them were strangers. Our gastrologist who took off Php2000 from his professional fee after he broke the sad news, and contacted his fellow gastrologist to accommodate us in JPMMC. To the cardiologist who issued clearance for my dad- He was so kind to charge Php500 (consultation fee rate) instead of Php1500(med clearance rate). To the driver of the van we rented – for bringing us from Cavite to Alabang to Manila. For accepting the small amount of money we can only offer, an amount which can never be commensurate to the effort of bringing us to the hospital. To the kind cab driver who brought me home safely at wee hours of the morning from the hospital. To our family, relatives and friends, May God bless your kind hearts.
To my Dad – I miss you. Thanks for everything. Thanks for the last hug. Thanks for being my Dad.
The first time the symptoms of this disease manifested was 2 years ago. He went to see a doctor because of blood in his stool. Due to incomplete diagnostic tests performed, he was incorrectly diagnosed with Ulcer. He was under medications for ulcer and felt relief. All the while we think it was just ulcer then.
Few months after (October 2011), he was rushed to the hospital due to severe stomach pain. An X-ray revealed gut obstruction. We were advised to have him undergo colonoscopy and endoscopy to see the exact position of the obstruction before the operation can be performed. Part of colonoscopy prep, he was advised to take phosposoda. A couple of hours after he felt relief. According to my dad, he felt the obstruction gone, as if it has been flushed out because of the medicine he took. Since we are having difficulty financially, our family decided to observe my dad and put off the procedure.
After a series of tests (X-Ray, ultrasound, AFP), his doctor explained the nodules found in his liver. His doctor suspected a cancer cells metastasized to his liver. His lungs also show some abnormalities. Gastroscopy or Colonoscopy procedure should confirm this. But the hospital where he was confined does not have the said procedures.
I searched for the cheapest colonoscopy rate available in metro manila. He underwent colonoscopy procedure in Healthway Alabang (ATC). The quoted package rate for the procedure is around 12k (sedated operation) for Senior citizen patients with Philhealth.
The procedure confirmed our biggest fears. The gastrologist showed me the 5cm mass in his large intestine. His dropping RBC is caused by the bleeding mass. Colonic Carcinoma, doctor said it was 99% stage 4 colon cancer and does not need biopsy. It started probably 10 years ago. Sadly, diseases like this manifest itself on the terminal stages. We were advised to have him undergo colostomy. Though this will not treat the cancer, it will somehow improve the quality of his life. The attending doctors of the hospital where we brought him (Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center) advised against it though, Colostomy being a major operation, and my Dad is getting weaker as days go by. They said he might not make it through the operation. As agreed by the family, we decided to take care of him at home. 2 weeks after, My dad said goodbye.
Though the doctors said no one can be blamed as these things are bound to happen anyway, I realized how important colonoscopy is as we reach the age of 40. Not the most comfortable medical procedure but it might save you. I had my dad undergo an overall checkup when he is 52. Unfortunately, we missed the colonoscopy procedure.
Through this painful journey, I thanked people who helped us, most of them were strangers. Our gastrologist who took off Php2000 from his professional fee after he broke the sad news, and contacted his fellow gastrologist to accommodate us in JPMMC. To the cardiologist who issued clearance for my dad- He was so kind to charge Php500 (consultation fee rate) instead of Php1500(med clearance rate). To the driver of the van we rented – for bringing us from Cavite to Alabang to Manila. For accepting the small amount of money we can only offer, an amount which can never be commensurate to the effort of bringing us to the hospital. To the kind cab driver who brought me home safely at wee hours of the morning from the hospital. To our family, relatives and friends, May God bless your kind hearts.
To my Dad – I miss you. Thanks for everything. Thanks for the last hug. Thanks for being my Dad.
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