My hero is a lymphedema therapist
Having survived two cancers allows me to get up each morning with a very grateful spirit. I am never alone on this journey. Thanks to my loving family, friends, doctors and faithful group of prayer warriors who are constantly in prayer mode, God continues to surprise us on the road as he meets our every need. He makes his comforting presence felt as he accompanies us all through every single challenge.
Back in 2012 when I was diagnosed with Stage III-B breast cancer that metastasized to several lymph nodes — a mastectomy, lymph node removal and radiation were recommended by the doctor. My husband and siblings who were with me asked about risks and side effects. We were informed that a condition called lymphedema may or may not arise. Based on their research, this was a thickening of the affected arm, and in some extreme cases, to elephantsized proportions. This worried my family a lot but we had to go through with the treatment and deal with it later, should it occur.
All had been well with me since then. However, this year, in January, I began to experience a heavy, tender swelling sensation in my left arm where several lymph nodes were surgically removed. Within weeks, my left arm grew bigger than my right. It was time to visit my lovable surgeon Dr. Vic Gozali, who never ceases to give me and my family the best fatherly advice. He checked my arm and said, “Don’t you worry. I know someone who will help you.”
To my surprise, I had lymphedema stage one. The dreaded fear of my siblings had become a reality. But wait! Rather than fret in sadness, let’s choose to look at the Godly side of things. There is always good news. (And this is what I sincerely wish to share to patients who may have this condition.)
Dr. Gozali introduced me to Francis Ciabal in Makati Med. On our first meeting, Francis immediately put my family’s concerns to rest. He reassured us that there is hope for lymphedema patients and there are now certified lymphedema therapists in the country who can help us. Now that is good news! He also said that my condition was caught early on and can be managed through therapy and wearing a compression sleeve.
This compression sleeve would serve as a protective second skin to prevent my affected arm from uncomfortable swelling, increasing in size and getting wounded. I would have to wear this every day especially when I work out in the gym and when I ride in airplanes. He also made a schedule for manual lymphatic drainage twice a month at the Makati Med Cancer Center. I promised to be an obedient patient with my husband as witness. As a reward, I enjoyed my treatment under the hands of this kind and knowledgeable therapist. The swelling has eased up and is now under control making Francis my new BFF and yes, my HERO.
Meet my hero
Francis was born in Manila on Feb. 10, 1976 to a very religious couple Mar and Belle Ciabal. They raised him together with his two sisters Pamela and Suzanne in a family- oriented setting. They all graduated from Catholic schools.
Francis is happily married to Kathryn, who works for a multinational pharmaceutical company and has four children: Kyle, 19; Ishi, nine; Timmy, six; and Crocy, four.
“Becoming a certified lymphedema therapist was the farthest thing from my mind. Being a management graduate from De La Salle- College of St. Benilde, I decided to work for a multinational pharmaceutical company as medical representative. I also love to cook so I got involved in food production and had a restaurant business,” shares this amiable man.
I had to ask Francis, how did a management graduate, medical representative and entrepreneur become a certified lymphedema therapist (CLT)? What inspired him to become one?
He replies with a smile. “It was because of somebody really close and very special to me who developed lymphedema. After surgery, she began seeking treatment for this condition. I said to myself, ‘it’s payback time.’ I wanted to become a CLT to be able to treat her. It was a difficult decision because this was a very radical change from what I had been doing in the past. But thanks to my stint as a medical representative, I gained knowledge that helped me a lot.”
Francis is so grateful that he fulfilled the requirements of the institution of his choice, which is the esteemed Dr. Vodder School in Dallas, Texas. He is now a CLT practitioner based in San Pablo City in Laguna. His clinic is located in San Pablo Colleges Medical Center (SPCMC). Incidentally, this is also the national office of the Lymphology Society of the Philippines, a society that Francis and his co- CLTs recently formed where he was elected as the first founding president.
What is lymphedema?
Ly mph edema, according to Francis, is the abnormal retention of proteinrich fluid that causes swelling in different parts of the body like arms or legs, which is a result of a damaged or obstructed lymphatic system. Patients who had cancer surgery ( like lymph node dissection ), radiation, trauma, infection and chronic venous insufficiency may develop ly mph edema. This can also be congenital or primary lymphedema. Early detection and management using combined decongestive therapy (CDT), which consist of manual lymph drainage( MLD), multi-layer bandaging, lymphatic exercises and skin care can reduce swelling, prevent further complications and improve the patient’s quality of life.
Francis finds constant excitement and fulfillment in his practice. Pure happiness for him is receiving a simple thank you from patients who express relief from the pain and uncomfortable feelings caused by this condition. “One relative of my patient commented, ‘ Hindi na siya mapigil sa paglalakad papuntang palengke. Minsan tatlong beses isang araw simula noong mawala ang manas at sugat ni Inay sa binti.’ I feel my mission is accomplished when I hear positive comments from patients and their loved ones. To date, I have the opportunity to treat cancer patients who have undergone surgery and radiation. Also a baby diagnosed with Milroy’s disease (congenital lymphedema). This I call a work in progress since it’s a lifelong condition that needs to be treated to prevent swelling and complications. The parents are included in the team and encouraged to do the necessary care at home so that the therapy becomes more effective,” he says.
Through his practice, Francis dreams of providing patients with better quality of life, after surviving cancer and struggle with lymphedema. “It’s also the wish of our group, the Lymphology Society of the Philippines, to be able to disseminate information about this condition, which we consider a great help for patients with lymphedema,” he concludes.
That’s my hero!