Coach Ralph Eben Plaza with his DBTC football team before he got bone cancer. | Contributed Photo
“Wala jud ko mag expect ani na sakit, tinoud bah kaha ni na sakit or basig gibinuangan ko,” said Ralph of his initial reaction upon learning that he has Ewing Sarcoma of the bone. Ralph said that he started suffering body pain last November 2019 and when he had it checked up, the doctor’s finding was just back pain.
Ralph’s condition then worsened as by February, he started losing strength in his legs until finally he got admitted last February 24 as he couldn’t move his legs anymore. Making his fight against bone cancer more difficult is the COVID-19 which, among others, has derailed his leg therapy so he could regain its use.He was supposed to get a therapy session on his leg every other day so he would be able to move them.After undergoing surgery where he got spine implants so his spine will not collapse, he is now undergoing bone treatment every 21 days.