Facing tomorrow with love and hope
- EPCALM
- Jul 10
- 2 min read
Patient Stories Series
(No. 21)
Cristy T. Frias used to work in a firm, which provides telecommunication equipment. She has been married to Carlos for 20 years now; they have been blessed with seven children. The elder two, having their own families, live separately from them in Barangay San Roque, Antipolo City in Rizal Province.
Their happy family life was, however, dealt a sad blow when Cristy was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) in March 2019. Things seemed to spiral down from there – she had a mild stroke, which affected her vision.
Unemployed, owing to her physical and health condition, Cristy experienced bouts of uncertainty and anxiety. She suffers from involuntary muscle spasms. Finances were low. They could not bring her to a doctor in Manila for appropriate medical intervention. Life was dim.
But Carlos rose to the challenge of being the designated primary caregiver of his wife. Daily, from 4 a.m. to 6 p.m., he would be the hands-on caregiver. The younger children would take turns looking after their mother when Carlos would start work as a tricycle driver from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. the next day. The family juggles their responsibilities around this schedule, day and day out. Such commitment and dedication could only be summed up in one word – love.
To break the monotony of their daily life, Carlos would sometimes bring Cristy to town in his tricycle, to while the time away. Perhaps, this was their way of reminding themselves that while they are facing a difficult, challenge stage, life should continue.
To Carlos, he looks forward to the day when his wife would be well again.
“Cristy is a fighter,” he said. And with strong love binding the family together, they can truly weather all the odds. This is their fervent hope and prayer. (By Jelyn A. Levantino)
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
As a non-stock, non-profit organization, EPCALM Foundation needs your support for us to help our brothers and sisters who are living with adult leukemia, as well as their families. You can make a difference in their lives as they journey through the disease. Through your genuine act of kindness, we can provide them much-needed resources as they start rebuilding their lives.
To donate, you can either use PayPal (if you have a PayPal account) or you may use your debit/ credit card. Thank you very much!
Click this link to Donate:
BPI- St. Luke’s QC Branch:
Account Name – EPCALM Adult Leukemia Foundation of the Philippines
Savings Account No. – 3893 0612 57
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