To all the friends and family of Dr.Thelma Tupasi,
Dr.Tupasi was a stalwart advocate for all sick and dying patients, especially those affected by tuberculosis.Even more, her caring bedside manner extended to those families affected by TB. I know. I was one of them.I will not forget how she approached me along with her team of doctors from the Philippines.Almost 15 years ago, it was an evening in Decatur(east of Atlanta), GA after I had presented and performed a series of songs reliving Claudia’ s, my late wife, and Emma’ s, our daughter, untimely and unnecessary deaths due to TB meningitis.
Dr.Tupasi’ s request was direct, sincere and heartfelt. She wanted me to come to the Philippines to advocate and share this story.A few months later I obliged.she treated me and my mother with the world renowned Filipino hospitality, introducing me to the staff of the Tropical Disease Foundation and most especially to the patients.
Surrounded by caring audience members and photos of TB affected persons(including Claudia) I knew at that moment we both had the same aim in life which was to prevent unnecessary suffering and death due to TB.She knew.She was one of them.From personal experience and several occasions, she did not hide from view her own bout with the disease.How it felt to be taking enormous amounts of toxic medicines for months must have seemed endless and intolerable.Yet, she persevered.That experience set forth a life and career where patients, the people behind the stats, were the center of her extraordinary medical and public health practice and as God’ s humble servant, Dr.Tupasi treated them all with dignity and respect.
We are all better having been in her circle of love and empathy.
Sumalangit nawa ang kanyang kaluluwa.