Alone No More: Jonathan’s Story

Written by Ina Amor-Mejia

Jonathan with nurse Emma before his successful operation at the PGH

Jonathan Roda, a cancer patient in his 40’s, came to TRF with a large mass on his left knee. Suffering from Osterosarcoma, a common type of bone cancer, Jonathan came to TRF desperate for help. He was alone, in pain, and was losing hope. The staff and nurses of TRF moved quickly to help Jonathan, enlisting the help of other compassionate individuals, and securing arrangements with doctors at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) for a free operation to remove the mass on his knee.

The operation last July 16, 2013 was successful, and Jonathan has since been transformed both physically and emotionally. Through the efforts of TRF, he is currently undergoing free palliative care and follow-up care at the PGH. Indeed, TRF’s amazing journey can be told through Jonathan’s story. And although the reality is that not every story can have a happy ending like Jonathan’s, it tells of how compassion, hard work, and perseverance can produce swift results—something so crucial in TRF’s work where time if of the essence.

In his own words:

“I would like to thank all those who helped me to get the care I needed. Right away they brought me to the hospital so I could be seen by doctors and get treatment. Rain or shine they visited me to check on me. I’m very, very grateful to the Ruth Foundation, to Doctor Mae and everyone in the team who are always there to help me.” -Jonathan Roda

TRF and Asian Hospital hold ELNEC course

The Ruth Foundation partnered with The Asian Hospital’s Department of Occupational and Family Medicine for “Dispelling Myths through Palliative Care Education: An ELNEC Training Course”, held last October 12, 2013, at the Asian Hospital in Alabang. The event was held in celebration of World Hospice and Palliative Care Day — a “unified day of action to celebrate and support hospice and palliative care around the world.” The crash course was attended by doctors, nurses and caregivers, and gathered specialists such as Dr. Rumalie Corvera (Symptom Management), Dr. Roy Cuison (Ethics), Dr. Paul Nierva (Culture and Spirituality), and Dr. Maria Yamomoto (Communication) among others. A related event “Dispelling the Myths through Partnerships and Integration,” was also held on October 15 in the same venue. Invited guest speakers included Dr. Sue Marsden, Dr. Rhodora Ocampo, Ms. Eloi De Leon, and Dr. Manuel Medina. The event ended with the art exhibit “Painting My Feelings & Insights while  Gaining Victory Over Cancer”, featuring the works of the Project Pink support group and other cancer survivors. 

Hope Delivered: TRF joins typhoon relief

TRF joins the massive effort to bring relief and aid to the victims of Typhoon Yolanda. Over 6,000 people are feared to have died and millions are left with damage to their homes and without electricity after the typhoon devastated parts of the Visayas in November 8. With the help of volunteers, the TRF team packed medicine, food , and clothing donated by benefactors and friends. On November 18, these thirty (30) tons of goods were distributed to some 3,150 families of five affected barangays in Iloilo City in Panay. According to TRF Program Director Dr. Mae Corvera, “These initial efforts are but dots on the map of compassion lighting up all over the country and world at this very moment, for Yolanda’s victims. But with the support that has been entrusted to the foundation, we will continue on our humble way – now focusing on contributing to long-term rehabilitative relief measures.”

TRF is looking at future trips to Panay to oversee the delivery of more building tools and materials as well as medicines and supplies to key health units in the area. “Potentially, in line with the competencies of the foundation we are also looking into organizing efforts for training of health and social workers on the field in psychological relief and grief care,” Corvera said.

Art Infusion with Project Pink

Last September 11 and 12, the Ruth Foundation partnered with Project Pink for Art Infusion—a two day painting workshop participated in by cancer survivors. The workshop, held at the Asian Hospital, was led by Veronica Solano, a graphic designer and teacher at the De La Salle College of St. Beniled School of Design and the Arts. Ms. Solano was assisted by TRF’s resident artist, Nurse Emma. Painting, like other creative endeavors, can be therapeutic for people who live with the challenges of cancer. At the workshop Solano said that the paintings of cancer patients are “part of themselves, their feelings, their insights…while on the journey of fighting and conquering cancer.” The paintings created during the workshop were presented at an exhibit at the Asian Hospital in October, to coincide with Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Proceeds of the sales from the exhibit went to supporting cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Zoning of Hospice Patients

August 2013 — TRF begins zoning of its hospice patients based in the eight barangays of Muntinlupa. The system allows for an organized and effective means to conduct regular visits to mapped out hospice patients. Specific nurses and days of the week are assigned to the different zones, with “Zone 4”, which covers referred patients not within Muntinlupa, being the exception. Any nurse may answer a referral from  “Zone 4” depending on the location and urgency of the case.