Kris Aquino bids friends, followers goodbye for now as treatment continues in the US
As Kris Aquino continues treatment for her rare autoimmune disease in the United States, she bid her friends and followers in the Philippines goodbye "for now and the next few years."
In May, the Queen of All Media revealed that her illness, identified as Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (EGPA), had become "life-threatening" and sought long-term treatment in the US. Her attending physician Dr. Niño Gavino explained her condition further in Aquino's latest Instagram post.
"The subsequent nine to 12 months will be crucial for us to see if she can achieve remission and continue the regimen further because to survive, Ms. Aquino will have to make whichever combination works, her lifetime maintenance medicine," Gavino said.
The doctor also said that with no medical intervention, life expectancy of those with EGPA is at about 25%.
"With the proper treatment five-year survival rate is at 62%," he added.
According to Gavino, it will take a minimum of 18 to 24 months for them to know if her treatments worked.
Since the medication that Aquino will be only available in the United States, her stay in the country will be longer. In preparation for this, the TV personality said her goodbyes to friends and followers in the Philippines.
"I'll miss you my friends and followers very much. Time is now my enemy, naghahabol kami hoping na wala pang permanent damage to the blood vessels leading to my heart," Aquino wrote on June 3.
"For now and the next few years, sadly, it's goodbye. Praying na kakayanin ng katawan ko itong matinding pagsubok," she added.
Prayers and support poured in from celebrities and fans in the comments section of the post.
"Pagaling po kayo, Ms. Kris," commented Neri Miranda.
"Love you, Tita!" said Darren Espanto.
"Will miss you so much and the boys. See you in the US," wrote Darla Sauler.
"Sending you love and light ate. May God's healing hand be upon you," added Camille Prats.