Cancer.
The term we do not want to hear.
Fifty-five-year old Nilda dela Cerna of Bacoor, Cavite was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer.
Dela Cerna is now confined at the Lung Center in Quezon City.
Dela Cerna has been in the hospital for three weeks now, her niece Joan Morados said in an interview with “Go Malasakit” TV program.
“Marami siyang tubig sa baga, meron siyang stage 4 lung cancer. Patay na po ang asawa niya. Wala siyang anak,” said Morados.
According to Morados, the doctors told her that her aunt is too weak for a chemotherapy.
“Hindi pa siya pwedeng i-therapy kasi mahina pa raw iyong katawan niya. Palakas-lakasin daw po muna,” said Morados.
Morados said that staying in the hospital for three weeks now is a hauling experience.
Joan Morados narrates how her aunt Nilda dela Cerna, who is confined at the the Lung Center, has benefitted from assistance given by the Malasakit Center.
“Sa isang araw noong nandoon pa kami sa E.R. (emergency room), P2,500, minsan P2,600 isang araw lang po sa gamot. Minsan, P2,800 kapag may kasamang syringe,” Morados added.
A friend told Morados that there is a Malasakit Center at the Lung Center and she can ask for financial assistance.
“Umiiyak po pero siyempre may kasamang dasal. Wala naman kaming magagawa. Nagpapasalamat po talaga ako sa Malasakit (Center) kasi talagang nakakalibre na kami ng gamot. Nagpapasalamat po ako kay President (Rodrigo) Duterte at kay Senator Bong Go na siyang nag-ano nito sa Malasakit Center,” Morados said.
The Malasakit Center is a one-stop-shop that intends to simplify the process of giving medical assistance to Filipinos confined in government hospitals.
The “Go Malasakit” TV program is anchored by Assistant Secretary Jonji Gonzales of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas and TV Inquirer host Chona Yu.
The program airs every Thursday from 6p.m. to 7p.m. on Inquirer 990 Television on Channel 16, Channel 18 on ABS-CBN TV Digibox, Channel 9 on RCA, Channel 23 on other digital boxes / terrestrial television in Metro Manila, Metro Cebu and Davao.
It is also available on FB live inquirer.net and Radyo Inquirer 990 am.