Chapter 2 DEAR ELENA 2

May 8,1990

Dear Elena,

My heart is full of sorrow because of the news that the doctor told us. I hate it! I wish it's all just a dream Elena. A While ago in the hospital I had 100% hope for my brother's condition but when the doctor said the bad news; It fell to 50%. My brother has Acute promyelocytic Leukemia Stage 1. My mother cried. It's so hard to watch my mother helplessly crying. I bawled my eyes out because of the result. I hate it! It makes my heart bleed. But you know Elena. I admire my Kuya because he didn't cry. And he makes sure that it's okay that we don't need to feel sorry for him. That he will fight for his life until the end. He is so strong Elena! I'm proud that he is my Kuya. Even though he is sick, he still acts as the eldest son in our family. Oh gosh! I don't want to cry but I'm crying right now. Everytime I remember the scenario earlier at the hospital my heart squeezes because of the pain. It's funny right? I am not the one who needs medication but I hurt the most next to my mother. Elena, My Father is not with us earlier. He goes to work even though he knows that it's an important day to us. I feel like he dont care about Kuya. You know Elena this year is the very unlucky year of my life. All the things that I experience right is all new to me. And I hate it!

Sincerely yours,

Luna

I closed my Diary and put it inside my drawer. Seconds later I'm crying hard. It's so hard for me to accept the situation of my brother. I'm trying to look for the bright side of our situation. We know about his condition and I think it's a blessing from above. We can cure it.

"Yeah! We can fight it" I said to myself with a hope that I'm right. Because right now I am holding to my faith.

"Luna, Believe it" Convincing myself.

I should go to the library tomorrow. I will find a book about my Brother's disease. Maybe I can find an alternative treatment. Herbal?

I'M HERE in the Library scrolling in every corner of the bookshelves.

"There's so many books in here" I unconsciously said to myself.

" Yeah! So many varieties" I immediately looked at the man beside me.

"Carlo!" I gasp

"Wow! you are obviously surprised huh" He playfully said before he faced me and gave the sweetest smile that I'm dying to see everyday of my life.

I hold my younge for 10 seconds before I answer his question.

" It's just. I'm surprised " I stuttered when I talked to him and it's so embarrassing.

I immediately cover my face with my hand to avoid his dreamy eyes. I feel my heart throbbing abnormally.

"Oh! You don't need to feel embarrassed. It's makes me awkward Luna" He giggles.

" I'm sorry. I'm just not feeling comfortable " I shyly said to him before I turned around and left him alone standing in front of a bookshelves.

" Oh my gosh! I am such a disappointment "I hissed to myself

After 20 minutes of walking around in the Library I finally found the book that I need.

The book that I got is thick. It's obviously a medical book.

"Okay where it is?"

I searched in the book until I found the information that I needed for my brother's illness. It's better to have knowledge after all.

I read the information in the book until I came into the Sign and Symptoms of the Illness.

Signs and Symptoms

Patients with APL exhibit many of the same symptoms as other types of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). Most of the signs of leukemia are the result of cancer cells "crowding out" the bone marrow and interfering with the production of normal, healthy red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. These signs and symptoms include:

Having low energy, or feeling tired all the time

Feeling short of breath when doing regular activities

Pale skin

Unexplained fevers

The increased healing time of cuts and bruises

Achy bones or joints

Difficulty "fighting off" infections

In addition to these signs of AML, APL patients also show other characteristic symptoms. They will often:

Have severe bleeding problems such as bruising, nosebleeds, blood in the urine or bowel movements. Girls and women with APL may notice unusually heavy menstrual periods.

At the same time, there is often abnormal, excessive clotting of the blood.

"From all the symptoms and signs.

I know that he will suffer for the next few months or years" I unconsciously said to myself.

"What is that?" I look at the man who speaks.

And it's Carlo again.

"Do I surprise you again?" He happily asked me?

And my head voluntarily nodded to his Questions.

What's wrong with me?

"No, Not really. I'm fine" I quickly closed my mouth when I stuttered again in front of Carlo for the 2nd time.

" Okay, Don't be shy around me Luna. Loosen up. You are stiff" He jokingly said to me before he laughed.

His laugh makes my heart jump. I want to hear that sound every day of my life.

"By the way Luna- Why are you reading that book? Are you planning to be a doctor someday?" Carlo asked.

I shake my head and touch the book

"Its a personal matter" I answered

He just nodded to my answer as a sign of respect. I'm thankful that he is not a nosy type of guy. So there's no follow up questions.

"Ahmm...Carlo If you mind. Why are you here at the library? " I asked

He looked at me and then he pointed to the girl at the opposite table. "I'm following her" He whispered to my ears, which gave me shivers around my body.

"Why?"I asked

" Because she caught my attention," He said.

" Do you know her?"

" First name but not the full name" He nonchalantly said.

" She's beautiful" I confess that makes carlo laugh

" That's true Luna. You have an eye for the beauty" He happily said

That makes my heart twitch painfully.