They said, "Lupus is the illness of the rich." Now, I understand why they were telling me that.
If you're suffering from Lupus attack, you have to spend a lot of money
just to control the activity of this illness. There's no cure, according
to the doctor. But it can be controlled by suppressing your immune
system's activities through the use of immune-suppressant drugs.
As a Lupus Fighter, I
have to take a lot of medicine in order to normalize the symptoms brought by the
Lupus in my body. And because these immune-suppressant drugs have side-effects, so I have to take medicines and food-supplements that would counter the side-effects.
When I was confined at the hospital last July 2018, the doctor administered to me the Hydrocortisone shots, 1 shot 2 times a day. Hydrocortisone is another corticosteroid in which in a leading pharmacy in Tacloban City, it is priced at PhP1,200.00 per vial.
And since I was at that time at critical state based on the doctor's assessment, Pulse Therapy was administered to me: First, a 3 sessions of Mythelprednisolone Sodium pulse therapy in which we spent at least PhP15,000.00 per session for the drugs being used; And after that, I underwent 6 sessions of Cyclophosphamide pulse therapy which we spent PhP1,000.00 per session for the drugs, and the PhilHealth Insurance paid at least PhP7,000.00 per session for the Oncology Unit, including the professional fee.
Actually, from July 2018 to December 2018, I was given Eposino 6,000iu/syringe shots, 1 shot 2 times a week, to elevate the falling Hemoglobin level of my blood. Eposino 6,000iu/syringe was priced at PhP1,500.00 per syringe, at that time.
Currently, I am taking three (3) immune-suppressant drugs, namely: The Prednisone which is a Corticosteroid; Hydroxychloroquine Sulfate, an Antimalaria medicine; and Mycophenolate Mofetil, an organ-transplant medicine. Besides taking these drugs, I also need to take food supplements like Calcium with Vitamin D, Multi-Vitamins and Amino Acids to deal with the side-effects of these immune-suppressant drugs.
When I was confined at the hospital last July 2018, the doctor administered to me the Hydrocortisone shots, 1 shot 2 times a day. Hydrocortisone is another corticosteroid in which in a leading pharmacy in Tacloban City, it is priced at PhP1,200.00 per vial.
And since I was at that time at critical state based on the doctor's assessment, Pulse Therapy was administered to me: First, a 3 sessions of Mythelprednisolone Sodium pulse therapy in which we spent at least PhP15,000.00 per session for the drugs being used; And after that, I underwent 6 sessions of Cyclophosphamide pulse therapy which we spent PhP1,000.00 per session for the drugs, and the PhilHealth Insurance paid at least PhP7,000.00 per session for the Oncology Unit, including the professional fee.
Actually, from July 2018 to December 2018, I was given Eposino 6,000iu/syringe shots, 1 shot 2 times a week, to elevate the falling Hemoglobin level of my blood. Eposino 6,000iu/syringe was priced at PhP1,500.00 per syringe, at that time.
Currently, I am taking three (3) immune-suppressant drugs, namely: The Prednisone which is a Corticosteroid; Hydroxychloroquine Sulfate, an Antimalaria medicine; and Mycophenolate Mofetil, an organ-transplant medicine. Besides taking these drugs, I also need to take food supplements like Calcium with Vitamin D, Multi-Vitamins and Amino Acids to deal with the side-effects of these immune-suppressant drugs.
Immune-suppressant
drugs, except the Prednisone, are already too expensive for me to
afford. The HCQS which is the most affordable brand of Hydroxychloroquine Sulfate is PhP55.00 per tablet in a leading Pharmacy, and I need to take 1 tablet of it 2 times a day. Mycept, the most affordable brand of Mycophenolate Mofetil, is already PhP86.00 per tablet in a leading Pharmacy, and I need to take 1 tablet 2 times a day. And the food supplements that I need to take too, add up to my
burden.
Thus, I am spending from PhP15,000.00 to PhP50,000.00 a month just to live longer, while my family's net income (the remaining amount after the gross income was deducted by taxes and loan payments) falls below PhP3,000.00 a month.
Thus, I am spending from PhP15,000.00 to PhP50,000.00 a month just to live longer, while my family's net income (the remaining amount after the gross income was deducted by taxes and loan payments) falls below PhP3,000.00 a month.
We really are struggling to find ways to purchase the medicines and shots of drugs that I need to take every day. Actually, by simply considering our situation, I couldn't imagine how I survived the illness until now. I couldn't think of any reasons, except that God is always here at our side, helping me survive. It is true that since July 2018, I have been taking medicines from
the donations that we received. Without those aids given to us, I think I would have been gone already.
So,
I heartily knock the doors of your heart for your kindness and
generosity to help me fight the Lupus that has been attacking me. It
might not be good to beg but I am really hoping, you'll help me survive
this fight.
And to all of you who already have shared your blessings to me, thank you very much for becoming God's instrument in helping me fight Lupus to survive.
And to all of you who already have shared your blessings to me, thank you very much for becoming God's instrument in helping me fight Lupus to survive.
