Lorelei Go, a single mother from the Philippines, has recently opened up about the profound agony of losing all three of her adult sons to cancer within a span of just three years. Lorelei had a close bond with her sons, Rowden, Hasset, and Hisham, from their early years until they tragically passed away in their late twenties.
“I played the roles of both mother and father,” she explained, highlighting the deep connection she had with her children. Lorelei, now 65 years old, revealed that she attended every basketball game to support her sons throughout their lives.
The heartbreaking journey began in 2014 when Lorelei’s eldest son, Rowden, was diagnosed with stage-four liver cancer. She noticed his weight loss and frequent stomach aches but admired his bravery in the face of the diagnosis. Overwhelmed by the news, Lorelei recalls being rendered speechless and breathless.
Despite the immense grief, Rowden’s courage inspired his family to stay strong during his three-week treatment. In a poignant moment, he married his girlfriend, Liezel, in the hospital on June 10, 2014. Tragically, Rowden passed away the following day while Lorelei was at home. The news left her barely able to stand or walk, told Tyla.
Just a month after Rowden’s cremation, the family underwent tumor screenings. Hasset was found to have a sizable tumor, while Hisham had cirrhosis. Hasset required immediate surgery, which initially seemed successful as the tumor was removed, and the doctor assured Lorelei that the remaining part of Hasset’s liver would regenerate.
However, the joy was short-lived as Lorelei learned that Hasset’s cancer had returned and progressed to stage three. Over the course of the following year, Hasset’s health deteriorated, and Lorelei drew strength from her love for him. Hasset, aged 29, passed away on October 24, 2015.
Lorelei continued to find motivation in her youngest son, Hisham, who exhibited extraordinary bravery, having witnessed the suffering of his brothers. Despite their attempts to explore holistic treatments, Hisham’s condition escalated to stage one liver cancer in 2016. In 2017, the family traveled to China for treatment but received devastating news upon arrival—cancer had reached stage four, rendering him ineligible for further therapy.
Hisham chose to stay at home with a private nurse instead of being hospitalized. On November 17, 2017, he passed away. The weight of grief consumed Lorelei, and she recalls collapsing from the overwhelming sadness and pain. She regrets not being present when Hisham took his last breath, considering it the most agonizing aspect of her loss.
Lorelei describes losing Hisham as the “final blow,” but she cherishes the memory of her sons encouraging her not to remain in perpetual sadness. Although five years have passed, she still finds it difficult to believe she endured such a profound loss.
When asked what advice she would offer to other parents, Lorelei implores them not to surrender, no matter how excruciating the circumstances may be. She encourages them to fight for their loved ones, drawing strength from her own challenging journey of loss and resilience.
