Day 1 Chemo 4. Thu 9/21/2017 "Trials coming along during chemo schedules"

Day 1 Chemo 4. Thu 9/21/2017 04:30PM

I had noticed that once my chemo schedule is approaching blessings and trials come intertwined. God usually gives me a lot of patients in the clinic. And there are also stresses that come along either coming from my husband, from my father, brother or perhaps from other sources. One of which was the trials like my mom getting a stroke exactly on my 3rd chemo cycle and then at dawn on my 4th cycle, I had been awakened by a smoky smell which came from the grounded electrical outlet that we had to turn off the main breaker because we could already see the smoke coming heavily from the outlet. Then on the first post-chemo day at dawn, I had to be awakened again by my brother’s very loud voice saying bad words because he was drank and most likely have taking illegal drugs.

While I’m doing today’s journal there is a heavy downfall of rain. Thunder and lightning was really strong and again  the roof is leaking with water and then later realizing flood is already inside the house. All we could do is pray to God for the rain to stop.

Day 0 Chemo 4. Wed 9/20/2017 "Finally done with my last cycle of chemo"

Day 0 Chemo 4. Wed 9/20/2017 05:10PM

4th Round of Chemotherapy
Finally I’m done with my last cycle of chemo though SGPT (Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase) was elevated. SGPT are enzymes that are normally present in the liver and heart cells. SGPT is released into the blood when the liver or heart are damaged. The only new thing that I took prior to my labs was the concoction that we made composing of apple cider vinegar, honey and garlic. Maybe it’s not a good combination with my meds that’s why my SGPT were raised. As far as I remember, ever since, my SGPT was always normal and this time it was elevated more than twice from the highest cut-off. Hopefully, in God’s mercy on my repeat labs after a week, it will go back to normal like my creatinine. Have mercy on me, Lord. I said goodbye to all the chemo staffs and gave them cake just to put a smile on their faces and told them that I will invite them on my 100th birthday. I also tried to influence my two seatmates to go non-dairy, no yeast, no butter, no caffeine because both their cases are recurrence of breast cancer. They’re both supposed to be breast cancer survivors and now they’re back with it once more. May God forbid recurrence on me. I will try my best to continue my advocacy to eat and live healthy and see my son be a man of values and so as be a man of success. A self-made man like my guardian angel. I will celebrate my 100th birthday conscious, coherent, cooperative, afebrile, ambulatory with normal vital signs. While I’m doing this journal, Zac’s teacher called me, informing that Zac is one of the achievers in their class and the awarding is this coming Friday, September 22, 2017. So I called my husband if he could attend because I could not and he said, yes. Again, I got a lot of blessings through the efforts of my good friend “Dr. Roselyn Yu” and from my previous OB-Chairman “Dr. Dolores Perez” then from:

1. Pogs Cebu
2. Dr. Cora Quijano
3. Dr. Gina Jiao-Cal
4. Dr. Asuncion “Chona” Tremedal
5. Dr. Liz Salarda
6. Dr. Rowena “Weng” Manzano

Then from D.R. Nurses from the USA:

1. Mila Jumao-As Estivore
2. Ruby Villamor
3. Mael
4. Apple
5. Emelyn
6. Maida

Thank you, Lord! Again, thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. To all my colleagues and friends here and abroad. P.S. I would like to say my special thanks to Amy and TJ Magallanes for their generosity. Good night everyone! Love, love, love. Peace, peace, peace.

Day 20 Chemo 3. Tue 9/19/2017 Preparation for last Chemo Cycle

Day 20 Chemo 3. Tue 9/19/2017 05:17PM

I have just finished my labs for tomorrow’s chemo. I am hoping that all the lab results are normal so I can proceed with my last chemotherapy.

I was not able to do the journal yesterday because when I got home, I felt exhausted already. We had 35 patients catered in the clinic yesterday from 10:00AM to 5:00PM. I didn’t feel tired during and after the clinic, but when I was driving on the road the drain of energy seemed to have gotten me so badly that I felt like I was dead tired. Blame it on the traffic or whatever, the energy seemed to have waned so much that I just ate dinner and went straight to bed to rest leaving my journal with just a blank slate.

Sleep always works its magic. Upon waking up, my body has got back all its propulsion. Just right in time to follow through my usual routine of catering my daily patients. Clinic wasn't jam packed with patients, so it gave me ample time too, to drive myself from SRP Talisay City where my clinic is, to PSH (Perpetual Succour Hospital) and had my laboratory done in preparation for tomorrow's chemotherapy. Like I mentioned in the beginning, I am hoping that lab results would all show normal so the chemo session can go as planned.

Upon reaching home I tried to scribble right away and filled my journal with my thoughts of the day. That way, I will have extensive sleep during the night as preparation for my last cycle of chemo.

Thank you to my niece, Ate Sinead for tidying my room. Thank you to Eunice Salinas for giving me a bouquet of flowers as a surprise cheer for me in having a blissful energy.

In God’s mercy, everything will go smoothly tomorrow. Aja!!!

Day 18 Chemo 3. Sun 9/17/2017 "delicious organic vegan and non-dairy diet - Heal the World"

Day 18 Chemo 3. Sun 9/17/2017 09:35PM

I was able to wake up at 4AM though I didn’t have a good sleep because I slept in a folding bed set-up in our living room. This was of course due to the fact that there was an electrical problem with the outlet that got busted last night. A situation that forced me to evacuate from my own room and took refuge at the living room instead.

We were able to leave exactly 5AM and my first degree cousin, Noel Acosta, fetched us on time. Only Ate Sinead, “Bebskie” and I were his passengers. Our trip to Danao City was comfy because there was no traffic and it wasn’t that hot.

In the wake, the conversation was focused on healthy lifestyle because I was asking them if Auntie Precy was on non-dairy, organic or vegan diet and they said, she was not on it. I was encouraging them, my cousins, aunties, nieces, nephews and in-laws that since vitamin B17 deficiency runs in the family, then why don’t we all start a healthy lifestyle. I even gave them an idea that we will make the organic food readily available or accessible and less expensive and the aim is to make a healthy, delicious, organic vegan and non-dairy diet for our children’s future. I even made a joke out of the song “Heal the World”. I sung it as loud as I can so that everyone could hear.

They were so fascinated in the idea and I said in God’s mercy, it will be realized. I shared this to Jerome Noel in our conversation that night. I told him that I have a cousin who is also very interested in my intention and I think they both have a lot of ideas too because they’re both techy. In God’s time, hopefully we can put a team and do the first step.

I got tired from our trip but I was still able to cook for dinner. The Beef Caldereta which I served at home really made me sweat out, but again, worth the effort because it turned out delicious.

Day 17 Chemo 3. Sat 9/16/2017 "Electrical Outlet got busted"

Day 17 Chemo 3. Sat 9/16/2017 08:15PM

As promised, I will try my best to drink up the apple cider vinegar, honey and garlic every morning and so I did although the taste is getting stronger each day. The sour taste on my throat easily gets washed off upon drinking right away with water but the garlic taste that lingered in my throat was not pleasant at all. I like garlic bread, garlic rice but garlic breath? Not really! But again, for the sake of good health, I will endure this!

We didn’t have much patients in the clinic so when I got home, I headed straight to my room to sleep when all of a sudden the electrical outlet got busted. So, I rested in the sofa in our living area instead and slept there. I couldn’t be with nieces because their bedroom might be infectious owing to the fact that, Steffi had colds and my son had on and off cough secondary to his allergies.

Though I wasn’t so comfy sleeping in the living room, I tried to sleep early because we need to leave at 5AM for our visit to Danao City for Auntie Precy’s wake.

Day 16 Chemo 3. Fri 9/15/2017 "Remembering the mom of Dr. Prado"

Day 16 Chemo 3. Fri 9/15/2017 11:20PM

I went home early from work, because I attended Dr. Vilma Prado’s mom birthday celebration. There had been many celebrations lately and undeniably, life deserves to be celebrated. Though Dr. Prado’s mom had passed away already 2 years ago, still, she (Dr. Prado) continued to celebrate her mom's birthday every year. We started with a holy mass at San Roque’s church in Cebu City then we had dinner at their residence in Mambaling Cebu City. What she had been doing for her mom was really noble. Keeping the memory of her mom alive throughout the years is but a proof of her undying love to her mom. It was a blessing to be one of those invited to witness such devotion to a mom. Driven by such wonderful inspiration I ended up staying late in the party. That gave me a chance to return the blessing with a favor by driving Dr. Vilma Prado’s secretaries to their respective drop-off.

When I got home, I had a conversation with my guardian angel about his update on “To Live a 100 Years”. A conversation which triggered me to talk about the birthday celebration event, when I told the guests that despite being stricken with cancer, I am still aiming to live a 100 years. A resolve with fortitude to celebrate life no matter what circumstances life may bring, that's why they always see me in this residence every special occasion.

My cousin “Bebskie” confirmed our plan of going to my Auntie Precy’s wake to Danao this Sunday. She also told me that she will shoulder the expenses. Everything will be covered and as for me I only have to be strong and healthy always. By God’s mercy, I know I will live through a 100 years.

Day 15 Chemo 3. Thu 9/14/2017 "Aunt Precy - passed away due to cancer"

Day 15 Chemo 3. Thu 9/14/2017 05:57PM

There had been a sad news. My Auntie Prescilla “Precy” Maroda, a first degree cousin of my mom passed away due to cancer. A week ago, I mentioned about my relatives who have cancers and she was one of those in the journal that I have mentioned. Although, it’s sad… but now, she’s already with our creator. From now on, there will be no pain and sufferings anymore. She’ll be at peace now.

Although I cried when I got the news via text message from my cousin Ma. Concepcion “Bebskie” Acosta. I got emotional while reminiscing our meet up last May this year in Singapore. My cousin Jerry Paul “Jep 2x” Acosta’s had his birthday celebration in Singapore and we both came. The timing was really right because they also had their family vacation just the same time with us. It was actually an entire family vacation. Her husband, all her children and grandchildren were on that trip. I could still remember during that meeting, I told her that I have another mass on the right side of my breast which I planned to be excised once I get back home to Cebu. And time did fly so fast, because after that meeting, I got that saddening text message. We planned to visit her wake this Sunday in Danao City.

After receiving that sad news, the burning desire in my heart continued to grow even stronger to aim for complete healing and to live a 100 years in God’s mercy. I will do everything to fight for this Vitamin B17 deficiency and I am claiming the victory now. I will own it and I shall live a 100 years.

God is good. Life is good. God is bigger than any problems in this world. Life is easy. All good things will come to me.

Day 14 Chemo 3. Wed 9/13/2017 Apple Cider, Garlic and Honey Concoction

Day 14 Chemo 3. Wed 9/13/2017 03:58PM

I forgot to make my journal the day before Wednesday. I was planning on doing it supposedly after I prayed the rosary in the afternoon but I got sleepy afterwards. So, I decided to sleep first.

After dinner, I got a call from my guardian angel and he suggested that we will make a few editing on the journal. After the talk, I was more focused on getting ready to bed because I was a little sleepy at 9PM and haven’t taken my meds yet. So, it slipped my mind already… I just remembered it at dawn when I woke up to pee.

We were able to make the a small portion of the concoction last night on apple cider vinegar, honey and garlic. We made about ¼ cup apple cider vinegar, ¼ cup honey and 3 cloves of garlic. I took 2 tablespoons of it that morning and oh my God! The vinegar really felt terrible on my throat that I have to wash it off by drinking water afterwards. The taste was really awful because even after drinking water, still, the taste of garlic lingered for awhile. I felt like a pork marinated on it. But I have endured its taste for the sake of getting healthy, I would have to drink it every morning from then on. Good luck to me, but I will try my very best.

I was able to reach the clinic early at around 9:30AM. I shared few God’s goodness to the Mead Johnson Representatives who visited me in my clinic. I shared them about my trials and I talked about how great God is to my life. I can’t help but get teary eyed every time I tried to share God’s faithfulness to my life. All of them wishes me well and complete healing. Another thing, Dr. BB Tiu invited me to attend a product presentation at Cafe Laguna in Ayala Center, Cebu City. However, I declined for the reason that as much as possible I should not exposed myself to a lot of people and I need to have ample sleep as possible as I can. Thus, after catering all the patients at about 2:30PM, I decided to leave early so I can rest before time.

Day 12 Chemo 3. Mon 9/11/2017 Hazelnut drink

Day 12 Chemo 3. Mon 9/11/2017 08:53PM

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One of the sacrifices a doctor does is waking up in the wee hours when called with an emergency. And I just had a call this morning, thus I went to SHH (Sacred Heart Hospital) around 2:30AM to do Stat C-Section (emergency caesarian section). The emergency was called, since the baby was having tachycardia (whose heartbeat exceeded the normal resting rate) already and the mother failed to go into active labor even after 18 hours of induction labor. After few hours of critical procedure, we eventually delivered a 4200 grams baby boy. Such a huge baby! A joy to behold for a mom undergoing the slice and for a doctor who woke up in the middle of slumber.

Leaving the hospital around 5:00AM, I arrived home after an hour. Although 6:00AM is the usual waking hour for everyone, there was no prepared breakfast yet that I could munch, so I resorted to warming up and taking my non-dairy hazelnut drink. It's a very tasty nourishment alternative that I used to nourish myself other than the soya milk, another non-dairy product for my vitamin B17 deficiency healing journey. In the middle of all this food preparation act is the integration of my spiritual

nourishment, consisting of praying the holy rosary and morning meditation. Once this supernal sustenance is completed I turned to my juicing enterprise, extracting cold watermelon juice from a frigid watermelon. Though I like to take such juice as cold as it gets, I tried to curtail myself for the time being, since I have been suffering from an on and off voice harshness and nasal congestion. So to while myself waiting for the juice to go into the right temperature before drinking, 2 ripe bananas sufficed to keep me busy on the wait. At least with the bananas my body will have 40% vitamin B6 to synthesize my own serotonin, responsible to keep me happy. To complete the 100% of vitamin B6 I need to consume at least 5 bananas to always keep the blues away.

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Odd as it may seemed to be, hunger forced me to ate my lunch an hour before 12:00noon. I could only surmised that it was because I was awakened early and started working early as well. The regular rhythm was broken and my body had to adopt.

The good thing when you have to start early, you end up finishing early too. And combined with the synergistic potency of all the juicing, banana, hazelnut drink and spiritual boost I did, my day was complete with good vibes and energy in the clinic. I did not even realised I catered 22 patients. Such an incredible day.

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Of course, that's what really happen, during the heavy work, not a single thing that you could feel of exhaustion. Yet upon arrival back home from the clinic I was forced to look for my bed right away so I could doze off as everything had turned heavy. I was really tired and just woke up again for dinner at 6:00PM. Thanks to my family that we have something to eat every time I arrive from work, because with the busy schedule I could not cook anymore most of the time. After dinner, I had to go back to bed again because I still felt sleepy. An urged in me to re-charge fully for the next day. This time I skipped my journal and my PM meditation I followed in the Unsinkable Bounce Back System of Sonia Ricotti. Yes, there are moments when you should also feel your body's capacity and that you have to forego your usual routine. And when you have re-charged you just have to get back to them the next day.

Day 11 Chemo 3. Sun 9/10/2017 "Puto Maya with Sikwate, Ginataang Munggo"

Day 11 Chemo 3. Sun 9/10/2017 11:19PM

Sunday is always the Lord’s day for me. So no matter what, I have to wake up early and go to church. And voila, pretty much full of energy going for the Holy Mass. It’s a blessed Sunday indeed hearing the word of God. Contemplating the many blessings He showered upon me I was so excited after the church to go home and share the uplifting feeling of graciousness to my family.

Upon arriving home, my brother Alson pointed out to have “Puto Maya” for breakfast since there were ripe mangoes in the refrigerator. Adding to the twist of the menu the best combination drink for it was the so called “Sikwate” (hot chocolate drink from dried processed cacao) of whom my brother had already done preparing. It was a perfect pair for “Puto Maya”, a type of rice cake which originated from Cebu. It is made of glutinous rice, fresh ginger and sweetened milk. The sweet, sticky rice is commonly enjoyed with juicy chunks of mangoes and delicate sips of piping hot chocolate drink called “Sikwate”.

After breakfast, I asked them if they would like to have “Ginataang Munggo” with fresh fish, shrimps, squid and mussel shells on it for lunch. I got inspired from our seafood dinner last time from Dr. Cytesse Cambronero’s birthday celebration that I wanted to repeat it at home. Everybody seemed to like my idea that everybody said yes with too much joy in their faces. After having a lavish meal, I felt like all my efforts paid off as I can see the enjoyment to their faces. It seemed like everyone really loved what I prepared for them. Even my estranged husband who joined us for lunch got a full of it that he even brought some of my cooked seafoods at work. Guess I must do it more often and maybe it could change his mind of not pursuing the housing loan he had been asking me to co-sign of which I never wanted to have any part of it because I would like to make sure that expenses in the house of my family as well as my own medical expenses are well catered first before anything superficially extra.. Hi.. hi.. hi.. Just kidding.

Although my husband and I are practically separated, but not legally, I still allowed him to come and visit us every time he will fetch and return my son “Zac” to have a sleepover with him. There are so many reasons and episodes to account of being so futile in continuing to be his wife. At least with our estranged condition he is always respectful to me and never shows any abusive treatment. Unlike when he is typically closed and intimate .  Thus, I relinquished then being his wife, nevertheless I still continued to be a good friend to him. That’s why I am really trying my best to be nice to him, for we are better as friends. Again it’s all about, love, love, love! Peace, peace, peace!

Since, everyone enjoyed our lunch, I told Ate Sinead to take some pictures of our recipes because my Editor-in-Chief is always reminding me to document everything. At the right time, we will be sharing this to the whole world to inspire everyone who will come to read this journal. Although I am really shy when it comes to this thing… because though I really love to cook, I don’t think I look good in the kitchen. All the sweating which is a big no-no for a chef is causing me the pressure. Also, I think that my recipes are tedious to prepare. The cooking itself is quick but the preparation is always long that’s why I seldom cook because it takes a lot of my energy and time. Very typical of me.. Even in my cooking, my patience shows.

Day 10 Chemo 3. Sat 9/09/2017 "bouquet of flowers from Eunice, appreciating small things"

Day 10 Chemo 3. Sat 9/09/2017 10:45PM

Ate Sinead and I attended the birthday celebration of Dr. Cytesse Cambronero at Seafood City in Grand Convention, Banilad Cebu City. We had very sumptuous meal… all seafoods obviously. From shrimps, crabs, scallops, squids to different kinds of fishes. We both enjoyed the dinner. And of course, enjoyed the company of those people who celebrated with Dr. Cytesse Cambronero too. On top of that, Sir Henry Gochuan was also at the party so I took that chance to thank him personally for all his help. We had so much things to do in the party, Ate Sinead and I really both had a great time that we went home late that night.

Before having a little enjoyment that night, I had my clinic at Gaisano Capital SRP with lots of patients catered. Among the patient I remembered was a 15 year old girl with abnormal uterine bleeding or AUB. AUB is bleeding from the uterus that is longer than usual or that occurs at an irregular time, a case that should never be neglected, so I set her up for a diagnostic examination on Monday.

When I got home, I saw the bouquet of flowers on my bed that my daughter Eunice gave me through the help of Steffi. I would have thanked her right away for such graciousness had she been awake. Knowing that it was late already in the evening I just went straight to bed as well, since I was so drowsy myself already.

Cherryl Pelayo Dacua

Indeed, surprises really warm my heart… I got belated gifts for my birthday from Cherryl Pelayo Dacua, the wife of my third degree cousin, Jason Dacua. Cherryl happened to be my patient too, who is pregnant on their 3rd baby. She will be due next month for C/S (Cesarean section) again. An episode that got me excited because I will get to deliver again another baby of hers.

In addition to the gift of Jason's wife, his sister, Miss Mirinisa Dacua, our High School Valedictorian who is now working abroad as a nurse, gave me a gift certificate from Rustan as well. It was a small gesture of appreciation but means a lot to me.

Almost every day, God is giving me surprises and my heart couldn’t thank Him enough for everything. Though I cried a lot this morning, irritated with my husband’s ceaseless suckering me in pursuing of a housing loan that I insisted never to get involve with, still, God has His ways of making me happy on the other hand with the small things that had happened on the same day.

Surprise gifts, flowers and sumptuous dinner are kind of small things for one to appreciate, yet to me is something grand to consider, especially during this time that I am undergoing all this chemotherapy and healing process from cancer. Maybe when you are in this kind of situation, you will learn how to value everything and I’m just glad that I was able to realize that. Perhaps on the grand scheme, the Lord had me bear all these trials that I can value and appreciate even the smallest of things.

Day 8 Chemo 3. Thu 9/07/2017 "Another blessing, the bravest decision I had ever made"

Day 8 Chemo 3. Thu 9/07/2017 09:00PM

It was a relaxing day at the clinic today because there were not much patients. While waiting for patients to come in, I had the chance to check my August income which overwhelmed me. Significant amount had it increased considerably. Another blessing indeed had poured in. And it came from Dr. Pherdes Galbo. Thank you, Lord!

Aside from having a tranquil day, I eventually got a sense of relief from the usual burden of housing loan that my estranged husband had been pestering me for a long time. He eventually let go of it after I told him that I won’t get involved in any housing loan transactions because all I wanted to do is to be healthy and not be bothered by anything else as much as possible as long as I have a roof over my head that I can stay together with my family. What a comfort it was after such a strong stance. I couldn't be much happier. And talking of such happiness, sometimes joy also comes in domino effect, because when I arrived home I was greeted with a surprised bouquet of flowers from my adopted daughter, Eunice. It just made my day to smile capped with a savory dinner of delicious fish soup shared and enjoyed with my whole family.

I did my PM meditation by Sonia Ricotti’s Unsinkable Bounce Back System first before I went to sleep hoping that this time I’ll be having a very peaceful and sound sleep because I felt that there was a big load lifted off my shoulder. It was one of the bravest decision I had ever made, to firmly say to my estranged husband that I don’t want to get involved in this housing loan anymore.

Peace!!!

Day 7 Chemo 3. Wed 9/06/2017 "Home-made Nilusak, The Shallows Movie - Family Bonding"

Day 7 Chemo 3. Wed 9/06/2017 11:35AM

Today, my tummy’s finally back to normal and I’ve returned to my watermelon juice. I almost drank 2 glasses of it while eating breakfast because I found it really refreshing and it kept me hydrated. Also, I had to get ready for my labs today because it’s been a week since my post-chemo. I am hoping all results would come out normal.

After my blood extraction, I went straight home because I wanted to rest and reserve all my energy for my clinic tomorrow. Upon arrival at home I tried to tackle only the light task and not the usual heavy chores. So, I did my accounting, bill updates and finance summary like my expenses which I haven't done for quite a while. So far things went on so well. Thank you Lord!

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At lunchtime, we waited for mom to arrive so we could eat lunch together. She went from her OT/PT (Occupational/Physical) therapy from PSH  (Perpetual Succour Hospital). After having our lunch together, my son, my brother and I bonded and relaxed together over the movie at HBO “The Shallows”. We have watched this movie already but we still enjoyed watching it again. The movie was about a surfer named Nancy who was attacked by a great white shark. Her leg got bitten by the shark and everything became a battle for survival.

I was excited for our snack time though. Because Ate Sinead and her mom, Lea, planned to make “Nilusak na Saging”.  “Nilusak na Saging” (pounded banana) is a delicious native recipe from the Philippines, made from a mashed banana pounded on with a heavy big wooden mortar. This is one of the classic and native Pinoy recipe. Preparing this specialty at home ensured healthy ingredients. And that made me excited because that was what my niece Ate Sinead and her mom Lea were preparing for.

This day had been great, because I had more time bonding with my family. Though I decided to rest early today to make sure that I’ll be ready for tomorrow’s responsibilities. This of course ensures, that I would be able to serve for God’s glory.

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101 Stories of Love, Sacrifice
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Day 6 Chemo 3. Tue 9/05/2017 "couldn't be more happy than seeing my family complete"

Day 6 Chemo 3. Tue 9/05/2017 11:27AM

Thank you God! I finally had a good sleep last night! No more abdominal cramps and I only got up once to pee. But what made it really good was that I was able to sleep with my son on my arms. It had been quite a while that we haven’t done that because most of the times, I was isolated to minimize the possibility of getting a respiratory infection. It made me missed him so much, so I requested Ate Sinead to bring my son to my room to sleep with me.  His warm embrace felt like magic making me sleep well the whole night through.

Another great thing that happened was that while I was doing my rosary, I could not help but notice the red roses blooming beautifully on the vase beside the image of Sr. Sto Niño complimenting his red outfit. My adopted daughter Eunice Salinas gave me a surprise yesterday by sending a bouquet of red roses before she left Cebu City to be back to Tandag, Surigao del Sur. She filed a one week leave just in time for my chemo because she wanted to take care of me. She promised once to me that, when I get old, she would make sure to take good care of me. The call to such service came as a surprise for her, because supposedly, she was expecting the state of old age, yet I fell short of it due to cancer. I would have liked her to stay a bit longer too in Cebu, but she had to go back to her job as a chief of staff to the present mayor of Tandag. I’ve got so much stories to tell about Eunice… I will tell more about her on the next pages to come.

In the mean time, the story I liked the most was regarding my 3 nieces. I felt so happy watching my 3 nieces getting more responsible each day. Most especially Ate Sinead, who had been a big help for me as financial accountant and go to person. Ate Pau too, had been going to school at the same time doing part time job at a call center, earning her keep while pursuing her career studies. Steffi on the other hand wasn't that difficult anymore to ask in doing some errands, although she still have her tantrums every now and then secondary to her love life. Ha.. ha.. Ha. Young one’s problem nowadays are quite a pigment only to the problem we tackle as adult, but the funny thing is that teens would make them like major problems. They are still very clueless about the harsh realities in life.

On the other hand, this morning, my guardian angel “Jerome” was updating me of the “tolive100years.blogspot.ca”, that he made for me to inspire other people. I got so excited but told him I will try to check on it one day at a time because I'm still regaining back my strength. It’s been awhile that I haven’t checked the web because it’s either I’m sick or I’m busy trying to earn while I’m well to make ends meet.

Back to more stories about my family. My sister-in-law “Lea” who kind of disregarded her own kids before, leaving them around to my own care, at least became more visible now in our household after her husband, my brother “Alson” convinced her of the amount of salary she wanted me to allocate so she won’t go back to her on and off job at the beauty parlor. The plan seemed to have worked out because it made her help us in taking care of my mom, our household and her own children. My brother “Alson” also, despite his vocal complaints on whatever stuff in the house along with vices at least showed great responsibility in bringing my son from and to school, and doing a lot of household chores, most especially the cooking of meals. If only he would just stop all his vices and complaints, he would be an ideal father, husband, brother, uncle, cousin and friend because by nature he is funny, caring and very industrious in household chores. Really!!!

I couldn't be more happy than seeing my family complete. My mom and my papa were kind of very sweet to each other also lately. I thought such sweetness was gone already because they had been together for several years and I hadn't noticed it all anymore. But nowadays, papa was lavishly pampering mommy helping her eat her meals on time and making sure she takes her meds regularly. What a wondrous sight.

Having said that, God is so good to me. Everyday in my prayers I say, “God is good. Life is good. Life is easy. All good things will come to me.” And you know what? He’s true to His promises, all those things are happening to me. Despite and inspite of what’s happening to me, to my mom, and to my kind of chaotic family, all I could see are the good things that is happening out of these incidents or trials. There are many things to appreciate around us and I am extremely grateful to God for making me realize that.

Cheers to all of us!!! Love, love, love! Peace, peace, peace!

Day 5 Chemo 3. Mon 9/04/2017 "feelings coinciding the mysteries of the rosary"

Day 5 Chemo 3. Mon 9/04/2017 11:05AM

I’ve been really sick for 3 days in a row after my 3rd chemo that I was not able to write my journal for 3 days. It’s been 3 days of a hell incessant vomiting, severe gastritis, profuse sweating and having no appetite. I could barely eat so I just tried to hydrate myself with Gatorade. Even when the air conditioning is in a low temperature, still, I felt so restless because my head kept on sweating profusely but my lower body part felt so cold. My body temperature was really chaotic that I was not able to rest properly for 2 days because I don’t know how to settle myself. I kept on praying for God’s mercy so that I could be well again and this too shall pass. For those patients who had undergone like mine, I found an article of Cancer Council Victoria outlining how to deal with the side effects of chemotherapy. I hope this link will work for you guys. A pdf copy of this article can be downloaded from this link http://www.cancervic.org.au/downloads/resources/booklets/understanding-chemotherapy.pdf. In terms of prayer, I found this book in Amazon called "Praying for the Cure" by Mary J. Nelson. This is the little description of Amazon about her book:

Buy Now!

Prayer opens worlds of possibilities—but many people still struggle to pray. Praying for the Cure will help you pray, by offering solid biblical reasons to talk to God and specific prayer starters to guide you in prayer for healing from cancer.  A brand-new entry in Barbour’s Shiloh Run Press lineup, this comforting and encouraging book includes topics such as: His Will, His Grace, His Mercy, His Voice, His Timing, His Provision, His Presence, and His Glory. Written by Mary J. Nelson--speaker, minister of prayer, and cancer survivor
--Praying for the Cure will help draw you ever closer to the Ultimate Healer, Jesus Christ.

Good thing Sunday came and I got a little better but I still felt that I have no sufficient energy to go to church. Anyhow, it’s good to have my appetite back, thank you, Lord! On top of that, many thanks as well to my friend, Ms. Eunice Salinas, who’s like a daughter to me for taking good care of me the whole time. She has to wake me up several times to get all the things that I need because I was too weak to get up. My tummy really hurt and I’ve got no energy to keep myself from standing up.

Despite of that, thanks be to God because I felt that I am a lot better now. My abdominal cramps became mild and I could taste the food already. As what I’ve told my guardian angel, my feelings coincide with the mysteries of the rosary. Friday is a sorrowful day, while Sunday is a glorious day and then Monday is a joyful day. Though I’m  not 100% back to my feet yet, I felt that I have more energy and ready to gain my strength back again. I am excited to get back into doing the usual things that I do, like doing the household chores but definitely not so soon. In God’s perfect time, instead.

As promised, I will continue to fight, fight, fight! Cheers to my 100th birthday celebration!!!