Justice for Cyrelle

Got this email from Ariel. Thanks, dear.

CYRELLE J. ESLAVA, a 26 yr. old senior nurse at MEDICAL CITY HOSPITAL (Ortigas Ave. Pasig City Manila, Philippines) was diagnosed of having Pituitary Adenoma (a benign slow growing tumor of the Pituitary Gland).

Her doctor, a neuro-surgeon of the same hospital DR. LOUIE C. RACELIS recommended that a Transsphenoidal Surgery be done to remove the tumor or else she would suffer SUDDEN BLINDNESS!

Cyrelle agreed to have an operation. Cyrelle trusted Dr. RACELIS and as far as she knows he is one of the best neurosurgeons in the hospital . DR. RACELIS assured CYRELLE and her mother that it was an easy operation; that it will only take 45 minutes; that he does the same operation 3 times a week; that CYRELLE is in her optimum age, very young and will recover fast and that in 4-5 days she will be discharged..

But that did not happen…

CYRELLE was operated on on July 24, 2007. The operation lasted 4 hours . The immediate family members were NOT informed what was going on during the operation. And why a 45-minute surgery turned into a 4-hour operation? This was left unanswered. An hour after the surgery, CYRELLE’s level of CONCIOUSNESS decreased. An emergency CT SCAN was done. That’s when DR. RACELIS appeared before CYRELLE’s parents and told them that PROFUSE BLEEDING had occurred during the surgery and BLOOD TRANSFUSION was given to her.

Obviously, SOMETHING WENT WRONG. But DR. RACELIS hid that fact from the family. He had told the parents that everything was normal and that she will recover soon.

CYRELLE is BRAIN DEAD NOW!

Twelve hours after the surgery, CYRELLE went into coma. The NEURO SURGEON RACELIS has even suggested to pull out CYRELLE’s respirator and that an autopsy be done.

One week after the operation there was NO spontaneous breathing, NO amount of pain can stimulate CYRELLE and her HEART still pumps only because she is young. Only a MIRACLE can save her… There was still no explanation as to why and how this happened to Cyrelle.

Cyrelle’s family needs our prayers

Payo ni Ella sa family ni Cyrelle:

Consult a lawyer. Kung ako po ang makakarinig ng ganito, “he does the same operation 3 times a week”, magdududa na po ako sa sinungaling na doktor na ‘yon, sa totoo lang. I don’t think a tumor grows in the pituitary gland of every Tom, Dick and Harry para maging ganoon kadalas ang pago-opera niya (3 times a week?!?).

If my math is correct, based on the doctor’s claim, may tumor na tumutubo sa pituitary glands ng 156 na Filipino taon-taon. At lahat ng tumor na ‘yon ay inopera ni Dr. Racelis (3 times a week) of Medical City Hospital.

********************************

Marami na akong narinig na medical malpractice stories. Marami na ring nabalita sa dyaryo. Some of them happened to people I personally know. Here are a few:

1. A 21-year-old friend of mine was operated on her ovaries sa Makati Med. Umuwi na ‘yung tao several days after the operation. She got worried kasi masyadong masakit ang parteng inopera at lagi siyang may fever. Bumalik siya sa ospital. Inopera siya ulit kasi may naiwan palang bulak o sponge sa loob ng katawan niya.

Payo ni Ella: Dapat buksan din ang tiyan ng culprit na surgeon at lagyan din ng sponge. Wait , hindi lang pala sponge ang dapat ilagay. Loofah ang the best. While we’re at it, lagyan na rin natin ng batong panghilod.

2. An aunt of mine who was so into self-diagnosis presumed she got pregnant and had a miscarriage. Naging irregular kasi ang period niya tapos nagkaroon ng bleeding for two weeks. Nagpunta sa PGH para magpa-raspa (dilatation and curetage).

The medical staff sa ospital didn’t even bother to find out kung totoo nga ang sinasabi niya. Naniwala na lang sila sa auntie kong hypochondriac. Bigla na lang kinayod ang matres niya. ‘Yun pala, kaya nagkaganoon si auntie eh magme-menopause na siya. Hindi naman pala nabuntis at nakunan, grabe.

Payo ni Ella: Dapat ‘yung doktor na mabilis pa sa alas kuwatrong magkayod ng matres ng may matres eh raspahin din. Kahi’t na lalaki siya at walang matres!

3. This one takes the cake. Nangyari ito sa Nueva Ecija. ‘Yung lolo ng kaibigan ko had a stroke and was declared clinically dead by his physician after a few hours sa ospital. Pinakuha na nila ang bangkay ni lolo sa punerarya para imbalsamuhin. Sa punerarya, nang tinusok na ng malaking syringe si lolo (to drain the blood, I think), bigla po kamong bumangon ang bangkay, sabay sigaw ng malakas na “Aray ko poooooh!”

Payo ni Ella: Putsang istorya ‘yon, parang nagpapatawa. I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I know it’s not supposed to be funny. It’s just so bizarre! Nope, hindi ko ipapayong imbalsamuhin din ang doktor niya, although he deserved it. Shet, can you imagine? Buhay ka pa, iimbalsamuhin ka?

The relatives did the right thing, idenemanda nila ang doktor at ang buong ospital. Of course, nanalo sila. Nagsumbong sa judge ang bangkay (daw) ni lolo.

Conclusion: For any kind of invasive surgery, always get a second opinion, please. Consider several options from different physicians. Ask questions and demand to be enlightened about your illness. Do your own research (about the surgeon , too, of course). Ika nga, to know the nature of your disease is half the battle won.

Minsan kasi, ang tingin natin sa mga doktor ay mga diyos na. Parang mga salitang galing sa bibliya ang mga sinasabi nila. Remember, tao rin sila…they don’t know everything!! Even if they behave like they do.

Tao rin sila… isang tumor lang na inopera, pang-down payment na sa bagong Mercedes Benz na inorder nila.

NOTE: For Dr.Racelis’ reply to this email writer’s allegations, please read Blog ni ella: Justice for Dr.Louie Racelis.

~ by ella on September 2, 2007.