CARING WELL

by Mae Castro

My life began at 40. I thought I had enough toughness, strength and courage in me when I reached this age way back in 2006. And I thought my 20 years of working in a bank was enough to keep me calm and in control on any given situation.

When I came face to face in dealing with my cancer, I felt fear of the unknown and instantly thought of my family. I thought about Ed, my husband, and our only child Mia, who was only 9 years old at that time. That was June 2006.

But I must say that when I was diagnosed with cancer, my ready acceptance of this condition got me right away into action and think logically. Initially, I kept it to myself and did my own research. But eventually I had to share it with my love ones, in laws, friends and relatives.

I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer with liver metastases. Stage four.

In July of that same year, they performed a CT Scan guided needle biopsy of my pelvic mass, my left paracolic nodule, and my liver nodule.

August 8, 2006, Dr. Samuel Ang of St. Luke’s Medical Center removed the whole of my reproductive organ, cut a portion of my lower colon, dissected portions of my iliac node, did a partial omentectomy and made an excision of some peritoneal seedings all found inside my abdomen.

The following month of September, I started my 6 cycles equivalent to 12 sessions of chemotherapy which lasted me until January of 2007. That was my first line of chemo treatment. The second and third line of chemo came in March until September of 2008. Two and six cycles respectively for a total of 32 sessions all in all.

In between these times, I was diagnosed and treated of cutaneous lupus. My face and my hands showed patches of skin redness triggered by the effects of my first chemotherapy. Then my left kidney became enlarged and an indwelling j-stent was placed inside me to address the swelling. The j-stent stayed with me for three months before it was finally taken out.

During all these times, I was surrounded and blessed by the presence of my love ones and well meaning friends, in laws and relatives. Their overwhelming support came in different forms: such as financial help, inspirational books, food & nutrition, flowers, prayers, prayer books, advises and different kinds of suggestions.

But I felt a void inside that wanted to connect with others like me.

When I got back to work, the struggles of balancing a healthy lifestyle and a worry free working environment was taking its toll on my still recovering body.

I learned about Carewell through an old issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer that featured the story of Bobbit and Jackie Suntay.

When I met Mr. Bobbit Suntay, his encouraging words and the warmth I felt in his welcoming invitation to visit Carewell stayed with me until I was able to push myself to walk the couple of blocks it took to get to the Carewell office from where I was working at that time.

I felt like a child, the moment I stepped inside the premises of Carewell. I was happy and relieved to release all my pent up emotions that I found difficult to share with all my well meaning family, friends and relatives .

Mr. Bobbit Suntay opened a new door for me in my cancer journey as I was offered free consultations from the line of volunteer doctors and counsellors helping the members of Carewell Community.

And I did just that when my anxiety became more and more pronounced as I thought about my next visit to the hospital to do my monitoring tests and follow up check up with my oncologist.

Counselling with Ms.Eva Gumtang, gave me a concrete path and directions in prioritizing my list as I live and deal with my cancer. Slowly, my fears diminished.

More so when I discovered a well of information available to me at Carewell’s mini-library. The reading materials dwelling on my cancer gave me added knowledge and perspective on what I was facing.

The audio CD on guided imagery helped me sleep better during those times when I was in distress.

Carewell became a weekly treat for me most especially when I met up with fellow cancer survivors as we exchanged our individual cancer experiences and other current events as well.

The stress I felt in dealing with my work was lessened with the thought that I am now a part of something wonderful like Carewell and I have my Carebelle friends to get me through rough times that are only known to those who have experienced similar struggles.

I felt the beginning of a beautiful bond forming within the community the first time we were treated to a respite weekend in Anilao. The peace and quiet that I felt in this brief moment is something I always look back to when I feel my world getting too busy and chaotic for me to handle.

Then we had the art classes. Clueless as I am in arts, my daughter, Mia and I were proud to accomplish something out of nothing the first time we tried it for ourselves.

And not to be left behind, is my husband, Ed, who joined the Husbands Happy Hour and met up with fellow husbands of the members of Carewell Community. And they shared their experiences over a few bottles of beer.

The wellness activities such as Qi Gong and Pilates taught me a lot about the proper way of breathing and slow excercises for a better blood circulation and bone strengthening.

Likewise, my sense of awareness was heightened and my patience greatly improved.

Fun and laughter comes easily with people of Carewell. Our Teacher Roger taught us about the laughing Qi Gong which I shared to my family. So now, we laugh a lot at home even without doing the exercise.

My Carewell family became a source of inspiration to do more for myself and for others as well. The celebrations and adventures of doing something out of the ordinary was unimaginable to me. But it became a thrill to experience as I joined in the different events of Carewell.

The people I met through Carewell gave me an immense appreciation of life’s ups and downs. Through the years that I have been with Carewell, I have learned and come to terms with my life, conquer my fears each day, reach out to others and share how my cancer and the Carewell Community greatly enriched my life. Emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually, I am living my dream and celebrating life.

I am now a full time housewife and a mother to my thirteen years old daughter Mia. I take each day as it comes and store as much beautiful memories as I can for my family and the people I come across.

My faith in God remains strong and steady. I take refuge in our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.

They say, faith is like swimming, the more we struggle, the more we sink. But if we rest, we float. And if we believe, then we are blessed.