Let’s fight Cancer together!

In 2016 November, I was diagnosed with Cervical Cancer 2, at that time it was a shock, but it never made me feel I was sick at all. During and after the treatment, insurance at that time was covered with previous work. However, at the end of 2018, the discovered lymph node with possible metastasis was the nail probing into my head. This time around I am openly asking for any help to help me survive this second round of chemo. In between those 2 years, I have tried to keep afloat, and live a normal life, I was and still am an avid traveler, seeking curiosity all the time. I continue to have the quest for knowledge each time I travel and each time I want to create something brand new. I tried to quench my creative juices each time from quilled earrings to soap making. For me, life is an art and I am an artist who will make the journey colorful and beautiful.

There is still so much more in life in me- accompanied by the will to live. I pray that this simple post touches the hearts of anyone who comes across it and will allow me to continue to cherish every moment that life has to offer to me.

Fast forward to 2021. Here I am again, further tests were made and cancer cells have moved to a new location. However, the tests I had last April will determine if this is a new one (primary) or a reoccurrence that originated from the previous (cervix). These tests are a bit specialized and my family can only do so much to help me (financially) that is. What I love to happen is to know the best chemo drugs for my specific DNA. Since chemo is no longer as effective as it should. I try my best to constantly update myself about the Big C from articles, webinars, and the like. Apparently, cancer cells are able to build allies with other cells or organs in the body. I'd like to compare it to a dormant volcano. It can erupt anytime, hence it is now brewing. :(

Last year, before I had my chemo I was working at a call center. I convinced myself that I can work and have chemo at the same time. I just started work at that company and training began even during the start of the pandemic. I convinced my family that I was doing it for my mental state. But of course, partly it was so I can earn and keep busy and most of all out of the house. Never once did I get a scare from Covid nor did I take tests. The company I worked at adhered to rules regarding social distancing and other government protocols. In fact, we were only 8 people in the training room. Little did I know that speaking to customers on the phone would be so difficult with a mask on. It was hard enough that I couldn't pronounce my words well and the mask made it hard for customers to hear me on the call. It gave me negative feedback and hard accents by customers lead me to additional stress. I eventually didn't make the final test so failure to pass the exam was also grounds for termination.

To be honest, I think it was a blessing in disguise that work didn't cut out for me because I don't know how I'd be able to work and have chemo at the same time. I'd have to be absent on some days just for chemo treatment.

So during my chemo, I started to try to build a small business. Just letting my creative juices flow making bags became my next project. My story basically shows what I accomplished between 2016-2021 not in that right order though.

I always made sure I kept myself busy. The little income I earned I spent on whatever medicines I needed. My family has helped contribute to most of my PET CT scans and Chemotherapy. The least I can do with the money I had was to spend on whatever meds needed.

2021

Is definitely a challenging year yet. I have no idea what is in store for me. I feel strong and am able to do things normally and look pretty much healthy. I do my best to keep a routine at home including, exercise and other activities to keep my sanity as well. I hope someday I can look FORWARD to the future. Right now, I only live day by day.

This year despite pandemic we opted to treat it a different way. Surgically, doctors thought it was possible with great study of Pet cts and all previous files. However, the day of surgery didn’t prove to be 100% success . That didn’t let me affect me because if you think about it it was just a small to success. The full hysterectomy was a success and lo and behold the primary tumor was embedded deep inside. The tumor in the lymph node unfortunately was not removed. A blood vessel was hiding behind it, that deemed untouchable at that point. The whole inside of me looked like a battlefield. Black tar and hard leathery vessels surrounded the tumor. These were all causes by years of treatment..

2022

I hope this will be the final chemo treatment I will ever get..