25/05/2025
“Mama’s Battle with Breast Cancer”
When Mama came back from her Dumaguete trip back in November 2019, sinabi nya sakin na meron syang nakapa na bukol the size of a marble sa left breast nya. Sabi nya baka cancer kasi they have a family history pero I dismissed her.
On the same month, we went to Baguio at sabi nya masakit daw yung bukol pag nilalamig sya. So we went for a biopsy and the result confirmed that she had Triple Negative Breast Cancer. TNBC is the most aggressive type of breast cancer. Sabi ng onco nya mahirap itong gamutin and chances of recovery are slim.
She undergoes surgery to remove her left breast in December 2019 and it was successful. We took her home and celebrated the holidays with high hopes for Mama despite the doctor’s warning.
From January 2020 to May 2020, Mama had chemotherapy sessions to control the spread of cancer cells. She dreaded losing her hair and the other side effects of chemo but she bravely completed her treatment. Our first good news came a month after her chemo was done, the cancer didn’t spread to other body organs, so there was no need to undergo radiation therapy. Mama was declared CANCER FREE. No maintenance medications were needed but we were to go for routine checkups and labs every 6 months which we religiously did.
The years that followed through were the happiest we’ve ever had as a family. Mama’s recovery didn’t just mean she got her life back, it felt like we all got a renewed faith and appreciation for every single moment. We’ve seen Mama rediscover her old hobbies, live healthy, embark on new adventures, sought spiritual guidance and continued to be the strong, loving Mama that holds us all together. She was the happiest, living her best life.
Then December 2024 came, 5 years after Mama’s diagnosis. She developed a cough that we initially thought was nothing more than a common cold. I brought her to the ER due to back pains but her x-ray shows pleural effusion (tubig sa baga) in her right lung. My heart sank. My mind instantly jumped to a terrifying conclusion that Mama’s cancer returned.
Trahidor ang cancer sabi nga nila.
Further tests confirmed that the pleural effusion was caused by a “metastatic process” in her right lung. I didn’t really understood what it meant, and Mama’s only question was, “Doc, gagaling pa po ba ako?”
Mama’s good doctor reassured her that there’s nothing to worry about. We’ve faced this battle before and we’re ready to face it again.
Despite the reassuring conversations we had with Mama’s team of doctors though, we’ve had to confront the possibility that Mama might not make it this time. It’s heartbreaking to even think about, but we’ve come to a place of acceptance. We prayed, we hoped, and left everything in God’s hands.
In between the treatments, hospitalizations, and medications from December 2024 to May 2025, we made sure that Mama was comfortable. Me and my siblings took sometime off from work to personally take care of Mama. Give her the best quality of life she could have.
When her oxygen level started declining, she had to be admitted in the hospital again. We were told that Mama needed to be transferred to the ICU. Even in the ICU, Mama was still so chatty and funny. Keeping our spirits up, just like always.
Papano kami nakapasok sa ICU room ni Mama lahat? Ang sabi kasi ni Mama sa doctors nya, “kapag hindi nyo pinapasok ang mga anak ko, ako ang lalabas dito”. The doctors then allowed us in. Kami lang daw ang pinagbigyan nila makapasok sa ICU because they know how much Mama always loved to be with her children. Kilala na nila si Mama.
Then I sat on the edge of her bed, she looked at me and asked, “pano ang bayarin natin dito sa ospital, Queen?” At nung sinabi ko na wag na nyang alalahanin ang mga bayarin, she answered back, “Sige, uwi na tayo. Iuwi nyo na ako.” This was Mama’s last words.
Hindi namin alam na gusto na pala nyang umuwi sa piling ni Lord. Her only request before finally coming home to God was for us to hold her hand and to never leave her side. If there’s one thing, ipinagpapasalamat namin na hindi nahirapan si Mama. Pumikit lang sya na parang matutulog and dun na nag flatline. She passed peacefully in her sleep. A true testament of God’s love.
While any loss is difficult, Mama's absence feels particularly devastating for us because she wasn't just a mother, she was, without a doubt, the best mom and Mamala anyone could ever ask for.
Mama’s love was boundless, her wisdom endless, and her presence a constant source of strength and joy. She nurtured us, guided us, and celebrated every one of our triumphs, big or small. She had a way of making each of us feel uniquely cherished and understood.
Malaki rin ang pasasalamat ko sa Panginoon na binigyan Nya kami ng mahabang panahon makapagpaalam kay Mama, makahingi ng tawad, masabi at maipakita kung gaano namin sya ka mahal na mahal.
To say that Mama fought a good fight would be an understatement. Throughout her battle, Mama has been nothing short of incredible. She faced every challenge with a fierce determination that inspired us all.
Thank you, Mama. Mahal na mahal ka namin. Pahinga ka ng
maigi, Ma. 🤍
🌸If you or know someone facing the same battle, be strong and leave it all to God. Laban lang hanggang nakakahinga pa. Kumain hanggang kaya pa.
