My Healing Journey: Discovering Breast Cancer in the Time of Pandemic

When I decided to get back into blogging upon leaving my long-term stint in the corporate world, there were so many ideas running in my head on how to map out this journey that I abandoned abruptly so many years ago. I knew I must weed out and filter them soon and declutter my head. 

What I never anticipated was that this journey will suddenly become two-pronged. I originally planned on a more career-related theme when I pick up where I left off. Life, however, has other plans for me. 

Deterioration 

I started having health issues in the last quarter of 2018 when I was hit with mild pneumonia which resulted in my finally (finally!) kicking my smoking habit on first try (a good topic for later). That workaholic who stayed up way too late, puffing like a chimney? That would be the old me. My shift started at 12 noon until 10 in the evening but I would usually leave the office around midnight or in the wee hours of the morning so you can just imagine the lifestyle I had for years. 

Upon entering the 2nd quarter of 2019, I found out I have Type 2 Diabetes when I had to undergo back surgery for cellulitis. Before the year ended, I felt a lump in my right breast, but I didn’t let it bother me much despite the Breast Cancer history in the family. I just added it in my To-Do List along with checkup with my Endo to update my diabetes meds and status. But, as we were all hit by the sudden lockdown in 2020, the list had to be pushed back further. Months into the quarantine, I woke up with a throbbing which was beyond the usual considering my pretty early menopause. Nevertheless, going anywhere near any medical facility was out of the question for fear of COVID infection. Like most of us, it didn’t occur to me that the quarantine would take this long.

After finally deciding to move from Makati to Quezon City to be near my family as the pandemic was dragging on, I finally got to see an OB-GYN by November last year when restrictions eased off a bit. She recommended mammogram and breast ultrasound and results showed that it was almost certainly cancer. I was still in denial, I guess, despite the Breast Cancer symptoms and glaring results. I was endorsed to a breast surgeon and recommended for biopsy but as the holidays had been upon us, getting hold of doctors, especially during the pandemic, had been a struggle. I gave up trying to get hold of the referred surgeon and started trying other doctors who could see me at least. But I couldn’t even get the secretaries to pick up the call to schedule a consult. 

Synchronicity 

It was during this time that I received recommendation for distance healing through Brazilian Maryknoll Sisters & they asked me to take an all-natural herbal tea with a list of leaves I should boil & drink along with suggestion to look for a Reiki practitioner. Being a relatively beginner crystals collector, I’ve always been interested in Reiki but haven’t had the time & enough inclination to really look into it. At this point, it’s easy to see the pattern on how things just seem to fall into place. It’s like the delays for finding the right medical attention just coincided with how I managed to squeeze in the alternative means that could also help in my pursuit for healing. 

I then contacted Mysterium Philippines’ Ms. Sarah Salcedo-Rubin. I’d been following her on Facebook through my sister’s friend with the same interests on crystals. I inquired for a Reiki session and made some arrangements. That was the beginning of my exposure to Reiki. After our first session, she invited me to join her training for 1st level Reiki. (Stay tuned as I will share about that experience soon.)

Diagnosis

Due to the pandemic, my healing journey had been delayed. Some would consider these delays worth worrying much over, considering the amount of time that passed since I detected the existence of this lump. I chose not to think too much about the pursed lips and scowl the attending nurses couldn’t hide when I had my mammogram as they ask about breast cancer signs I may have experienced while feeling around the lump. 

I finally managed to get a schedule with an Oncologist Surgeon by January and had a core needle biopsy which confirmed that I do have Breast Cancer. The tumor is big (5.4 x 7.2 x 6.1 cm as per my mammogram) so it was suggested that I undergo chemotherapy to shrink the mass before surgery to remove it. Tests were needed, however, before we can start therapy to determine the kind of treatment for my case. 

The urge to panic had been there as time was dragging on where every process took so long but I chose to stay calm and trust in Him. More adjustments and life-altering changes needed to be made as time stretched on. My take on the side tour of distance healing and Reiki? I believe they helped keep the cancer from progressing too quickly and aggressively. Most of all, I have my faith to hold on to, choosing to believe that everything will fall into place in God’s perfect time. I already decided that I will face this battle with courage and determination even though I have already prepared myself to accept my fate. My mantra has become, “Let go and let God.” 

Onwards, Forward

I already started treatment, hoping to schedule the 3rd chemotherapy cycle out of 6 in a week or two as soon as my laboratory results permit me to proceed. More and more women are being diagnosed with breast cancer and the trend is ever increasing worldwide so I’m sharing my journey in the hope that this will help others who are yet to embark on the same adventure. Sharing my experience is my way to advocate Breast Cancer awareness, especially for those who want a glimpse of what’s it like when the big “C” touches your life.  

To those who are afraid they are also heading toward this dreadful path, this is my way of letting you know that you are not alone. 

Every case is different but that doesn’t mean we can’t walk together as we find our way home. Let's venture into this healing journey with courage and find means to fight this battle. 

Feel free to share your insights in the Comments Section or post your questions and I'll try to answer the best way I can.