I arrived in California in the evening of March 16. The following day Daddie,
hubby Noel and daughter Paris, and Aida visited me. Aida spent the night with
me. On Sunday morning I was set to leave for Chicago. I was at  LAX from 8:30
a.m. (I was on standby list) waiting for space availability in American
Airlines which fly to O'Hare every two hours. I finally boarded at 1:45 a.m.
Monday.

Jojo and Kuya Ruds fetched me at the airport. I still feel groggy after a
very long nap.
Tomorrow I have an appointment with a doctor and see if I can avail of public
aid for my eye treatment. Kuya Ruds gave me some materials on the new macular
sugery technique which he researched on the internet. We have to check if I
am a candidate to this type of surgery, if I need one. The procedure is done
only in Alabama at the moment. On Friday, I am scheduled to see a retina
specialist in Chicago.

I'll be based in Champaign, about two hours drive from Chicago, where my
sister-in-law lives. Her phone number is (217) 356-4897.

I am very comfortable here with Jojo and Kuya Ruds. We're looking at the New
York reunion photos and those taken by Kuya Ruds during our coral anniversary.

I'm gathering strength, with your prayers, for my forthcoming medical
check-up. As I've told Ana, I have been the star for quite sometime now.

Again, thank you for everything you have been doing for me. Your concern and
support give me courage. I will get in touch with you as soon as there.s new
development.

Love,
Loida

words are not enought to express my gratitude for all the support you have
been pouring on me - your prayers, encouraging messages, researches, and
financial assistance - in my battle against two major illnesses. i am
indeed fortunate to have crossed paths with caring and compassionate people
whose friendship can never be tarnished by time nor distance.

the brain tumor radiosurgery went smoothly. my head still feels a little
numb because of the local anesthesia. i was injected twice on the left and
right sides of the forehead and the lower back of the head before the frame
was screwed on my head. i'll have an mri after a year to determine the
shrinkage of the 'burnt' lesion.

i still need your prayers because i am now fighting the other ailment that
gives me much discomfort and depression. my left eye has an epimacular
membrane [one doctor says 'cellophane maculopathy'] and a pseudomacular
hole that make me very dizzy as soon as i wake up. my left eye sees wavy
lines. the objects and the ground appear uneven - sa kaliwang mata, parang
malapit pero sa kanan, medyo malayo. minsan para akong naduduling. the left
eyelid feels heavy. at the end of the day, both eyelids are swollen and my
head aches.

my eye problem has terribly affected my daily activities because i have
difficulty moving about. i am in constant worry and fear that my life will
no longer be back to normal because the only rememdy, which is surgery, is
very risky. one ophthalmologist said that no doctor in the philippines will
opereate on me because of my 20/25 vision.

i am trying alternative treatments. a chinese doctor prescribed herbal
medicines to increase blood circulation in the eyes. i tried accupuncture
once. i also visit weekly a lady physician who does the 'magnetic touch
healing'. she lightly touvhes several body parts with the middle and index
fingers of both ahnds to activate the body's ability to heal itself.

i consulted dr. tolentino [andy's eye doctor], a retina specialist from
boston who comes to the philippines thrice a year. he suggested that i try
a lens that will blur the vision on the left eye so that the wavy lines
will not be so visible.

i have read the articles kuya ruds and delay sent. the FILMS [fluid
internal limiting membrance separation] technique developed recently in
alabama is easier and safer, according to the article. because this is a
new method, the surgery is done only in birmingham at present. if this is a
more promising solution, then i'll take the risk. ling, please ask your
brother richie what he thinks about FILMs. my friends in the US, if you
have read some feedback on this procedure or have ophthalmologist
acquaintances you could inquire from, pleae let me know.

of course i seek the help of the greatest doctor above...

to all of you my scholmates and friends, thank you so much. please
continue praying for me.

loida

Ngayon lang ako nakasulat ulit... tuwang-tuwa ako at nagpapasalamat na again,
talagang mahal tayo ni Lord Jesus.  Binabantayan Niya tayo at inaalagaan.
Tinawagan ko at nagkausap kami ni Loida sometime last week (hindi ko na
matandaan) at nagkamustahan ...detalya at plano naman niya para sa eye
problem niya.  I think she is planning of coming here for her eye treatment
.. nagoffer daw si Aida ng kanyang place.  I told her to just let us know
here and if I, we can offer our support and help here, she can count on us.
Tinanong niya kung malamig pa dito at kung kailan medyo iinit.

Well, so long for now.... magluluto pa ako ng dinner.  Talk to you soon!
Kita tayo sa Niagara???

Love,
ressie

at nagbigay pa ng pangalan ng prep 61 EENT na na-meet sa UP Prep Grand Reunion:
Rosalita 'Its' Tan-Vizconde tel 524-7119 at PGH

----------------------------------------

At eto rin ang message ni Abet:

Baka maka-katulong ito for Loida ... the current PGH Director (Dr. Juan
Nanagas ... an eye specialist also) is a very good friend of mine (Kumpare
pa).  Perhaps a consultation with him can smooth things out for Loida.
Kumusta na lang.

Abet

valedictorian and head of the eye department at the PGH . About the
diagnosed epimacular membrane and pseudo macular hole in her left eye.

Ini-refer siya sa retina specialist na si Dr. Milagros Arroyo, pupuntahan
nila bukas ng father
niya (insistent daw na sumama ang matanda!) sa may Medico near Medical City.

Yung mentor daw ni Dr. Arroyo na si Dr. Felipe Tolentino will be here next month
from Boston, kaya kung medyo complicated yung case, makaka-timing din ng
konsulta sa lalo pang magaling
na doctor.

May report daw uli siya bukas, assured Loida.

Subject: Malapit na siguro tayo sa target, folks!

Pinky called up last night
to say that she deposited at PNB QC Circle for Loida. Ang sweet naman ng
barkada niya for putting up the deposit, sabi pa.
----------------------------------------

Went to UP yesterday morning, got Gil's contribution (kalakip ang halagang
isang libong piso para kay Loida, sabi sa  note). Deposited it already as
soon as PNB-NFA opened here.

------------------------------------------
Ganito naman ang ginawa ni Potit:

we remitted today to Loida' s PNB account  thru the PNB remittance
office here in LV, OR#LV043260.

Espie

Katatawag lang dito. Nagkuwentuhan kami. Sayang daw at walang pictorial
habang naka-helmet siya kahapon. Hinayang nga raw si Felix, puede daw pala
sanang nakapanood ng procedure. She will try to write it down, her
experience. Sana rin daw yung mga nakapanood, magkuwento din. I sugggested
i-audio-tape muna niya while everything is fresh in her mind,habang she
feels dizzy being a one-eyed jack.

She was hoping that the Gamma Knife Procedure woiuld also get rid of the eye
problem, unfortunately, hindi daw at hindi talaga related.

Marunong talaga ang Diyos! Just in time daw yung Gamma Knife, kasi malapit
na yung tumor dun sa Fifth Nerve , na kung inabot daw would have resulted in
numbness of her right face.

Hindi naman talaga puwede iyon, very faulty design na iyon, kasi paano naman
kung naka-patch na nga ang left eye, e numb pa ang right face? Go figure!

Parang EDSA II ang experience niya, ano, wala pang isang linggo, tapos na!
----------------------------
Subject: Loida is checking out of the hospital this morning, folks!
  Maraming Salamat Po!

Loida's telephone number at home in 2376 Amatista St, San Andres, Manila is
563-6033.
Wait for Ruth's detailed kuwento. She called me up last night and updated me
on everything, including blaming me for Loida's finding out about Amee ( I
did not blurt it out, honest!).
--------------------------------------------
I just mailed you a check for a hundred dollars in Loida's name, this
morning. It will get there in 5 days.
Love, delay
--------------------------------------------
Thanks.  I took a little time out to cry quietly after this good news (that
Gamma Knife procedure is done and Loida feels fine!)  Thanks to all for the
prayers. God is kind and good to us.  Ikumusta mo kami ni Hermie kay Loida.
Sabihin mo gusto namin ulit siyang makita sa Canada, lalo na sa June.

Mila
-----------------------------
Our prayers for Loida that she may have a successful operation.  Will
deposit directly to her PNB acct.

Milo
-------------------------------
... I talked to Loida last Friday to wish her luck on her upcoming
procedure....She was in very good spirits.... I will call her again when she
gets home.... We told Ruth earlier on, when we first heard about Loida's
condition, that Kuya Ruds and I  would like to provide a little monetary
help. We just have not figured out how to send it... Ruth advised not to use
the mail. There is a PNB branch here in Chicago.... I will call today to see
if we can make a deposit directly into her account from here.... I am so
happy she faired very well with the surgery...jojo

-----------------------------------------
Prep65 is so blessed with good-hearted & caring people.
. . .
God listened to all our prayers for Loida. Talagang powerful and dasal ng
marami.
Espie

Day 2, January 29, 2001

Proceso, Maripaz, Cesar C. respond! Loida will stay overnight sa Cardinal Santos Hospital  mamaya!  Elmer, Ressie respond! Prayer rally is on NOW! Gil,Espie, Rudy, Evelina, Victor, Delay, Ruth M.V. Ling,Ester, Dennis, Mila, Felice respond spontaneously !  I have stopped counting!
--------------------------
Just spoke to Loida at Rm 319, Cardinal Santos Medical Center!
She feels fine! Na-local anesthesia siya dahil may ini-turnilyo na frame sa
ulo niya kanina, na inalis na, siempre.
For the next three days ay mamamaga ang brain niya.
Tinanong ko kung kinalbo siya, HINDI daw!

We are all welcome to visit her sa hospital, overnight siya doon. Siguro,
potluck dinner, ano kaya?
Hay . . . Maraming Maraming Salamat Po sa Panginoong Diyos!
--------------------------
Please count my $50.00 in for Loida though I still don't know how to send it. I am proud and happy to belong to such a group of compassionate and caring people!

Proceso
--------------------------
i'll deposit my share at PNB .  let us all pray that the 5 hour procedure
will be successful.
Maripaz
-------------------
Where can I send my contribution? Pls. respond. TY.
Cesar
- - - - - -
Please deposit directly to her savings account at PNB
PNB savings account # 227-508144-5.
Account name: Loida Berbano

--------------------------
Nakausap ko si Loida kahapon.  Nakausap siya ni Ataboy sa phone.
She will stay overnight at Cardinal Santos mamaya. We are welcome to visit. . Sabi niya raw sa 7 year old niece niyang si Tiffany, "Sabihin mo kay Baby Jesus, kahit hindi malakas (not aloud), pagalingin niya si Tita Loida, ha?''

--------------------------
Kawawa naman si Loida. I will try to visit her on Monday kasi dayoff ko yan
as we are on a 4-day work week.
Jim
------------------------
. . . , let me pledge my $100...but more important, my prayers and wishes are
of course with Loida.

Elmer
-----------------------
Have been praying for Loida from the 1st time I learned about her situation.
Had been communicating with Ruthie.  Went to mass this morning and offered
prayers for her and all our friends.  I trust the Lord will be kind and good
to us...she is going to win this!! just like I did!!

Ress

----------------------------
I'm committing P1,000.00 for Loida's operation.  I know that it is a
small amount, but I hope it will help.
Regards sa lahat!

Gil
------------------------------
nag-umpisa ako ng dasal ng maaga para kay Loida just in case hindi ako
makasabay at 7:30 am your time.
count me in  - huwag mo na lang i-announce ang amt. thanks.
Espie
--------------------------------
I just saw yesterday your mail about Loida's condition since I only open the
e-mail about once a week.  I'm sending my share of the suggested amount to
the PNB account. This fund raising drive is a good thing since the most
important things in life are really our family  and friends.
I pray and hope the procedure is successful.

Rudy
-----------------------------
    Hi! Double whammy itong linggong ito para sa Prep'65- Amee Ilog and
Loida. My heart aches for  Amee's family and for Loida.
I will ask for prayer for Loida in church tomorrow. Please keep us abreast of
developments.
    Would like to help with $50. Will send it to you around the middle of Feb.
    Regards to everyone.
Love,
    Evie
---------------------------------
Count me in.

Vic
-----------------------------------
Can you directly deposit with personal check in dollars? Delay
----------------------------------

Thanks again to you and Ruth for leading this call for Loida--- huwag sana
kayong sasawa! Anyway, I'm sending my help directly to her acct. and will
certainly include her healing in all my prayers; let's rally the others to
join us in this quest for another miracle... He is always faithful to His
promises especially to those who love Him most.... take care and best regards.

Always,
Ruth M.V.
--------------------------

I will also give but I have to check with Bambi, my brother, if I still
have money with him. I will pledge P5000.

Ling
----------------------------
  Count me in. I'll ask my brother to deposit it in Loida's account.
     Our thougths and prayers are with you, Loida. Don't lose your
     bedimpled smile !!!
     Ester

---------------------------
Ana ,   I  am  not  a religious  person , But  i  believe  in   prayers .
And  with  our  collective  prayers ,  Loida  will  survive  this  one ,
and  will  live  for  another  30  years .   I  will  contribute  on
Monday .   God  bless  you  Loida .
dennis
-----------------------
Sent this to Ruth the first time I had heard about Loida.  Our thoughts are with her constantly these days, thanks for all your updates.  We are glad Hermie and I had the chance to get together with her in Toronto when she was here last year -- even if only for a few hours; and to talk to her over the phone the night before Vergel's funeral service.  We continue to hope and pray,  and to send her good vibes across the seas.

Meanwhile, I would like to request that we hold off talks about NOTL plans, until Loida is well.  I just don't think it s a good time to do this.  Thanks Ana B.

Please accept our little help which I am arranging to be deposited in Loida's account -- P5000.

Warm regards.
Mila
---------------
This confirms that Andy will deposit
five thousand pesos into Loida's PNB savings account on Monday.  I am sure there must be a PNB branch in Makati.

Love, Felice

Andy and Felice respond! 7:30 am Monday ang start ng prayer rally natin, ha? Half-plotter deposits to PNB! Anonymous Plotter 1 responds! Ed responds! Joey responds! Loida's Gamma Knife procedure set  on Monday: Plot Against Loida's  Brain Tumor

Felice, commit P5,000 . . .     Andy
- - - - - -
. . . .
Of course Loida has been in my prayers since I heard about her case.  I will
pray intensely while the Gamma procedure is going on.  We must all include
special prayers for her elderly dad; to be sure he does not get shocked by
this all.
Much love, Felice

43 persons na lang ang kailangang mag-respond! Lampas kalahati na tayo sa target! Hindi ko na mapigilan ang umiyak dito!
--------------------------------------------------
Loida just called to say that 7:30 am Monday, January 29 ang start ng Gamma Knife preparation.
Nakahiga daw siya through the procedure, and she will be alone sa radiation room. She sounds optimistic and calm, which is very good! Told her all about your generosity, and she is very grateful.
--------------------------------------------------
That's me, for P500! Sa payday ang deposit nung kalahati!
48 persons na lang ang kailangang mag-respond.
------------------------------------------------
please put me down for P5,000. I will deposit it in Loida's account at PNB.
Puwede ba anonymous na lang. thanks and you are right, we will win this
fight! With prayers and Class 65 spirit, who can stand against us!
49 persons na lang ang kailangang mag-respond. Naiiyak na ako dito.
--------------------------------------------------
I've asked my friend Henry Mayuga, whose wife Evelyn is in the Philippines,
to deposit P1,000 sa account ni Loida.
Regards,
Ed
54 persons na lang ang kailangang mag-respond! Tumatayo na ang balahibo ko dito!
--------------------------------------------------
From: Joey S.
I'm pledging P20,000.00 as my assistance to Loida. It isn't much, but I hope
it may alleviate somewhat her worries. Just contact me as to where I can
send the check. Regards to everybody.
55 persons na lang ang kailangang mag-respond!
_____________________________
Just spoke to Zenaida, Loida's sister. Sa Cardinal Santos Hospital sa Monday
ang schedule ng Gamma Knife procedure ni Loida.  Mag-concentrated prayers
tayo dun sa exact time duration, malalaman mamaya when she returns home
after lunch. Stick around, folks!
--------------------------------
We will  win this one, folks! Don't you ever doubt it!

Loida is going to set the appointment with the doctors already. Her barkada
is putting up the P175,000 deposit, which is half the required amount of
P350,000 for the Gamma Knife radiation procedure.

I earnestly suggest that the rest of us target to give her 1/4, or P90,000.
That's just 90 people at P1,000 or $20 each. Very doable, di ba?

Last night, Ataboy already started filling up our target. Kaya at the
moment, 75 people na lang ang kailangang mag-respond.

From Ella's e-mail, here's Loida's bank account number where you can
directly deposit:

PNB SA  # 227-508144-5 Loida Berbano.

From Ruth over the phone, another account number where you can deposit:

BPI CA 0385-0774-32  Ruth Flores

Thank you very much, folks!
 
 

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