read whole article - Episcopal Church Philippines

that it will not re-occur. I did not like it so we argued.
He explained that it is “basic chemotherapy” which,
if you are physically fit, has no side effects such as
nausea, pain, loss of hair and vomiting, among others.
As a clincher he said that he was doing it because “if”
the radiation insured five years more for me to live the
chemotherapy will make me live another ten years or
more so that I will not die of cancer but of old age. He
stated it in the subjunctive mode “if” and so I had my
doubts. He added that if I was a smoker and a drunkard,
I would have died years ago of cancer or diabetic
complications and that right now what is keeping me
strong and well was partly because I am physically fit
and have a strong will to survive. It follows, he said,
that I can withstand the rigors of chemotherapy.
I
placed my whole trust on the good doctor. I worried
about extra expenses but agreed to undergo
chemotherapy. It will cost more money but money
cannot buy life and I do not intend to just fade away.
Not yet anyway.
In retrospect, and at that point in time, I firmly
believed that what was making me more alive while I
was under medication was the prayer of all the people
of God, my belief in a God who heals together with
God’s will for me to survive. It could be that He has
other plans for me. It was very consoling and uplifting
when I hear my name mentioned in the prayers for
the sick at the Cathedral of Saint Mary and Saint John
every Sunday and in the community Eucharist of Saint
Andrew’s Chapel on Thursdays and every day. It was
even more consoling and strengthening for me knowing
that throughout many Episcopal churches around the
world, I was part of their intercessions in every service.
And God answers prayers.
Meanwhile, my abnormal blood sugar continued
to be treated. Passion suggested I take Dime 8 and
urinalysis again even before my chemo. The results
were normal. I just have to maintain my exercise
regularly and religiously follow the diet prescribed by
the hospital nutritionist.
But I had to be prepared for my chemotherapy. I had
a sick leave of one week to do just that and went home
again to Sagada. I came back on the 18th September.
Two days later I reported to the hospital for my first
chemotherapy. Two days later, on 20 September 2011 I
played tennis which is my regular exercise. My partner
was Marion Bondad against Atty. Floyd Lalwet and
Raymond Maddela. I was off form with a terrible timing.
Marion and I lost miserably. I had more double faults in
my service than usual. I was rusty. Was there any after
6
Colon cancer....from previous page
The Philippine EPISCOPALIAN
effect of the chemo? I felt none and I was hoping it will
be the same every after treatment. I believe too that I
can physically hurdle the medication for the long haul.
For my regular exercise Passion suggested golf
which he said he plays, but I don’t. I suggested lawn
tennis and he said it’s a good exercise because it is
not so strenuous. “But don’t overdo it because if your
body is over fatigued and weak any remaining cancer
cells, if there are, will become strong.” In fact his
second suggestion was having a 30 minutes leisurely
walk every day around the compound. This is what I
do when I miss my regular tennis games. In addition, I
sometimes exercise at our living room with my tennis
racket and basketball with Wowee my grandson
curiously watching.
When I started my chemotherapy I was gradually
gaining weight too. Every month just before the
administration of the chemo my blood pressure and
weight were taken. My weight stabilized, ranging from
155 to 160 lbs. since January 2012. The doctor said
that at my height (5’6”), 155 lbs. is just the right weight.
On November 30, 2011, Saint Andrew’s feast
day, I played basketball with the Seminary Alumni
team versus the seminary varsity. I contributed 6 points
which is much lower than my average points per game
30 years ago. I thought I was still strong but the truth is
we cannot be forever young. The alumni lost by a wide
margin to the much younger seminarians.
My last chemotherapy was on August 23, 2012.
This day Passion seemed very delighted. He was
happy for me that it was all over and that I was able to
go through the medication according to the prescribed
schedule and until the very end. He congratulated me.
I profusely thanked him.
Passion advised me to take care of my sugar level
and not to allow myself to become a diabetic. “All you
need to do”, he said, “is to be very careful with what you
eat. If possible, be a vegetarian. If not, get rid of fat and
sugar in your diet and exercise regularly”, he repeated.
I informed him that since June last year (2011) I haven’t
been eating beef. “I did not tell you not to eat beef or
any other meat”, the doctor said. “What you really have
to do is eat meat moderately and as prescribed by the
nutritionist. Your body needs protein but preferably
poultry except dove. And chicken fat is concentrated
on the skin. Don’t eat the skin. And don’t drink your
fruits. Eat them because your body accommodates
liquid sugar faster.” The doctor was emphatic. It could
Colon cancer...continued next page