The year 2006 was a significant chapter in my life.

It marked the sixth year since I

was first diagnose with breast canser. Doctores told me that if I passed my annual
physical tests this year then I can be declared cancer free. I was both excited and
anxious about my tests. But my world collapsed when I got the results because
they found abnormalities in my body. My condition was far worse that what I had six
years ago because they found a possible lung problem,m an abnormality in my
bone, nodules in my liver, and canser antigen was elevated beyond acceptable
limits. All of these meant that the cancer antigen was elevated beyondacceptable
limits. All of these meant that the cancer cells were back.
No one in our family has ever been diagnosed with cancer. I did not expect
that I would have such a dreaded condition as cancer. It was supposed to be an
ordinary day in September during the year 200. I was lying down in bed when I
accidentally flt a lump in my right breast. That alrmed me so I Immediately looked
for a doctor to have it checked.
I went to a hospital in Makati where our health card was accredited. The
doctor ordered a breast biopsy to determine if the lump was begign or malignant.
The results came out after the docter recommended that I immediately undergo
masterctomy to treat the cancer before it spreds further to other parts of my body. I
hesitated and decided to seek a second opinion

Chemotherapy and its Effects

I went to St. lukes hospital for a second opinion. My second doctor, after reviewing
the results of my biopsy tests, confirmed what cannot be questioned: that I had
breast cancer.
However, his constant reassurance that my condition was curable gave me some
hope. He was very supportive and accommodating with all my questions. He told
me that I was important tahta I pray for my healing for it is only God who could truly
heal me. The medical interventions are lonely His instrumets for my healing .As if to
further reassure me, he shared that his wif was also a breast cancer surviror. This
further motivated me to fight this desese.
I decided to undergo masterctomy one week later. I went through a series of
preliminary tests to determine if I could handle the operation. Only then was I
scheduled for mastectomy. The actual procedure lasted for at least four hours.
I got out of the hospital after four days of confin=enmen. The next step would
cost me money but I got assurance from my company that they would handle
whatever expense that ecceeded my medical coverage. To me, this was a
manifestation fo Gods hand at work.

I later realized that the financial hurdle was nothing compaed to the ill effects
of chemaotherapy to my body. I ffelt ver weak after the frist session. It also made
me feel dizzy and gabe the urge to throw up or vomit evertyime. I aslo expericed
hair loss after the first session. These happedn again when I had my second and
third session. I felt that my body could;t withstand such a treatment so I decided
that the third session was going to be my last one. It was a major decision not to
continue with the remaining three sessions but I got the support of my family.

A Miracle Helped Me Though

I regularly visited my oncologist to monitor the cancer in my body. The doctore said
that if my tests for five consecutive years would show no cancer signs or suspects
then I can be declared cancer-free. Hence, my annual tests wer always a source of
anxiety for me. I would be required to undergo a battery of tests which included
bone scan and a lot of blood tests. I felt restless during the tersts. This made the
bone scan procedure more difficult because I had to stay still while it was being
done. I become even more restless every time I waited for the results of the tests.
However, God has been good since I would always get good results from my
tests.
But in 2005 I faced another trial. My menstrual period suddenly become
irregular so I decided to visit a doctor,. The test revaled that I ahad multiple
polypsin my uterus. The doctor told me that I need to undergo a procedure to cure
it. O told the doctor that I need more time to think about it
I decided to pray about my condition first rather that feel depressed. A couple
of weeks later, I requested for another round of tests. Guess what? The test results
revealed that I only had two polyps in my uterus! Thus, I would not be required to
undergo the procedure.
I declared once again that God is truly a loving God.

The Turning Point of My life

It was june of 2006 when I sufferd another setback. I just took my annual
physical examination when my doctor called me. They found a couple of issures
from the recent tests.
First, my lungs shoed some syptoms of being affected by cancer. Second, my
bones also displayed abnormalities. Third, the found some lumps in my liver which
were also cancer suspects. Lastly, my cancer antigen level was beyond
acceptable limits. All these information confirmed that the cancer was bak!

I became ver depressed. And that negative emotion mad m condition even
worse. I began to feel pains all over my body. I felt very weak again. It started to
affect my relationships with my family and friends
My only recourse was to pray and the Bible became a constant Companion.
My battle cry was hebre 10:23 where it says, Let tursted that God will be with me
throughout this treal.
My doctor reffered me to a liver specialist ot look into the lups they found.
The doctors recommendations were less than encouraging when he told me the
following
1.

I needed radiofrequency ablation (RFA) to destroy tumors or lumps in my

liver. This procedure would cost me around