Parents of 6-year-old boy with enlarging tongue ask donations for child’s medical expenses

Parents of a six-year-old boy with an enlarged tongue in Isabela are asking for financial help for their child’s medical expenses.

In a “24 Oras” report Wednesday, Edraline Almazan said her son Jay-R had a lump even before he turned one year old, and it hasn’t stopped growing.

Jay-R is the youngest among five siblings and to help ease his pain, her elder sisters cheer him up and give him presents when they come home.

“Awang-awa po kami. May nagsabi sa kanya na, ‘ay, malaki yung dila mo.’ Syempre masakit naman pong pakinggan ’yon,” said his sister Ginalyn.

[We feel bad for him. Someone told him, “your tongue is big.” Of course, it’s painful to hear.]

According to Jay-R’s father Leonardo, they had already consulted with a doctor, but they weren’t able to bring him back for a follow-up because they had no money.

“Hindi ko na po naibalik sa PGH kasi wala na kaming [pera],” he said.

[I wasn’t able to bring him back to Philippine General Hospital because we don’t have money.]

Because of Jay-R’s condition, he had a hard time eating and drinking. He also cannot brush his teeth so his mother just helps him clean his tongue.

According to Dr. Gil Vicente, an ENT head and neck surgeon, Jay-R has a condition called hermangiolymphangioma, which is benign and not hereditary.

“We have preliminary [laboratory] exams that we can do before he undergoes surgery,” the doctor said in a mix of English and Filipino.

Apart from helping the family with Jay-R’s checkup, GMA Kapuso Foundation also gave them grocery packs.

Seeing that Jay-R can no longer smile like he used to, Edraline and Leonardo’s only wish is for their youngest child to get better.

“Sana mapagamot na namin yung anak ko (I hope we can have my son treated),” Edraline said.

GMA Kapuso Foundation is accepting donations through bank deposits, PayMaya, Cebuana Lhuillier, Shopee, GCash, Zalora and Mega Mart.

For more information, visit GMA Kapuso Foundation’s website. – Franchesca Viernes/RC, GMA News