UNSOLICITED LOVE

Before the clock strikes midnight and everyone celebrates the dawn of another beginning, a new year, a new journey, let me use this page to thank a lot of people who had made an impact to me in one way or another. You never know how much joy you had brought me in the midst of difficulties and sufferings I encountered this year. Although it’s still 12 days before New Year and Christmas is just around the corner, I’d like to take this opportunity to appreciate all your kindness, something that I know I don’t deserve to receive from anyone else.

I’m a self-confessed choleric with a straightforward personality and too much honesty to the point of rudeness, so I don’t consider myself friendly or empathetic. Yet despite myself I am overwhelmed with benevolence coming from all of you. I realized that no matter who you are and no matter what you do, in times of trouble there will be people who will genuinely support and give love without expecting anything in return. You taught me that kind of compassion that I never ever given to anyone before.

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The start of year 2016 is not very pleasant to me because I celebrated my birthday in the hospital and 2 days prior that I was diagnosed with cancer. My happiness is beyond measure with my friends and family celebrating the day I was born when my mind is full of strange thoughts about dying.

My BFFs and Kumare Meg and Gen

My officemates and friends who prepared the birthday surprise. Awww. So sweet. . .

My family (L-R: nephew Brian, sister Lala, youngest niece Francine, my dear Nanay, nieces EJ and Trisha. . . Insert my brother-in-law Henry, my brother Rolly, eldest sister Lorena, nephews Glenn and Gian and niece Faye who are not in this photo.

My emotional distress at that time is more than the physical pain from the surgical wound, still I managed to smile from the bottom of my heart because of your warm consolation. Indeed, it’s the best birthday celebration of my entire life.

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The last time my hair was cut short was in grade school (grade 3 to be exact), so I feel dejected thinking about cutting off my hair to prepare for my chemotherapy. One of the saddest days of my life (arte lang).

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I can’t help but to have self pity when my hair started to shed. I can’t look myself into the mirror and can’t even comb my hair afraid of what is about to happen, that everything will fall off instantly. I started to wear bandanas/scarves to cover the shedding of my hair. Then I took a selfie and said to myself that beauty comes from our inner self, and the positivity that will make me glow in such brilliant smile is up to me. Somehow I regained my confidence here.

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I shaved my hair entirely because it became difficult for me to style my hair and it feels kinda itchy when covered with bandana/scarf. Then I struck a pose, took another selfie while realizing that I still look good despite of the baldness. This was not bad after all. I can still carry this type of hairstyle I think. Haha!

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It was my 2^nd cycle of chemotherapy and I was alone in the hospital when my friend and sister in Christ Elena visited me with an interview for the blog that she was about to write for me. I found it amusing but I’m so touched when she was the one crying instead of me while doing the interview. I felt so much love coming from her. The blog was really heart warming and informative. Thank you so much Elena! Nag-feeling artista ako dito.

Visit her blogsite for more inspiring articles and stories: http://elena-bithao.blogspot.in/

I got another visit from Elena, this time it was with Karel at our home in Bulacan. You will notice here that my eyebrows are starting to diminish. But still happy to be with my sisters in Christ. Missing Kring, Maiah and Ate Ja.

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We have our family bonding some time in August. This time with my eldest sister (Lorena). I’m in the last few cycles of my chemotherapy. I’m getting fluffier here due to the effect of corticosteroid (type of steroids but not the steroids used by some weight lifters. Hehehe) Look at my chubby cheeks!

I love my sisters. Although I’m not expressive in terms of affection, but I’m so thankful to them that they allowed me to become the most beautiful among us even only in this photo. I know they are far more beautiful but they must admit I’m the smartest. Haha!

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At last! The chemotherapy session is over. I still have other treatments but hair shedding is not one of the side effects. So my hair started to grow back. I’m in great delight! Wee!

Some said my new look suits me better. This hairstyle is giving off a fierce and sophisticated vibe.

Hmmm. . . I still want to grow my hair long like this though.

Or like this

Well we’ll see how it will turn out. If my hair strands cooperate even without hair rebonding, I will grow my hair long.

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After months of isolation at home, I finally got back working at the office again by September. Woohoo! I got to do the things I enjoy again and spend wonderful times at work, dine out and parties with my colleagues.

Sobrang saya ko di ba? Hehehe.

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My travel restriction was lifted after chemotherapy so I was able to spend BFF time with Meg and family in Tagaytay last November. Missing Gen here.

Yet to bond with all my lovely friends next year. I’m just so thankful that I can go out again in places without wearing a mask and worrying about fatigue. My strength comes from the Lord and the joy of healing is now happening.

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Back to the place where everything started with my spiritual foundation, my spiritual family and my home church in Victory UBELT.

Catch up with my VG Leader April

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I have shown those captured in photos for some highlights of the unmerited favor and love that I spent and received from all of you this year. Other events and people might not be mentioned here, but you know who you are. The encouraging messages, the financial support and especially your prayers are adding a lot as an inspiration for me to continue on the battle with victory in mind.

I do hope that sharing my cancer journey this year with everyone had already gave you a good representation of how wide and deep is the love of God for all of us. But it does not mean you need to experience the same situation that I have in order to appreciate it and witness His glory. Our God, our Lord Jesus Christ is alive. I can attest to that. No other miracle can be greater than his unsolicited love that was demonstrated on the cross. For that love, I found hope and faith, I can declare healing through His power and I can thank you all at this moment because I believe my life was extended so that I can also appreciate the love coming from all of you and be able to share it with others as well.

The best and worst days of my life happened this year but it’s all worth it. Thank you all so much!

2 Corinthians 4:15English Standard Version (ESV)

15 For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.