A
lot of you will wonder, disagree and question me
on how could the Big C (cancer) be a blessing in
disguise. Well, you have to believe because I
was able to conquer the dreaded disease and
experienced real blessings including those in
disguise in my fight. Here’s my story.
I
used to enjoy life a lot, travel here and
everywhere, gimmicks after office hours and most
of all shopping! I never thought that one day my
life would turn around 180 degrees.
In
April 2002, my best friend Anne, was afflicted
with breast cancer, Stage 2A. I was torn and
cried a lot when I knew of her disease. While
Anne was going through her treatment, I felt a
lump in my right breast. I was so scared because
I too might have the same disease. To make my
long story short, I consulted a Medical
Oncologist, had my biopsy excision and
unfortunately also had breast cancer.
Anne
cried when she knew of my sickness, all I could
say to her was I would like to share in her
sufferings because we are best friends, rather,
"breast friends." I believed that Anne’s earlier
bout with cancer carried me through my
triumphant fight. While Anne has peacefully
returned to our Saviour last September 2006, she
touched so many lives of cancer survivors like
me.
Today, as I celebrate 5 years of being cancer
free, I would like to look back and narrate how
the Big C turned my fight into real blessings,
and blessings in disguise.
Being single, I used to be out of the house most
of the time, and my weekends were spent with
friends, not with my family. I rarely had a
chance to bond with my ageing parents. My
routine changed, however, since my cancer
treatment would require me to stay 24/7 at home
for 6 months with my parents, walking, eating,
laughing and praying. I did the cooking and took
charge of the household chores on chemo days,
however, my parents took care of me by simple
gestures of massaging my back and making sure
that I was comfortable when I slept. My sickness
allowed me to have the best times of our lives
together.
As
we are a small family, the illness made us
closer and united through prayers. My eldest
brother abroad regularly kept in touch and
checked on my condition. Financial support was
likewise sent which augmented the costs of my
treatment. My youngest sister and her family
organized prayer brigades and "bombarded" the
heavens with requests for healing.
My
stay in the house also strengthened the bond
between me and my "adopted daughter". Looking
after her was included in my daily routine, and
I realized that I had experienced happiness and
pleasures while we were together. I was also
able to bring back the child in me once more.
She also cheered me up after each chemo session
by being at my side, kissing and massaging my
back. God sent an angel to me through Ara.
My
relationship with my officemates improved so
much as they were my cheering squad during chemo
sessions in the hospital. Oftentimes, they would
bring my favorite food and prayed before my
chemo started. My Oncologist chided that I have
a whole bunch of cheering squad in the hospital
room.
I
also had the opportunity to let go of material
things which I cannot bring when I leave this
world. This dawned on me when one day when I was
lying on my bed after my chemo session, I saw my
piles of shoes and bags that I may not be able
to wear anymore should my condition worsened.
This prompted me to give some of my material
possessions to my relatives and friends. I felt
good afterwards because my material burdens were
unloaded.
My
love for reading was revived because my idle
times would be spent on reading books and
magazines on cancer and inspiring stories of
survivors. Having read adequate information
materials about cancer, made me confident that I
was armed to fight the disease.
I
have gained lots of friends, healthy and with
ailments alike. I knew by heart that when I met
someone wearing a headscarf or a hat, we were in
the same boat…. we are cancer survivors. The
smiles we gave to one another assured each one
of us of being healed. I have likewise made it a
point to reach out to cancer survivors, shared
my experiences to those who wanted to listen and
offered prayers for healing.
I
had practiced the art of patience and
perseverance. Due to the many cases of cancer, I
had to wait for long hours during visits to my
Oncologist and endured the chemo sessions, which
usually lasted for a day as two types of chemo
drugs were slowly injected in my veins while the
third one was pushed through the dextrose for 24
hours.
While chemo sessions were dreadful, the good
side of the treatment was the pampering I
received through the daily rations of food,
fruits and sometimes cash, even from people I
did not know. Weekly get-together parties were
organized by relatives and friends, which filled
our house with laughter, while our dining table
overflowed with nutritious food.
After my 6-month treatment, I was able to use my
gift of garb and know how in training through
the advocacy sessions and seminars on cancer
prevention. Participants were co-employees who
were taught by the resource persons on the
importance of conducting regular breast
examination as an important facet of a woman’s
life.
By
the way, I still have to deal with my diabetes
aside from cancer. I am insulin dependent and my
blood sugar sometimes reaches 200mg. As diabetes
is also a dreaded disease, I am also cautious
with what I eat, especially sweets. Exercise is
also a good antidote for this illness.
With
these blessings, the Big C has disguised itself
to enable me to make amends with my life,
especially with my relationships.
More
importantly, the sickness led me to tightly
cling to the Lord, who was all present during my
battle with cancer. He carried me through
everyday of my life, lifted me when I felt
anxious and afraid, enlightened me when I felt
scared, made me ask forgiveness to those I have
offended, and in turn, gave pardon to those who
have hurt me. He healed me of emotional and
physical pains. Further, my faith grew a
millionth fold knowing that God is so merciful
and loving. In return, I am serving Him by being
a lector in our parish where I am able to
proclaim His words.
Lastly, allow me to offer this article to all
the cancer survivors who have surpassed this big
test in life and who are with me as I proclaim
God’s greatness and blessings, even those given
in disguise.
