C I R C U L A R No. 04, Series of 2019
TO : THE CLERGY, RELIGIOUS AND LAY FAITHFUL OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF LIPA
RE : HEALTH CONDITION OF REV. FR. EXEQUIEL M. DIMACULANGAN
Rev. Fr. Exequiel M. Dimaculangan has been in and out of the hospital over the past few months due to complication of ailments. For this reason, I deem it necessary to inform the clergy, religious and lay faithful of our archdiocese about his health condition.
His health issues started from diabetes while he was director of the ISPF at St. Alphonsus Regional Seminary in Lucena City way back in 2007. Driving from Lipa to Lucena, he noticed unusual bodily weakness, which before such trips were inconsequential for him. When he returned to Lipa, he was assigned as parish priest of Immaculate Conception Parish in Malvar. Barely two years in the parish, he suffered a mild stroke; the possibility of any accompanying ailment was not suspected. Unbeknownst to him and to everyone, polyps have been growing in his colon.
During his last three pastoral assignments, in Subic, Agoncillo, St. Alphonsus Regional Seminary and St. Francis de Sales Minor Seminary, his health was generally fine externally. He took maintenance medicine religiously and followed radio and Internet health tips. Until late in 2018 he was admitted to Mary Mediatrix Medical Center because of swelling in the legs. The eventual diagnosis was colon cancer, stage 2 which necessitated chemotherapy every two weeks. Complications followed: kidney ailment, which necessitated dialysis every other day; insulin shots everyday; and heart maintenance, which called for an angioplasty previously.
Coping with the situation has since been a hurdle for Fr. Quiel. It was the same for the doctors of Mary Mediatrix Medical Center, especially Cardinal Santos Medical Center who needed to discover the right combination of medicines for colon cancer, diabetes and kidney problem. Preserving the kidney while preparing the colon for surgery became a futile attempt; the complexity of colon cancer brought with it pains other than those in the kidneys. The worst struggle after the operation of the colon was the Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), which would always last for several continuous days.
On 23 December 2018 he was brought back to Cardinal Santos Medical Center. There he had severe RLS attack gave him again sleeplessness. He was given medications to calm him down. Restlessness would always attack around 10pm to 4am. Normally, other patients would have it only at night. Only sleeping pills were allowed to relieve the discomfort. Hallucinations and depression follow from time to time due to the side effects of all the pills; no RLS though.
Fr. Quiel said that he could not describe the feeling when RLS attacked; he said it did not cause him pain. But every time it would attack he would have to fold his leg and clasp his knees with his arms tightly toward his chest. No amount of prayer and moralizing would better substitute the temptation of asking God to end his sleepless days and blurring sight due to depression.
On January 2, 2019 his appetite started to grow but he would eat every 30 minutes. As effect of the pills, however, he would forget he already ate. Lately, the MRI showed he had a stroke. Blood thinning medicines were regulated to avoid bleeding and prevent seizures. He had chemotherapy on January 4 and happily responded well to it. Less RLS and restlessness became more manageable through massage. On January 7, another MRI was administered. He was given medicines intravenously to prevent further clot in the brain.
Fr. Quiel is now back at St. Joseph Seniorate. He is able by now to sleep and rest and to pass the day, thanks to the right combination of medicines. Msgr. Ruben Dimaculangan said that it was so hard for Fr. Quiel to accept that there was already no point of return to pink health and to other pastoral plans. Now he is already reconciled and at peace with his present situation, seeing every sleep and every day free from dialysis and chemotherapy as precious gifts. Prayers of Msgr. Ruben and from other priests along with their pangungumusta were for him an accompaniment.
On my part, my salute to Fr. Quiel Dimaculangan for bearing his sufferings with courage and perseverance that comes from his relationship of faith with our Lord. He wants to remind all of us that health is indeed wealth. Let us all therefore continue to pray for his recovery and healing. Relying on God’s providence, I would like to assure Fr. Quiel and his family that the Archdiocese of Lipa - clergy, religious and lay faithful - will look after him and take care of all his needs.
Through the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of Priests and the Comforter of the Afflicted, may all of us find healing and consolation in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Given this 15th day of January in the year of our Lord two thousand nineteen, at the Chancery Office, Cathedral Site, Lipa City.
(sgd)Most Rev. Gilbert A. GARCERA Archbishop of Lipa
(sgd)Rev. Fr. Jayson N. ALCARAZ Chancellor
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