Jeremaiah Asher Sabado
MANILA, Philippines — It took eight years for Mylene Sabado and her husband to finally have a baby. But two weeks after Jeremaiah Asher was born on Nov. 5, 2019, he developed a cough.
At a hospital in Pampanga, the doctor said Maiah had pneumonia based on X-ray results and ordered his confinement for 10 days. But when the spot in the baby’s lung believed to be phlegm didn’t clear up despite medication, he was brought to another hospital.
A CT scan later showed the spot was a spinal tumor that was close to Maiah’s lungs, heart and airway. A pulmonologist referred the baby and his parents to Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC) in Quezon City where another doctor recommended surgery to remove the tumor.
“But we didn’t have any money for the operation so after a biopsy, he was placed under monitoring. Every week, we would go to PCMC for a checkup until we decided to move to Quezon City to make it easier for Maiah to seek treatment,” Sabado told the Inquirer.
In March 2020, the boy was just 4 months old when he started undergoing chemotherapy to shrink the tumor.
However, the pandemic and changing quarantine classifications, on top of the lack of money, have delayed their son’s treatment, Sabado said. So far, Maiah has undergone only five of six recommended chemotherapy sessions, each one costing P128,209.60. The family has relied on donations to pay for their son’s treatment.
In July this year, the tumor shrunk enough, allowing its removal through surgery. But an MRI taken before the procedure showed that another one had grown on the left side of the boy’s spine.
“It’s still small but the doctor said it is close to a big vein. We were advised to continue chemotherapy,” Sabado said. His next one is scheduled on Nov. 7.
Maiah also underwent another operation last month, this time for posterior urethral valves blocking his bladder flow that left him prone to urinary tract infections. His ailments have delayed his development, leaving him unable to walk by himself.
Despite the health challenges faced by her son, Sabado remains grateful to God for giving Maiah to her and her husband. “He’s a blessing to us. Not once have I ever questioned the Lord about the trials we face. I think God is testing us to make us stronger.”
With the help of Inquirer readers, Baby Maiah can have hope and a future. Sabado can be reached at 0930-8811810. Donations can be deposited in her BDO account (Mylene Santos Sabado, account no. 007400174255).