Certificate of Appreciation

The Certificate of Appreciation we (Norman and I) received from Gino last Saturday was for (our) "unending Love, Support, Care, Tolerance, Joy, Forgiveness, Consideration, Thoughtfulness and Understanding."

We are so grateful to God Almighty for this journey of parenthood. Its risks are great and the costs enormous---but the rewards are constant and the dividends are well worth the resources invested. =)

Of birthdays, mourning, and living just this day

Solely by God's mercy, I turn 41 tomorrow.

I mourn this week the loss of a good friend and supporter, Marie. Herself afflicted with Stage 4 breast cancer, Marie generously donated to the treatment fund of Jenelyn, the second beneficiary of www.ourownlittleway.org.

Jenelyn died in 2007 of Stage 4 nasopharyngeal cancer...and now, Marie has followed her to heaven, where I can only imagine them praising God with the angels and the saints--perfectly free from human pain and suffering.

I would like to believe that I have learned to embrace death and life with equal zeal. Yet, it is a daily struggle, especially when there is so much to grieve about. My friend leaves behind a husband and four young daughters. And I cannot help but wonder when my family's turn will come.

Having just passed the five-year survival milestone (August 2009), I am not due for check up until February 2010. I feel well, sleep well, and eat well. Indeed, there is so much life and in life to be grateful for. I really should pray for more faith. It is useless to worry about tomorrow when I'm not even sure I'd be there.

Lord, let me live today, that I may take pride in the Kumon medals my children have earned by Your grace. Let me live today, that I may enjoy Torta de los Reyes Sansrival (bought from Aristocrat) with my husband and son. Let me live today, that I may love, laugh and learn once more, even for just this day--knowing with certainty that you will take care of tomorrow.

Because you let me live that October day when my mother gave birth to me...and have taken care of all my tomorrows since.

50-second story*

On August 30th five years ago, I was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer.
I had a job, my husband had a job, and our children--a nine year-old boy and a five year-old girl--were enrolled in private school. We were not poor but my doctor assured me that we would be if I did not receive any help funding my treatment for Stage 4 breast cancer. He told me, "Carla, you're going to lose your house. You're going to lose your car. You're going to pile up a mountain of debt it would take you a lifetime to pay."

I would have chosen to die rather than put my family through such an ordeal. But a friend put up the website, http://www.ourownlittleway.org/ and raised over US$20,000 to fund my treatment, that included 12 cycles of chemotherapy and 28 days of radiotherapy.
Today, I volunteer for ICanServe Foundation, Inc. which promotes early breast cancer detection among Filipina women, in gratitude to all my donors who gave of themselves and shared their resources to save my life.

*Delivered to an audience of 500 on August 26 as part of the Powerful Digital Storytelling Workshop at the LIVESTRONG Global Cancer Summit in Dublin, Ireland.

Am going to Dublin for LIVESTRONG Global Cancer Summit

My dear benefactors, donors and friends,

If you have not heard yet, I wish to share the good news that I have received a travel scholarship (roundtrip airfare and accommodations) to the LIVESTRONG Global Cancer Summit in Dublin, Ireland for August 24-26 (Mon-Wed). I will be representing ICanServe Foundation as volunteer. I have also accepted the invitation of the Lance Armstrong Foundation to speak at the “Powerful Digital Storytelling Workshop” on the third day of the conference. Speakers on this panel will share how they have successfully told their organization's stories and built support through available, low cost technologies.
I was notified yesterday that my visa application with the Irish Consulate in Manila has been approved, 9 calendar days from submission when the regular processing for short visit applications is six weeks.
Praise God Almighty who has once again given me an opportunity to serve. Do pray with me that I will be up to His challenge, and perform as He pleases. My health is fine as of my last work-up (Feb/March 2009). My next scans are set in Feb/March 2010.
Please know that as I look forward to my fifth year as a breast cancer survivor on August 30, 2009, I remember you all with gratitude and affection for you have blessed me by "your prayers, works, joys and sufferings". You extended your help and shared your resources with our family in our time of need. God continues to bless me today through your love and friendship.
We will never be able to repay your kindness but trust that God, in His infinite mercy and boundless generosity, will bless you and all your loved ones abundantly and for always.
Indeed, you are all angels to me and my family. We pray we can grow to be like you in our own little way. May you never regret that one day, almost five years ago, you saved this one life from Stage 4 breast cancer when you could.


Ever grateful and on behalf of Norman, Gino and Dana,

Carla

Thanks be to God*

Every time we survivors are scheduled for tests, we wait for the results with bated breath---literally waiting to exhale. Now I can sigh with relief.

My annual PET (positron emission tomography) scan took a new twist this time with the addition of a CT (computed tomography) scan. In August 2008, the doctor recommended a repeat CT scan of the chest after six months, to follow up on the status of my lungs where a suspicious nodule was earlier found.

February was so busy but I finally had my PET-CT scan on March 11. Today, March 13 (Dana’s 10^th birthday), I read the results and find that I am good--cancer-free as of March 11, 2009. What a precious, precious day it is!

The Lord has truly blessed me, and I am ever grateful. I thank Almighty God for this bonus time to live, love, learn and laugh…to be alive and still be wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, volunteer and worker-in-the-vineyard.

Every day is indeed a gift. Every breath, a miracle. Only by God’s grace and mercy can I claim good health, and continue living in the service of my fellowmen.

For my family and for those who have journeyed with us since 2004 when cancer first touched our lives, it is always a good time to celebrate and give thanks. We do so daily and with medical affirmation of God’s abiding faithfulness, we give praise again and again!

As one of my favorite mass songs goes (Pass It On): “That’s how it is with God’s love, once you’ve experienced it, you’ll spread His love to everyone, you want to pass it on…I’ll shout it from the mountain top, I want the world to know, the Lord of love has come to me, I want to pass it on.”

Pass the good news on!

Our never-ending thanks to Lord Almighty, maker of all that is seen and unseen!

*First posted on 13 March 2009 on http://carla1.multiply.com