Strength in Number

Inspired by Chris' blog, I'd also like to request for prayers for my mom's recovery.

Chris and her family are battling her sister's cancer. Just like them, we also have a battle against my mom's cancer. Chris has been my inspiration in this, giving me tips and contacts as my family started our battle late last year. She started a fund drive for her sister's treatment, and having a big heart, she's even planning to share the proceeds to other cancer patients and plans to continue the fund raising even after the battle is over. It's so nice of her!

Our battle started in early October, when my mom was diagnosed with endometrial carcinoma. I was in Singapore doing my PhD studies at that time. She went through total hysterectomy exactly on my birthday. We've been battling the disease since then. I went home, stopped my PhD studies and looked for local work to be able to take care of my mom and help my family.

As others have experienced, it's not an easy battle. We even rushed mom to the ER twice, one on Jan 30, and another on Feb 14. We almost lose her on the second. We've been to three hospitals in only one night! She was confined in the third hospital, the one where her hysterectomy was done, for five days. However, even after releasing her, the doctors weren't able to answer a lot of our questions. She's been in the house since then, unable to stand nor sit for more than a minute. She's always on her bed, lying on her right side.

Late this week, we looked for other oncologists to consult, but some turned her down right away. We couldn't even bring her to the doctors for consultation since movement causes her unbearable pain. So we just brought documents and test results. Good thing the fourth doctor told us that he wants to observe her first. Hence, we are planning to have her confined again next week, right after her 65th birthday, which also happens to be the effectivity of her retirement.

We are now relying on prayers and all the moral support we are getting from relatives, friends and colleagues. It's because most of the doctors said that she's too old and weak to bear the pains of chemotherapy. But we are not losing hope. My mom is fighting it. Her strength and faith are our family's inspiration against this illness.

Tomorrow is mom's birthday, and I want her to have more birthdays to come. Just like other moms, she's the tie that's binding our family together. I want her to see more of her grand children and enjoy her retirement as she dreamt while she was still on service as a public school principal.

With a lot of people praying for Chris' sister, my mom and other people going through the same thing, we can overcome this hurdle. With God's help, together, we can move mountains.