Sarah Moral – Prayers Can Move Mountains

Prayers Can Move Mountains

It has been almost 2 months since I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. I thought ok, cancer, chemo, endure the effects of chemo then I will be fine. I never thought that the battle would be this difficult. After being admitted for almost 3 weeks in the hospital for Septicemia (bacteria in the blood) and Pneumonia I thought I would just have hospital visits during my chemotherapy. The day after my second chemotherapy (which was given to me as out patient), I had difficulty of breathing and fever.

To make the long story short I had to be re-admitted last July 20, 2011 to undergo emergency chest tube insertion for massive pneumothorax (my right lung collapsed). I had that tube inside my chest and was connected to a bottle with a pump to suck out the air for almost 1 month (27 days to be exact). I was told that there is an air leak in my lungs and I was given 3 options: 1. Surgery (open thoracotomy to clip the leak), 2. Pleurodesis (some chemical will be injected in my lungs) or 3. Just keep the tube and wait. I chose the 3rd option.

My reason was, I faithfully believe that the leak will close spontaneously without any intervention because every night I was praying fervently to God to make a miracle for me. I prayed to Him to close the leak permanently. I even imagine Him doing surgery to my lungs and sealing the leak. Indeed, prayers can move mountains. Last August 9, 2011 the air leak stopped. Multiple nodules were also found in my left lung so I had to undergo lung biopsy. They are fungus infecting my lungs. Somehow I am thankful that it is not malignancy. But these fungus cause me to have slight difficulty of breathing and my doctors had to stop my chemotherapy for the meantime to address my infection. Anti-fungal medicines are also really expensive.

I am praying to God again to make another miracle for me. Please help me pray that I will be able to fight this infection as soon as possible so I can resume my treatment for my Leukemia. After 4 cycles of chemotherapy (induction phase), my repeat bone marrow biopsy showed remission (state of absence of disease activity) which is a blessing that I am most thankful for. My chemotherapy has to be continued otherwise leukemia might relapse. But I am keeping my faith that I am already healed.

My family and I would like to thank all of you for your generosity. Words are not enough to express our gratitude. Thank you for organizing fund raising activities to help me in my hospitalization and treatment. As much as I want to email/text you personally, you are too many! I never thought that there are a lot of people who care for me and who want me to live longer. You lift my spirit. We will win this battle.

Dr. Sarah Moral, single, 32 years old, is a diplomate of the Philippine Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.