Hello, everyone! We are overwhelmed by the outpour of support from friends, family, and even random people! Our hearts are full of gratitude for everyone who has been God's instrument to assure Ereka that He is with her in this fight. Her life is nothing short of a miracle! Despite the frailty of her body, she can still smile and talk about God's greatness. Her faith and trust in the Lord is greater than cancer or any illness that afflicts the body. May her faith inspire us to appreciate the good things in life, be it big or small. And may her positivity help us overcome any hardship that we encounter.

For great is the Lord, our healer, our refuge. In Him alone, we are saved.

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Here's an update from Ereka:

Hi everyone! This is me, Ereka. Posting something to extend my overwhelming thanks to everyone who supported me and those who prayed for me. I can't put to words how blessed and thankful I am for all of you. So I pray instead. You guys are my miracles. 😭 And I decided as well to post an update about my condition kay I know I owe it also to everyone of you. Please know that you are all in my prayers. May you continue to pray for me and my family as well. May the Lord Jesus Christ bless all of you. 💕

🎯🎯🎯

(Psalm 91:14-16)

The Lord says, "I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue them and honor them. I will satisfy them with a long life and give them my salvation."

As you all may know, I was rushed in the hospital last May 29. Things happened so unexpectedly fast that day. Upon arrival at the hospital, my vital signs were not good. Heart rate shoot up to 144 which was way above from the normal 60-90. My blood pressure dropped to 70/40. I was hurriedly given fast drops to keep me hydrated. I was also given Voluven to help me compensate my blood pressure after several times of trying to improve it but to no avail and then I was put to oxygen. I was adviced to have a blood transfusion, AGAIN. Good thing my temperature was good and I am conscious. Praise God I was even able to smile for a picture while trying out the oxygen. God's grace!

For most people, they might think I was just taking things lightly despite the seriousness of the situation because I could still laugh, I could still crack some jokes and be at peace despite all the rush attention of the nurses around me. But I say, it was all God's doing. He gave me His peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. And I can't be thankful enough to God for this miracle. Because of Him, I can always find the good in every bad situation I am in. Praise be to Jesus!

I dreaded the fact being rushed at the hospital with an ambulance but I chose to enjoy the ride. I got to experience riding a super fast car and it was cool despite the fact na I felt like mahulog ko anytime. I dreaded the idea of being in a position that I'd be needing a machine to help me breath but I chose to enjoy it and had fun actually breathing in that menthol feels oxygen. I was even laughing the first time I've heard this crazy sound the machine makes everytime I swallow. So I swallow and swallow.

I was in close monitoring for the rest of the day and praise God, my vital signs stabilized already by May 30 and then the blood transfusion followed which was done in series. My poor little veins. That day was also the day we had the chance to talk with my surgeon and presented the plan of undergoing the operation for the ligation of the bleeder in which they'll find that main vein that causes the bleeding and will tie it.

With God's strength, I found my voice saying okay with the operation. I even asked my parents a piece of ice cream (which was supposedly a big bawal 😂) as a reward for my courage and bravery.

As a preparation for the operation, I had a chest X-ray and pelvic CT Scan along with series of bloodworks. Later that night, May 31 my surgeon came again and told us that based on the scan's result we can't push through with the ligation but instead have an operation for full extraction of my tumor. Upon hearing everything I felt relief wash over me because finally, I can be free from this tumor I've been suffering for years now. Although it would be a risk for my life undergoing this operation, I was determined to go for it. For my confidence are not in the hands of my surgeon and the medical team but in the hands of the Father who knows and is capable to save my life. He was my ultimate healer. My great physician. My good, good Father.

But just like in the movies, every good news is followed with a bad one. My surgery plan has a catch: I might be giving up some of my organs and worst, my whole left leg. Chances of survival is still undetermined. And this made the story different. Red flag. My family and I decided not to disclose further details. We opted for other solution we can choose since we are fighting with time. I am still experiencing bleeding from time to time and my hemoglobin level is still in close monitoring.

At this point, no matter how strong I am, no matter how brave I have become, I became vulnerable. Breakdown. I've cried my heart out and poured out everything to God. I even came to the point asking again "Ngano sa ako pa man ni nahitabo? Unsa diayng dakong sala na akong nabuhat? Unsa diay ko ka special para hatagan ani kadako nga test sa ako faith?" I cried and cried. Good thing, my family was there. So willing to catch me at my downfall. My bittersweet downfall. And then I surrendered.

I surrendered to the One who is able to move mountains. I surrendered to the One who can walk on water. I surrendered to the One who can raise the dead. I surrendered to the One who can make the blinds - see, the leppers - walk. I surrendered to the One who can remove the "t" in the word "can't". I surrendered to the One who in return surrendered and gave Himself at the cross for my sins and for my healing. I surrendered to the One who who is able to do miracles in my life. I realized, I have already won my battle against Cancer the moment I let God fight for me.

And just because we don't see anything happening doesn't mean God is not working.

I know God may delay our request, but He will never disappoint our trust.

After discussing with my doctors, my family and I came to the decision that we will say No (despite knowing the fact of the severity of the risk of not undergoing it) for the operation. For now. We opted for Chemotherapy. For the third time. If only I have other choices, I would never let myself undergo this horrible process again but I got no choice. I wanted to live. I must live.

My chemotherapy drugs alone will be costing around fifty thousand pesos per session and I'll undergo with it for 1 to 2 sessions, enough to make my tumor smaller so we could have bigger margin during the operation, enough to save my leg and my other organs.

I know this will be a tough fight now. More than ever. Marking a danger in my life. But I will be still knowing who is ahead of me. Fighting for me. I know the works of the devil will never prevail against the power of God in me. And His peace, keeps my thoughts and my heart at rest as I trust in Him.

And even if I fail in the future, I know God's unconditional love will never falter and His mercies are always new every morning. This time, I am not afraid of tomorrow because I know God is already there.

Again, THANK YOU to each of you who prayed, who sent well wishes, and who supported my fundraising. I will be forever grateful for your presence in my life. You are the angels sent from above. And if it's not too much, may you continue to pray for my recovery and for the success of my chemotherapy which will start tomorrow by the way and for the strength that my family will need as we embark in this new journey in our lives.

Let the battle begin. Game face on. 💪

There is nothing more precious than a sound and healthy body. You don't realize that unless you are deprived of it. So be thankful for what you have dear. May all of you be blessed and have God's best in everything.

God bless everyone!