Finding hope, grace amid challenges
- Ma. Genella Flores
- 11 hours ago
- 2 min read
Patient Stories Series
(No. 45)
George C. Lee-Chuy, 63, was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) in 2013. At the time of his diagnosis, George and his family were overwhelmed with fear, believing that leukemia was an inevitable death sentence. However, today, George is cancer-free and has been in remission for over 10 years.
Before his diagnosis, he lived a fast-paced life—partying, smoking, and rarely sleeping. Following a sudden collapse, he was eventually diagnosed with AML at St. Luke’s Medical Center. His sister, Dra. Elizabeth Lee-Chuy, recalls the family's desperate search for hope, treatment references, and success stories during those initial, frantic days.
George’s road to recovery was grueling, involving eight chemotherapy sessions and numerous transfusions. He endured severe side effects, including sepsis and shingles. Elizabeth remembers the heartbreak of watching George suffer through two years of treatment, yet even in his darkest moments, the family felt a sense of divine grace.
Despite the physical and financial toll of the disease, George found himself surrounded by support. He was offered opportunities for cutting-edge treatments and received constant encouragement from friends and pharmaceutical agencies alike. The Lee-Chuy family maintains that while financial resources were necessary, it was faith and tenacity that truly saw him through.
As of January 2024, his medical reports show no signs of cancer, with healthy blood counts across the board. While the fear of recurrence occasionally lingers, he chooses to focus on the life he has reclaimed. He now enjoys simple pleasures like playing basketball, and spending time with his loved ones.
George’s message to others facing a cancer diagnosis is direct: Accept the challenge, pool your resources, and never stop seeking hope. (By Ma. Genella P. Flores)
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
As a non-stock, non-profit organization, the EPCALM Foundation relies on your support to assist individuals living with adult leukemia and their families. Your generosity makes a significant difference in their lives as they navigate this disease. Through your kindness, we can provide the essential resources they need to begin rebuilding.
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*Kindly send us a copy of your Deposit Slip via Viber at 0905 928 9896.
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