Ereka against Ewing Sarcoma, stage III

Ereka against Ewing Sarcoma (Stage 3 cancer)

from Ereka's FB post:

""Though the sorrow may last for the night, His joy comes with the morning."

Last year, May 7, has been a remarkable day for me. Not because I'm celebrating yet another month with my boyfriend and thinking of the surprises I should come up for our anniversary for the next month but because it was the day that I was introduced to the fact that I may have Cancer.

Initial diagnosis: Sarcoma.

I was told I had to undergo a biopsy procedure to see if it was really the case and to know particularly what classification of sarcoma I might do have.

My brain wasn't functioning well that time since I was engulf with the facial expression the doctor gave me. It smelled trouble. A big, enormous trouble.

The doctor kept on talking about the procedure and possibilities, etc, etc, but I wasn't concerned with it yet. My brain kept on pressing that face onto my memory and the word Sarcoma clouded the heck of me.

I was truly disturbed until I got back at the office. I was disturbed as I continue to work on with the laboratory. I was even disturbed as I was walking. The doctor hasn't concluded or has disclosed anything to us yet since everything is not yet for sure. But there's just something about it that makes me feel I wanted to pack all my things and just go to the farthest place I could find, so as the news might not find me.

As curious as I was, I composed myself and gathered a lot of courage to type that word Sarcoma on the search engine.

💡 Sarcoma: "A malignant tumor of connective or other nonepithelial tissue."

Tumor. Malignant.

Those words. Those were the only thing that has my eyes fixed on and everything went blurry. It was like in the movies that the camera only zooms in to those miserable words with blurry backgrounds. It was real!

My brain definitely decided to shut down with the thoughts of the words malignant, cancer, survival rate, chemotherapy, death, etc..

Words who were just mere medical terms I usually encounter on books and articles but have never imagined I would have to confront with. I've watched other people struggle with it, yes, but never have thought I would, a situation I have never imagined I would be in. I never thought I'll have cancer. But guess what dear, life has a surprising way to slap those "nevers" onto your face. Head-on.

The word surprised is completely inadequate to describe how I felt. Like what the heck?! It's impossible! I was never going to be the person that got cancer. And I have some facts to argue with. First, it was not in our bloodline. Both sides of my parents have no records of cancer, whatsoever. Second, I eat healthy foods. Third, I don't drink nor smoke. And lastly, I am particular with my body and I do exercises regularly to stay fit and healthy.

I was a normal, bubbly, young 24 year old adult who is enjoying the most of her life, her career and who has big dreams for her family and future. Until I was medically diagnosed to have a Stage III, Ewing Sarcoma.

I was initially advised to undergo a neoadjuvant treatment in which I had to go with Chemotherapy that includes 6 cycles before undergoing surgery or operation. These has to be done to minimize the possible complications during my operation due to the size of my tumor of initially 11 x 8.9 x 10 cm.

Since then I've been in and out of the hospital for my series of tests, check-ups, lab procedures, admissions and treatments. Of which had already exhausted all our financial resources. Plus depression, plus anxiety and fears, plus the lost of hope, I wasn't able to continue my first line of Chemotherapy.

But truly, God is faithful to be found by those who seek Him. I would have failed away with depression as the disease consumed me, but my good, good Father redeemed me! He has revealed Himself to me in such a deeper, personal level. And I have been experiencing His love, mercy and grace throughout this season of my life. Wave after wave. He was my confidante. My source of strength. My source of hope. He was the illuminating light at the end of the tunnel I am in.

I'm so grateful that our Saviour doesn't let us fight our battles alone. God knew I needed help and I am eternally grateful to have been blessed with such wonderful people in my life. I was given a second chance to fight back with Cancer. To get back what Cancer has taken away from me.

Last December, I was introduced to a new protocol that has to be administered immediately for my tumor was aggressively growing back having an 18.9 x 18.2 x 19.1 cm with just a short span of 2 months. I had to undergo 4 cycles with 5-day session per cycle of Chemotherapy.

In His name, I have overcome the 4 cycles and had an MRI scan last February 26 showing an interval decrease in size of my previously identified predominantly soft tissue mass with cystic and necrotic components. And yes! God has made it! The mass went down to 8.2 x 7.3 x 11.4 cm and has necrotic components. This means that the remaining tumor has chances of 40% of alive cancer cells and the remaining 60% has been killed or destroyed. God's grace! Indeed, God's name will never ceased to save us.

With this news, my oncologist, Dr. Olaer, has decided to push through with chemo for having such positive results and bigger potential for me not needing to undergo an operation. I was advised to undergo 2 more cycles which totals a 10 days excessive chemotherapy sessions.

I won't say it was a smooth ride for the past 3 months because definitely it wasn't. I was admitted several times because of infection. Bags of blood has been transfused. Worried days spent for not knowing where to get financial support for my treatment. I had my best and worst days but God never left me in all of my days. He was this strong anchor that has kept my head above waters. Refusing to let me drown in the seas of lies the enemy has been throwing at me.

And today, May 7, 2019, I am celebrating and rejoicing with this victory of overcoming Chemotherapy for almost a year now! 💃 My God is mighty to save! Eat that, Cancer! My God is able. Forever author of Salvation.

For my parents, family, boyfriend, friends.. your girl has made it!! 🙋

Though not yet cured (medically speaking), I will celebrate the joy of the fact that I was able to finished my Chemotherapy, because truly, that treatment is something you would never want your love ones or you to experience. It devastates you physically, emotionally and spiritually. But greater is, stronger is, power is, the name of Jesus! In His name, I am healed! All cancer cells be arrested in my body, in Jesus name!

Yes, I've been to dark places.
Yes, I might have lost my hairs and physique.
Yes, I might have a weak body now.
Yes, I might have lose my energy.
Yes, I might have lose my appetite.
Yes, I might have nausea and heart burns later.
Yes, I might not yet be able to walk longer than 20 steps.
Yes, I might still feel and touch a tumor mass.
Yes, I might bleed again but I won't fear no more.

For my God is ABLE! In death, and in life, I'm confident and covered by the power of His great love.

There is a big YES for my complete healing from God. And that is what Cancer CAN'T ever take away from me. I have my living hope! 👊

I might still have to undergo operation, or maybe, radiation therapy. But I will be still. Knowing that God is ahead of me. His will, not mine. I still have to undergo series of test, lab procedures and scans by next month to see the progress of my treatment. And I humbly ask, please, for your prayers for me to have a victorious and favorable results. In Jesus name.

Again, THANK YOU everyone, for those who helped me throughout the process. I can't name you one by one but know that you are all in my prayers and I'll be forever grateful for being a blessing that you are. God will bless your life abundantly for showing your care and love for her warrior daughter.

In every victory, let it be said of me;
My source of strength, my source of hope IS CHRIST ALONE. 🙏👑

And to any of you who's been struggling right now, been having a bad day, had a failing grade, stuck in traffic, been crying over a spilled milk; surrender everything to God and straighten up your crowns. Know whose children are you. Take life one step at a time. Many are in grave. Many are in mortuary. Many are on life supporting machine. Many are sick on bed. Many had worst situation. But you woke up feeling well, you had a chance to see another day. So smile that problem. Be blessed and offer a prayer of thanks to the One who gave you that most precious gift: TIME.

May God be glorified in my life. All praises belongs to Him. God bless everyone!