Woman in Laguna whose leg swelled up gets rescued from own home after over a decade

A 31-year-old woman was rescued from her own home in Laguna after over a decade of being stuck indoors.

Personnel from the local government unit of San Pedro broke Mae Ann out of her house because she couldn't fit through the doorway.

This is because she suffers from a condition that resulted in her legs swelling to gigantic proportions.

According to a report in "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho," Mae Ann was 18 when her left leg began to swell. Presently, it weighs 25 kilos.

It's also far from being in a healthy state. Her skin is wounded and peeling. She has to wrap it up in cloth because it waters.

Due to her condition, Mae Ann can no longer walk. She said she has a hard time carrying the leg, so she stays in bed. She wears a diaper because it's a struggle to go to the bathroom. In fact, she doesn't get to bathe often, and instead resorts to wiping her body.

Mae Ann spends most of her time listening to the radio. In the afternoons, she treats her wounds with the help of her neighbors.

"'Pag hindi po siya nalilinisan ng araw-araw, dinadapuan po ng langaw," she said.

"Feeling ko po napamamahayan na po 'yung loob ng paa ko ng uod," she added.

("I have to clean my leg every day, so insects don't fly over it. It feels like worms are living inside of my leg.")

Ever since her mother Enriqueta died of a stroke over a year ago, life became even more difficult for Mae Ann.

"Para po akong nawalan ng paa 'yung namatay po siya kasi po siya po ang nagluluto sa amin, nagpapaligo po sa akin, naglalaba po ng mga damit ko po," she said.

("It felt like I lost a part of me when she died. Because she used to be the one to care for me, to cook for me, to wash me.")

Fortunately, she has kind neighbors to lean on. They give her coffee and cook her food. One of them even built a door for her.

"Nangako ako sa nanay niya na tutulungan ko siya," said one of the neighbors named Elberto. "Pinagbilin sa akin na gusto ko maipagamot din."

("I promised her mom that I would take care of her. I wish that she'd get the medical attention she needs.")

Elberto's daughter Acel even gets emotional about it.

"Naiiyak din po ako kapag umiiyak siya," she said.

("I tear up seeing her cry over her condition.")

Mae Ann meanwhile admitted that she feels like a burden to them.

"Ayaw ko po maging pabigat sa kanila," she said.

("I feel like I'm such a big burden to them. I don't want them to feel burdened because of me.")

According to the report, Mae Ann is the youngest of four siblings. The oldest among them is in jail, while her sister Vidalyn has her own family and visits every once in a while.

It's her other sister Vidalu, an OFW in Canada, who really provides for her.
Mae Ann admits that she dreams of going to Canada as well.

"Para malibang din tumitingin na lang po ako ng mga pasyalan sa Canada," she said. "Mga gusto ko pong puntahan. Para po doon po magtrabaho. Kasi po andun po ang ate ko po."

("To pass the time, I'd look at places I could go to in Canada. I want to work there because my sister is there.")

In an effort to earn by herself, Mae Ann sells items like bangus, meat, and desserts online.

Unfortunately, it's not very successful.

"Bihira lang po ako makabenta. Kahit papaano, may income po ako na pinakamalaki po ay P150."

("I don't earn much from selling online honestly. The biggest I earned was 150 pesos.")

Mae Ann shared that once customers see her, they'd stop ordering from her.
Mae Ann said she hasn't gone to the doctor because she can't afford it.

"Gusto ko na po talagang bumitaw," she said. "May times po na tinatawag ko po si Mama na sabi ko po, 'Ma, kunin ninyo na po ako. Parang awa ninyo na po. Huwag ninyo naman po ako pahirapan. Please lang po kunin ninyo naman po ako.'"

("There are times when I felt like giving up. Sometimes, I wish that I'd be with my mom in heaven. I'd beg her to take me because I don't want to endure this hardship any longer.")

Turning emotional, she added, "Pero may mga taong nagpapalakas po ng loob ko na sinasabi po nila na 'Mae Ann, laban lang! Huwag kang susuko. Tatawag ka lagi sa Taas. Lumaban ka lang! Maraming nagmamahal sa'yo.'"

("But there are people who would cheer me on. 'Mae Ann, you can do this! Don't give up. Just have faith in the Lord. There are people who love you.'")

KMJS brought Mae Ann's case to the local government unit of San Pedro. The MSWD gave Mae Ann groceries and cash.

The KMJS team also gave her financial aid.

And finally, LGU personnel rescued her from her home. She was loaded on an ambulance and taken to the hospital.

According to Doctor Aries Silva, an internist, "Ang very common or known cases ng mga ganitong kondisyon is elephantiasis caused by an obstruction of the lymphatic system. Could be tumors, could be other infections. The increase in size is definitely not caused by uod."

("Her symptoms point to a condition called elephantiasis, which is caused by an obstruction of the lymphatic system—it could be tumors or other infections. But the increase in size is definitely not caused by worms.")

Dr. Silva added that the specific cause of Mae Ann's condition is still unknown, and to better diagnose her condition, Mae Ann has to undergo a series of tests.

Meanwhile Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Alexander Juson said, "May infection siya at may parasite, may bacteria rin po base doon sa eksaminasyon natin. 'Yung posibilidad rin po na fungal, meron din po."

("Based on our initial examinations, Mae Ann has an infection. Bacteria was also found in her leg. There's a possibility of fungal infection as well.")

According to the doctors, Mae Ann would need surgical interventions, which means that medical expenses may cost millions.

Mae Ann knows that she has a long and arduous journey ahead of her, but as long as there are people who care about her, she's willing to stay brave. She also wishes for a better quality of life.

"Ang pinagdarasal ko po kay Papa Lord ay ang mawala na po 'tong karamdaman ko po. Kasi po sobrang nahihirapan na po ako sa sitwasyon ko po ngayon."

("I could only pray to God for strength and for Him to heal me.")

For those who wish to help, please deposit to:

LANDBANK - SAN PEDRO CITY LAGUNA BRANCH
MAEANN C CALDONA
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 2486-2409-06
MOBILE NUMBER: 0921-939-2285

GCASH ACCOUNT
0921-939-2285
MAEANN C CALDONA

—JCB, GMA Integrated News