Clifford Manatad: Fighting the Cancer Battle

I'm not new to the 6th floor of the AFP Medical Center at V. Luna St., Quezon City.  We've visited this place several times to do some outreach activities for their pediatric patients. Last Sunday, we came back to share some blessings. We were greeted by a very friendly boy. He welcomed us and asked for our names.  In return, he gave his. Clifford.  Before proceeding to the activity room, we passed by a makeshift altar along the hallway. He touched one of the statues and did the sign of the cross.

The kids of AFP Medical Center's Pediatric Ward

I stand in the middle of the room, waiting for everyone to arrive.  Clifford sat right in front of me.  When everyone has taken their respective seats, we started the program by teaching the kids to hand sign the letters of the alphabet.  This got everyone warmed up.  We made every kid in the room do the hand sign for the first letter of their names. All of them willingly obliged. I told two stories and did some Q and A. He listens intently and was very participative.  I must say, he's a very happy kid... someone who exudes a zest for life. His eyes light up easily and even if his mouth is covered with a mask the whole time, I knew that he smiles and laughs a lot.  If not for his bald head, no one would guess that he's suffering from stage four Ewing's sarcoma, a cancerous and malignant tumor that occurs primarily in children and young adults, often appearing during the teen years.  It usually affects the long bones, such as the thighbone, shinbone, and upper arm bone. In Clifford's case, it's on his right upper arm near the shoulder.  He's 13. He told me that he'll be 14 this coming May 16.  And since he's a millennium baby, being born in the year 2000, his age is the same as the last two digits of the current year.

We gave out Jollibee chicken and spaghetti as merienda.  Her mom, Aling Cora, persuades him to eat something.  To which he politely declined, I asked why.  He replied, "Pagkain ng cancer." I understood what he meant. But his mom said, "Kahit konti lang."  He only had three to five bites of the chicken joy, then he drank some water. He wouldn't have more.  Her mom was in tears when she narrated how she brought Clifford to a manghihilot because he was complaining of shoulder pains after pumping some water in their poso. They were advised to have it checked by a doctor.  When they found out that it was cancer, they couldn't believe it.  But one way or the other, the truth should be dealt with.  They went from Mindanao to Manila for his treatment.  They have been in and out of the hospital since July 2013.  They even celebrated their Christmas in there.  Aling Cora mentioned that one of their doctors even suggested to amputate his arm to lessen the chances of the cancer cells spreading to his heart or his lungs, any of which would prove to be fatal.  I asked Clifford if amputation is ok with him.  He said, in a manner I would never forget because I could still hear the conviction in his voice, "Kung dun lang ako gagaling, oo.  Ok lang."

Clifford Manatad and his mom, Cora.

I was told that the swelling from his shoulder has lessened considerably after some rounds of chemotherapy.  He'll undergo another one this week.  I asked him how it was after a session.  He told me that he doesn't have the appetite to eat, nor the energy to move around.  He would just lie down and sleep.  According to Aling Cora, he's suppose to have an MRI to find out the extent of his cancer but funds had ran out. She said it a manner that conveys understanding. After all, he's not the only kid-beneficiary being treated in the army hospital for cancer.

The necklace and earrings Clifford gave me.

When we were saying our goodbyes, he gave me a necklace and a pair of earrings.  I asked him if he had made them, he replied with a nod. I think being in a hospital for military personnel, is apt for someone like him.  He's fought so bravely and gallantly.  Meeting him and the other kid-patients made me realize that my cares are too small compared to what they have to deal with every single day.  And their hearts are overflowing with gratefulness and courage.  You can say that I got more than what I bargained for.  I have received some valuable lessons from unlikely teachers. Something I'll never forget.

Meanwhile, Clifford is still waiting for his MRI. According to Ate Aida Calagui, Kythe Child Life Coordinator in AFP Medical Center, the cost of an MRI is about P36,500.  You can help. Or might know of someone who can. You may contact Aling Cora Manatad (Clifford's Mom) at (0907) 460-4332 or Ate Aida at (0916) 7861952.  You may also course it through me at dsedilla@yahoo.com. Thank you for reading this far. God bless your heart.