Last year, I was a regular 29 year old father to a 4 year old boy who was happy and enjoying with the way things were going on with my life. Until October 2009 when I was diagnosed with brain tumor based on citi scan and MRI results. There was a large mass on the right frontal lobe part of my brain measuring 7.0 X 5.0 X 4.0 cm. I needed to undergo brain surgery. Everyone in my family prayed hard and expected that the tumor was benign, far from being cancerous but it turned out I had brain cancer at grade IV. In medical terms it was Glioblastoma, the most malignant type of brain cancer.
It was a dire strait for me and the rest of thefamily realizing the cost of medical expenses that we need to produce to pay out hospital bills and the money needed to start with my post operation treatment including chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
My family did all the ways and means to gather funds for my medication. They seek help from relatives and friends, applied several loans and asked for donations. They avoided discussing with me our financial incapacity. One time, they got to talked with my project director and it was through him they learned about the Lighthouse Foundation. My wife made an appeal for financial assistance and even met with Ms. Ma. Cecilia de Castro to discuss our situation. It was a big relief for us upon receiving the assistance from Lighthouse Foundation to be able to continue my chemotherapy medication. I was taking the chemo drug orally and the cost of the medication was really huge, more expensive than my hospital bills. My family gathered all the courage that is left on them to pursue and finish all my medications considering the expenses. Sometimes they were just staring blankly to each other how they'll be able to pay everything. We prayed a lot for my recovery, asking the Lord God to guide us to enlighten us towards my full recovery.
With 47 staples on my head, 42 days of radiation, 31 days of Chemotherapy and additional 6 months of chemotherapy, the hours and days seemed so long. My son with all his innocence wasn't aware of how serious was my ailment. He just prayed each night to God to make me well so we could play together again and go back to the malls during weekends. Everytime he asked me to carry him, I can not due to my condition. But he was hopeful and positive I'll be better sooner and even let me presented his medal from school on stage with my bald head due to radiation therapy side effects.
August of 2010, our long time prayers were answered. My latest MRI result showed no traces of tumor anymore or on a more profound investigation perhaps the tumor was too small and unmeasurable to be seen through MRI. My past MRIs would only show an insignificant decrease of the size of the tumor. But this time it was really unexplainable that no traces were found and even the doctor describe the result as "dramatic." It was indeed a miracle and we thanked the Lord above for giving us hope and strength in the darkest moment of our lives. Thank you Lighthouse for being with us, leading our way towards the light at the end of a dark tunnel.
Very truly yours,
Ivan A. Bereber
Letter from Ivan Bereber. Ivan is an engineer. Lighthouse Club Asia pacific Region Benevolent Trust and Manila Branch assisted on his medications.
|
