mybreastmessenger

This morning was the third working morning of the New Year after we, employees, have started finding normality (if there is such a thing) after the storm Sendong (international name: Washi) washed out many parts of our city.

It was less than a month after I came home from my radiation treatments in Cebu when another life changing event rocked my world.

The devastation was extreme:

I was introduced to a new friend in the sisterhood Tita M, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006. She was under a study back then and she was not on Tamoxifen after her surgery and chemo. Sadly, the cancer recurred in 2010. While she was on herceptin, her 17 year old daughter, fresh out of first year college gave birth to a baby girl. And then in December 16, 2011, in the middle of the night, Tita M had to climb up to the hill near her home to be saved from the flood waters that rose to the ceiling level, submerging villages that were in low lying areas of our city.

I was flabbergasted with Tita M’s story. A woman, sporting a bonnet and a mask, going through the side effects of herceptin had to climb a hill to save her life.

This morning, one of my students’ mothers came to school to find out if classes had resumed. She and I have known each other since high school and we are well acquainted with each other. After greeting each other with the customary kiss and Happy New Year, she said “Teacher! My daughter said you lost all your hair because you have cancer!”

What could I say?!

I just smiled.

On the week that I came home from Cebu, I went to church in the university chapel. There I saw familiar faces I would see at church. One such girl, a couple of years older than myself, always smiling and cheerful was there, as she had been years past.

Seeing her made me think “I’m finally home.”

Then on the same night that Tita M had to navigate the steep hill near her home to save herself and her family, the girl I would often see at church together with her mom and dad  perished in the flood.

Thinking of her untimely demise made me contemplate on how only God can tell when we’re going. After all, He is the one who owns our lives and only He can tell when and how.

I’ve been thinking to myself:  “That friendly girl who seemed to be in the pink of health when I saw her is now with Our Lord, while I and Tita M, both survivors are still here.  God has His Ways.  May we be worthy of this chance.  In Jesus Name.  Amen.”

Somehow, I feel braver.  Thankful and braver.

God bless us all.