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MERCEDES is 49 years old, with a thirteen-year-old son who is now in Grade 8.
She recalls the day doctors found a lump in her breast seven years ago, about the size of a monggo bean. She chose to ignore the findings, reasoning that “It will not get worse.” However, after four years of convincing herself that she had nothing to worry about, the throbbing pain in her breast made it impossible for her to think that the problem will go away without medical help. A trip to the ER in 2019 confirmed her worst fears, and a biopsy and chemotherapy were scheduled in quick succession.
When we talk to her, the Stage 4 HER-2 positive breast cancer patient reports that she has completed eight cycles of chemo and is considered a patient “under surveillance.” This knowledge gives her the strength of will and the push to continue soldiering on.
The determined woman facing us is vastly different from the patient who first refused to accept that she had cancer. Gone is the frightened, unemployed, single mother fearful at the thought of leaving a child whom no one would take care of.
One of the things giving her hope is being part of the Philippine Foundation for Breast Care Inc. (Kasuso Foundation), which has not only given her much-needed assistance by giving her rice, groceries, and medicines and shouldering her lab procedures, but even more by providing much-needed support in terms of information and a chat group that is available to listen to her questions, anytime.
It is like having ready shoulders that one could lean on when one is confused, anxious, or close to despair.
She feels happy and blessed to be around people who genuinely care, such as a churchmate who allows her to rent a room for only 500 pesos. She is constantly on YouTube, finding joy in Korean dramas, with “Love and Redemption” being her favorite. These acts of kindness and simple joys go a long way in making her feel that she can defeat cancer, for herself and her young child.
Mercedes discloses that she keeps her appointment every twenty-one days at the East Avenue Hospital, fervently hoping to get better.
“I tell myself to keep on fighting, and have faith in God” she smiles, already planning the logistics of her next trip.
The person who gave her testimonial and/or shared her image and/or likeness in these videos did so freely and voluntarily. All rights reserved 2022