EPISODE #007 – Sheryn Lysa
DIAGNOSIS: Mixed Malignant Germ Cell Tumor Stage IV
BACKGROUND:
Sheryn was born on September 3, 2016 in Balanga Bataan. She is a member of the GAAF KIDS Birthday Club, and she will receive a P1,000 cash gift from GAAF on her birthday.
In August 2017, nearing her first birthday, she was diagnosed with Mixed Malignant Germ Cell Tumor Stage IV at Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC). The tumor was located on the tailbone. A series of tests including a CT scan and MRI showed that the cancer had already spread in the lungs. She was due for surgery and then chemotherapy but when a neurosurgeon was consulted, he advised not to operate on the tumor for risk of damaging the spine. Immediately, aggressive chemotherapy was then administered the next month.
Unfortunately, in 2018, after a year of treatment, the doctor concluded that the chemotherapy was not working and Sheryn was sent home with palliative care. She was determined terminally ill and was estimated to have 3 to 5 months to live. Sheryn was born a fighter. Her tolerance for pain is high even as a baby. She was able to handle the IV Chemotherapy and all the painful tests at the hospital. She can tolerate most pains except when her swollen abdomen is in severe pain. Her mom would place an ice pack, but it would still make her cry which would last up to 5 hours.
Sheryn’s mom was also a fighter and would not give up on her. When Sheryn was sent home to palliative care, she started researching on how to beat cancer naturally. She believes that a change of lifestyle would make a big impact on Sheryn’s healing. She also watches videos online about herbal healing. She stopped giving unhealthy fast food to Sheryn and instead served all green leafy vegetables and fruits. Sheryn’s favorite meal is alukbati with fish & tomato. She eats one green apple every day, which keeps the doctor away, as the saying goes.
Luckily, after a year of lifestyle changes, Sheryn’s condition dramatically improved. The tumor had shrunk and she now miraculously moves around as if she did not have cancer at all. She just continues her oral chemo of Etoposide once a day for a 21-day cycle.
Since the Covid breakout in 2020, all check-ups at PCMC were done through teleconsultation every 3 months. This saved Sheryn and Mom a lot of time from traveling 3 hours from Bataan to PCMC in Quezon City, and they avoided standing in line as early as 3:00 am in order to be seen by the doctor.
During the recent July teleconsultation with the PCMC doctor, they were not able to get an appointment for a CT scan and MRI to confirm if Sheryn is completely free from cancer. Nevertheless, they are hoping that at the next appointment in November 2023, they will successfully get those tests.
Sheryn gets financial aid of P5,000 every 3 months from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). And yet, just the oral chemo vials alone cost P7,119 every month. This is when the family struggles with how to sustain the medical needs of Sheryn plus how to make both ends meet for their 3 other children.
Her mom started a home business selling snacks & other food products online to help financially. She makes assorted peanuts, peanut butter, banana chips, fish chips & Sampaloc candies. Her dad works as a security guard and makes only P14,000 a month. Fortunately, Sheryn received a one-time P7,000 Guarantee Letter from a politician which was a tremendous help. This involves a tedious process where medical abstracts and other records are submitted to the office of the politician for approval for aid. The Guarantee Letter can be used to redeem medicines, medical supplies,
laboratory tests, MRI, and milk at PCMC.
With an uplifted spirit, Sheryn is excited to enter Grade 2 as she returns to school on August 29th.