By Dr. Valeria Calbi | Project Leader, St Mary's Hospital Lacor, Uganda
Philip was nearly 5 years old when he was brought to our hospital in June of 2011. Since his birth, he has lived in a hut with his parents, two brothers and a sister. Both of his parents are peasant farmers and were never able to complete basic primary school education. During the rainy season in 2011, Philip began to have swelling in his abdomen. This only began a few weeks before he came to St Mary’s Hospital. During this time, his abdominal swelling increased in size very quickly. By the time he was brought to our hospital by his mother, he had many large masses of tumor throughout his abdomen. He was also very weak and almost unable to walk. A biopsy was performed promptly which determined that he had Burkitt lymphoma. Therefore, chemotherapy was started promptly along with intensive supportive care due to the extent of his disease. Thankfully, he responded very well to treatment.
His mother understood that Philip’s Burkitt lymphoma could be fatal if he did not complete all planned treatment. She struggled, but managed to bring him on time for all of his planned treatment. Meanwhile, Philip’s father continued to work hard in the farming fields in order to sustain the entire family. In spite of having support for the costs of treatment, Philip’s mother – like other parents with children undergoing cancer treatment on our ward – had to find “day” work nearby the hospital in order to be able to have food for both of them. It is not uncommon or unusual that most parents of children undergoing cancer treatment on our ward need to find day work. And, they take turns looking after other parents’ children so that these parents can work, too.
Philip recently came back to see us at St Mary’s Hospital. He is 9 years old now. He is in excellent health and cured of his lymphoma. He has grown like a normal child. He is doing well in school, too. When he is not at school, he helps his parents to look after their vegetable garden so that they have enough to eat. His mother is very proud of him – because he is healthy, doing well in school and taking on family responsibilities – including looking after his little sister.
Donations such as the ones made by the many donors to this project have supported treatment costs, which, in turn have alleviated a large financial burden on parents such as Philip's. Thanks to all who have given and to those who continue to give their support for this project!
By Valeria Calbi | Project Leader, St Mary's Hospital Lacor, Uganda
By Dr. Valeria Calbi | Hematologist, Project Leader at St Mary's Hospital
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