Master Rapper - Francis Magalona - Suffering Acute Myelogenous Leukemia

Francis Durango Magalona (October 4, 1964 - March 6, 2009), also known as FrancisM, Master Rapper, and The Man From Manila, was a prominent Filipino rapper, songwriter, producer, actor, director, and photographer. He is credited as being the first Filipino rapper in the Philippines to successfully crossover to the mainstream. He was also popularly known as the "King of Pinoy Rap" and was one of the most idolized, celebrated and influential rappers within the genre. On in March 6, 2009, it was reported that Francis Magalona died at 12:00 noon that day, due to acute myelogenous leukemia.

Remembering Francis M.

Am at a room in the Medical City now, and it's day 9 after my chemotherapy. I am transfusing 2 red blood packs at 3 hours each. The other day I transfused a bag of Apheresis Platelets.

And as expected, after chemotherapy as always, my blood parameters have dropped. I usually check for 3 things, Hemoglobin, White Blood Cells and Platelets.

Hemoglobin are the red blood cells that are important because they, being the most in number of the components, are responsible for carrying the oxygen to your brain, which in turn, gives the order to the heart to pump the blood. I think this is how it goes, hehe, I may be wrong. If my hemoglobin drops, I become anemic, and weak, and I have to transfuse red blood packs. (Which is what I am doing now)

White blood cells are the defenders of our body. They fight the germs and anitbodies and are very integral to our immunity. Low wbc, means, low immunity, which means we get infected with diseases, viruses and bacteria easily.

Platelets are the yellow components of our blood, they resemble ground corn. Platelets are responsible for our clotting. Without platelets, we would bleed to death. Most of Leukemia and Dengue patients suffer from low platelet count. They can be harvested from our blood, and if taken from us, it will regenerate in 48 hours. Unfortunately for me, since leukemia is a blood cancer and that means my bone marrow produces abnormal cells that never mature.

The blood that YOU donated to me has saved me today to type and post this blog. Thank you Lord, and THANK YOU MY FRIEND, whoever you may be.

CONDOLENCE TO THE FAMILY OF FRANCIS MAGALONA