Angelica Panganiban recently opened up about a personal struggle—her battle with avascular necrosis, commonly referred to as "bone death."
This condition, arising from the loss of blood supply to a bone due to injury or trauma, took an unexpected toll on her life.
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SYMPTOMS
Taking to YouTube, Angelica uploaded a vlog on November 18, 2023 to detail the signs leading up to the diagnosis.
The celebrity mom first noticed pain around her hips during pregnancy with daughter Amila Sabine Homan, attributing it to typical discomfort.
Despite seeking advice, the pain persisted.
"Six months into pregnancy, meron na akong mga nararamdamang sakit sa may hips," she recalled.
"Hindi ko actually ma-pinpoint noon kung sa hips, sa leg, sa likod or sa puwitan. Yun yung mga struggles ko noon."
She added, "Nagtanong-tanong ako sa mga doktor and friends ko na naging mommy na rin, and lahat naman sila sinasabi na it’s part of pregnancy.
"So nung nanganak ako, wala rin talaga akong time na pansinin kung ano ba talaga yung mga masakit sa katawan ko."
UNDERGOING THERAPY
Undeterred by the pain, Angelica continued physical activities like yoga, assuming the discomfort would eventually go away.
It took her most recent trip to Palawan to realize that the excruciating pain in her hip area only multiplied, making walking a nearly impossible feat.
Upon returning home, medical professionals swiftly recommended therapy and provided medication compatible with her breastfeeding routine.
Initially, her condition responded well to therapy alone. However, this effectiveness was short-lived, as she started encountering sporadic pain, which eventually became more persistent.
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NEW TREATMENT
Angelica's journey took a unique turn when her fiancé, Gregg Homan, took her to a bone specialist.
The innovative treatment involved extracting plasma from her own blood, creating a customized therapy to halt the progression of necrosis.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) was injected directly into the affected bone, a procedure she described as unexpectedly painful.
"Namatay na yung mga bones ko sa balakang. Kaya pala hirap na ako maglakad," Angelica realized.
"Nung una, ang sabi sa akin ay surgery, parang joint replacement na parang nakakatakot pakingan.
"So naghanap ako ng doctor na magkakaron ng conservative approach.
"So bumalik kami sa pag-saksak ng PRP sa hips ko. This time, nag-drill sila ng hole.
"In-inject nila yung PRP directly doon sa dead bone. Di ko inakala masakit siya, tulo nang tulo yung luha ko."
MIND'S HEALING POWER
Amid the physical and emotional challenges, Angelica maintains an optimistic outlook, believing in the mind's power to heal.
She confessed, "Nakaramdam ako ng awa sa sarili ko na, 'Bakit ako, bakit sa akin nangyari ito?'
"Kasi ang cause ng avascular necrosis ay steroids abuse," she laughed in shock, stating that she has never incorporated steroids use in her lifestyle.
Despite the surprising revelation, the Kapamilya actress remains grateful that the ailment was identified, and immediate actions were taken.
Supported by her family, she remains steadfast in her prayers for a swift and safe recovery as she looks forward to returning to work next year.
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