SURMIEDA
UPON RETIREMENT, Francisco Surmieda was enjoying spending more time with his three grandchildren in Imus City, Cavite province, when he was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).
Commonly known as skin cancer, the disease comes from being exposed to the sun for years and can occur in any part of the body, including the inside of the mouth, lips or even in the genitals.
In the case of the 73-year-old Surmieda, the cancer affected his tongue, making it difficult for him to talk, swallow or even eat.
“It has also affected his relationship with his grandchildren. They miss him. These past few months, the children have not seen him because he is always in the hospital,” said his daughter-in-law Jhudith Peñaflor. She is married to Surmieda’s son, Arthur, who has five other siblings.
She told the Inquirer that her father-in-law was having second thoughts about undergoing an operation because they do not have P48,700, the surgery cost quoted by doctors at UP-Philippine General Hospital.
“But he relented after a lot of convincing from all of us. We believe that God will provide,” Peñaflor said.
Jhudith Peñaflor can be reached at 0927-7241214. Those who want to donate money for Surmieda’s operation can deposit any amount in the BPI account of his son, Franklin Surmieda, with account no. 1959196059. Santiago R. Alcantara