10-month-old baby from Cagayan receives help from GMA Kapuso Foundation

In Ballesteros, Cagayan, a small plastic tub serves as 10-month-old Chrisler’s crib.

Even though his mother, Jeanne Mappala, wants him to play freely, she must consider the large bump or swelling on one side of Chrisler’s face, near his right ear.

The swelling was initially no larger than a monggo seed in August but grew to the size of a fist in just two months.

“Sumasakit yata, ginaganyan ganyan niya ‘yung ulo niya. Kinakatakot ko baka maapektuhan ‘yung niya tapos palapit na sa mata,” Jeanne said.

[It seems to be hurting him; he keeps touching his head. I'm afraid it might affect his eyesight.]

Chrisler’s grandmother, Raquel, cannot hold back her tears, especially when discussing her grandson's condition.

“Sabi ko nga sana nasa akin nalang 'yung sakit niya kasi ako kaya ko sabihin yung nararamdamang sakit, 'yung bata hindi niya alam,” she said.

[I wish I could bear his pain instead because I can express the pain I feel, but the child doesn't know.]

While they attempted to have Chrisler treated in Cagayan, the three hundred pesos Jeanne’s husband earns is insufficient to cover transportation expenses.

Driven by a mother's boundless love, they journeyed from Ballesteros, Cagayan to Manila to seek assistance from the GMA Kapuso Foundation.

With the Kapuso Foundation's help, they were able to take Chrisler to a specialist.

“Basically, benign naman siya. Hindi po natin matitiyak ang pinakasimula pero ang nangyari riyan ay nagkaroon ng bara sa mga dumadaloy sa lymphoid area, tapos nagkaroon ng inflammation, nagkaroon ng pamamaga so naglakihan ang mga ito,” plastic surgeon Dr. Hector Santos explained.

[Essentially, it's benign. We can't pinpoint the exact cause, but there was a blockage in the lymphoid area, which led to inflammation and swelling.]

Before proceeding with the necessary treatment and surgery, diagnostic tests, including MRI and CT scans, must be conducted to determine the specific type of affected tissue.

Jeanne and her family are reaching out to those willing to extend help to Chrisler.

For more information, visit the GMA Kapuso Foundation website.

—CACM, GMA Integrated News