Kairos

God really speaks to us in ways that we least expect Him to. And when He does, He makes sure that it touches the core of our beings. He definitely knows how to get our attention. I went to Baptist Hospital for my annual mammogram / sonogram check-up. I started having this routine exam since 2003. That's when I first detected a lump in my right breast. But at that time, it was not much of a big deal. True, I freaked out when I felt that undeniably marble-like firmness around the upper right quadrant of my bosom, but deep inside I found reassurance in knowing that our family had no history of breast cancer. But that was then. And this is now. Today's picture has changed so much. Now - is after my own mother was diagnosed with cancer in 2006 and lost her battle in 2007. Now - is after my father was diagnosed with colon cancer at the very same year my mother passed away. Now - is when my other cousin (father's side) also discovered he has advanced renal cancer at 50 years old....

First of all, many thanks to my friend Conni for the information below. This is very important not just to me but to all the women out there. Are you doing a self-breast exam monthly, and seeing your OBGYN for a check-up yearly? After age 40 you should start getting screened for a mammogram and if you have a history of breast cancer (or any type of cancer for that matter), should be earlier than 40. Every time a woman gets her period, there are hormonal changes that occur in our body, our breasts swell up and when we don't get pregnant, of course the body's immune system does this wonderful thing of getting rid of that dead tissue in our breasts . But when our body doesn't all get rid of it due to some factors like diet (caffeine, bad fats, etc), stress (that's why we must exercise), then we get these calcified or dead tissues and some might form into lumps or cysts. A friend of Conni's shared with her an interesting story about her friend's sister, who after ...

Have you ever walked through a situation that you thought you’d never have to walk through? Have you ever been in a circumstance where it seems like there is no way out? Have you ever been confronted with your very own fears? Well, I am in all of the se situations right now. I am in a crisis that seems hopeless and helpless and where I am left with no choice but to face my greatest fear: DEATH – that of losing my parents. These past few months, I have been forced to deal with my parents’ mortality. With both of my parents having cancer, and especially with my mother’s health deterioration – I have been compelled to deal with the fact that I will one day lose them…… and that one day may be drawing closer and closer. You see, my mother’s health hasn’t improved at all. Her last oral chemo treatment was two weeks ago, but ever since she started that treatment, she had become weaker and weaker. She can hardly move, she has lost her appetite, half of her face has started to swell, her eyes ...

Despite the advancement of medicines and therapies, cancer remains to be the most evil disease plaguing mankind to this date. I should know, I have two of my most beloved people affected by it – my m other and my father. Today, I can’t help but wonder why good people, like my parents, get affected with cancer. My heart is aching so much, especially for my mother whose cancer is far more advanced than my father. My father has recovered really well from his colon surgery. My mother, on the other hand, doesn’t seem to get better. Just the other night, I can already hear the hopelessness in her voice. She wants to give up. She is ready to give up. My mother has just been through another round of chemo. Though this time the drug was taken orally, but the effects remain the same. She is physically weak to the point that she has a hard time moving. On top of that, her skin is getting worse. The lesions has spread from her chest to her arms and neck. She is having sleepless nights. I can only ...

I am not feeling too good today. I spoke with my Mother last night on the phone and learned that welts have begun to form in the skin around her right breast area, and they're getting bigger too. In addition, the doctor informed her a couple of days ago that she definitely needs blood transfusion as her CBC count is very low. My mother is currently taking oral chemotherapy medications for her advanced breast cancer. And anemia is one of the side effects of chemotherapy. My mother is already anemic to begin with. For those who don't know, this crisis began a year ago when my Mom got diagnosed of breast cancer. By then, her condition was already advanced and that the cancer has already metastasized to her lymph nodes and skin. Doctors even suspect metastasis on her bones as well. After her mastectomy, she still had some of the itchy "rash" area near her armpit which the doctor said should be addressed with her radiation treatment following her surgery. However, this ras...