2Lt. Sheryl Uy-Cabasan, a recent female graduate of the Philippine
Military Academy Class 0f 1997, 21-22 years old, met a car accident
(together with 2 other classmates) on 2 June 1997 while enroute to Nueva
Ecija, Luzon Island, Philippines. While the 2 persons had no major
injuries, Sheryl Cabasan, on the other hand, suffered a spinal cord
injury and the lower part of her body is paralyzed. She was brought to
the AFP Medical Center, V. Luna Road, Quezon City, Metro Manila, given
primary treatment and underwent surgeries within the next 6 months.
Two weeks ago, Sheryl was transferred to the Medical City Hospital,
Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila. While on her 7th month pregnancy, she
underwent caesarian operation to deliver a frail baby boy. The baby was
very small and placed in an incubator, but he's declared safe now. By
Christmas time, she’ll probably be transferred back to the Officers’
Ward of the AFP Medical Center to continue with her treatment.
ACCIDENT DETAILS:
Car Accident - June 2, 1997
Diagnosis: Spinal Cord Injury C7-T1
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) revealed a severely compressed spinal
cord at the level C7-T1, caused by fatal vertebral column. Cervical
plating was done to stabilized the fractured vertebral column and to
decompress the spinal cord.
A week after the cervical plating operation, Sheryl gained sensations
from the nipple line down to the umbilical area which was not present
before.
She has a brace around her neck. Somehow, she has can talk, read, laugh
and make slight right arm movements. Her memory is okay.
Present problems:
a) Loss of bowel and bladder control which led to recurrent urinary
tract infection (UTI);
b) Paralysis of the lower part of the body (from diaphram down to the
feet): (-) sensation and (-) motor movement;
c) Weakness of the left arm, grip is weak but there are slow
improvements.
Are there similar cases of this nature, which were treated/handled by
spinal column/cord/nerves’ specialists and concerned medical centers
around the globe? The family wish to receive vital information (via
internet) that can provide assistance to our local specialists, and
receive other forms of support to achieve faster healing/recovery and
future rehab/therapy needs. We’d like to know also how to get in touch
with these specialists or medical centers. We’ll be very grateful!
>From a Tropang Pinoy Crusader,
Alex Quirante
e-mail: quiragl(AT)pacific.net.ph
compfax # (632) 715-8307
tel. # (632) 714-6098
pager # (632) 150-605815