KCAT CAN: No reason not to be joyful

"...There are a lot of people who have disabilities but are still capable of succeeding in life by doing everything that they could; and I am one of them! I may not excel in anything, but I have touched lives. I am able to share my talents. I am able to bring joy to people’s hearts. And the most important of all, I am able to know how to live with gratitude, contentment, happiness and courage in the face of many struggles and challenges. I am disabled, but I am surely, definitely and undoubtedly able!..."

No reason not to be joyful
by Maria Kathrina Lopez Yarza
April 25, 2011


MANILA, Philippines — I had an open-head surgery two weeks ago, and it was a success! The tumor that was causing my right eye to bulge out was removed completely, without complications, I had the fastest recovery. Post-surgery, I didn't feel any pain in my head nor weakness. In five days, my doctor Dr. Willy Lopez discharged me from the hospital. God is so great!

My mom and I were amazed at everything that has happened. I told her that I better write this article when I got home because if I didn’t, people/readers might think that I might have died! We both laughed.

MAY Birthday Project 2011: My Wishlist.

One day, while I was randomly thinking, I had the greatest idea and shared it to my mom: "I want to celebrate my birthday on the hospital." I thought of Philippine General Hospital (PGH) since that's where I often have my hospitalization because it's cheaper and has my lot of good doctors. But I'm still lucky because we are able to afford the pay ward (private rooms) and the best doctors! I feel so blessed and I wanted to share my greatest blessings, not money, definitely not. My greatest blessings are my friends! MAY BIRTHDAY PROJECT was born!

Go! Go lang!

Five years ago, Holy Week 2006, everything about my current condition dawned in my mind. I realized that I am really really sick and I am not able to do what I used to. It's like the word is moving too fast, I wanted it to stop and wait for me. I even had a hard time sleeping. I was having an anxiety attacks.

I'll quote the 'Che Che Lazaro Presents' interview of my mom:

Madge Yarza: "Nung holy week, yung yung nafeel niyang parang ano, she wanted.. Sabi niya, she wanted the world to stop and wait for her.

Surgery (April11): SUCCESS! Thank you.

I'm sorry for the super late post. After finishing my column for April 25 and sending it, my computer malfunctioned. :( Something's wrong withe the videcard or motherboard. I'm currently typing via my ipad coz my pc is in the hospital with Dr.Cris my superhero friendly IT cousin. Haha. Anyway, here the much awaited story of my surgery. Pictures to follow.

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April 9 - Check-in at Philippine General Hospital at around 8 or 9 pm (i think). Check-in, parang magho-hotel lang. Haha. Before heading to PGH, we dropped by St. Jude Parish to light a candle & pray then went to Robinsons Place beside PGH to buy some groceries and eat dinner. Tsk. I forgot to have a haircut. And then we were ay PGH - 5th floor, rm523. The next day was just consecutive number of tests to prepare mo for my surgery. We were told that I'll be needing blood donors to donate 2 bags of blood as a replacement for the blood they borrowed from blood bank that they'll use for my surgery. We posted it on Facebook, and were touched with all the responses, thank you so much!

April 11, 2011 at around 6am, the nurses fetched me in my room with stretcher in tow.

Today. Later. Tonight. 10pm.

on ABS-CBN

TFC US and Canada
Sunday, April 17, 8:35 PM, U.S. Pacific Time
Sunday, April 17, 11:35 PM, U.S. Eastern Time
Sunday, April 17, 8:35 PM, Canada Pacific and Eastern Time

TFC SAUDI and DUBAI
Sunday, April 18, 8:35 AM,Saudi Time
Sunday, April 18, 9:35 AM, Dubai Time

TFC MILAN and LONDON
Sunday, April 17, 10:40PM,Milan Time
Sunday, April 17, 9:40 PM,London Time

TFC HK/SG/SYDNEY
Monday, April 18, 4;45PM, Hongkong and Singapore Time
Monday, April 18, 6:45M,Sydney Time

KCAT CAN: Being ready

sorry, late post.. This was my column last Monday, April 11 - the day of my surgery.


BEING READY
by Maria Kathrina Lopez Yarza
April 11, 2011


 "How do you combat all the challenges in your life?”

This is a question that I often encounter. I always say that my biggest weapon is my faith in God and faith in myself.

I have realized though that my faith in people is also important, especially those who are part of my life.

EYE CAN! I CAN!

***this is a scheduled post

At this moment, I am already inside the operating room (if there isn't any cause for delay) being prepared to open my head and remove my tumor.. Please join us in praying for the success of this operation..

BRB

We are currently preparing for my admission at Philippine General Hospital tonight.. My surgery is on April11, Monday at 7am.. Please pray for me.. And also, we are still accepting shirt orders, you can purchase it when you visit me.. Just contact my mom at 09272459400. Okay?

Visit I AM KCAT page on Facebook for updates c/o my sister, Talitha..

Maglalakwatsa muna ako.. Hahaha ;P

For KCAT (me! me! me!)

Favor please..

1 week to go!

In less than 168 hours, I'll stay in the operating room again.. this is it! i'm not sure if we reached the target amount for my surgery yet.. but God will provide.. Am I ready? Of course I am! I'll just sleep through it & by the time I wake up, it's done! Pray for me okay? :)