Ombudsman Remulla reveals blood cancer treatment after undergoing heart bypass surgery
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin C. Remulla shows no signs of physical weakness when going about his day-to-day tasks. He deals with his health challenges privately.
Remulla had disclosed his quintuple heart bypass surgery when he was the secretary of the Department of Justice (DOJ).
In the program “Usapang Real with Luchi” hosted by veteran journalist Luchi Cruz Valdes last Oct. 24, Remulla discussed his heart diagnosis and revealed his ailment thereafter.
"Noong pagaling na ako, na-diagnose naman ako ng cancer -- leukemia -- cancer ng dugo (When I was recovering, I was diagnosed with cancer -- leukemia -- cancer of the blood)," he said.
He said he was treated at the St. Luke’s Hospital in Bonifacio Global City and underwent two cycles of chemotherapy, did full body radiation, and had a bone marrow transplant.
He explained that a bone marrow transplant has to take place when a person has no more white blood cells.
"Lalagyan ka ng stem cell ng donor para magkaroon ka ng bagong bone marrow. Yan ang pinaka factory ng dugo (They will put stem cells from a donor so you would have a new bone marrow. That is the factory of the blood)," he said.
After the procedure, Remulla said that the blood flowing through his veins now is no longer his old blood but the blood of his son, who is a "full match."
He said he was able to recover from the treatment. “Maganda naman ang prognosis (the prognosis is good)," he added.