Changing Storms

August 21, 2005
My Journey with Cancer

Changing Storms

Storm-swept mountains and valleys glistened in the early morning light of August. A single flower stood still, gloriously opening its petals for a new day. It was the same flower that bore the raging winds last night. Beside it, a blade of grass stood incandescently before the sunlight. They took the tempest’s strongest and cruelest moment. They bore some part of the storm, and here I found them on the same spot, basking contentedly under the sunbeam.

How many times have we wished to be taken out from the storm? When the heavens were filled with nothing but darkness and thunders roared like lions ready to devour their prey, we stood at the precipice of doubt and fear and asked for mercy. We could not see the way, or even find a reason for the onslaught. Sometimes we thought that God was silent.
But like the famous lyrics in the song, when there are times that we felt alone and we could only see one set of footprints in the sand, those were the times when He carried us through.
I have begged my doctors to spare me from going through the sixth cycle of my chemotherapy, although I knew that it was not possible. Missing one of the cycles beyond the time limit would bring me back to the first cycle. So I closed my eyes, and said my prayer, and went through it once more.
Now, it has been more than a month, since the last cycle. My strength is coming back. Inch long hair slowly and gingerly creeping through my scalp. Losing them once brought me greater joy of having them back.
Although there will be many more test to come, the assurance that I will never be alone gives me much comfort.
Reports say that being a woman, simply makes us a candidate for breast cancer. But it doesn’t mean that men are spared by this malady. Research show that there were certain men who had a breast cancer.
There are many risk factors to be considered. They are the following: genetic, family history, race, personal history of breast cancer, being overweight, not having children, or those women who had their first child after the age of 30, prolonged use of combined hormone replacement therapy or HRT (Estrogens together with progesterone), alcohol and smoking among others.
Studies also show that early menstrual period before twelve years of age may place the woman on a higher risk of having breast cancer.
Although recent studies have suggested that a woman who work at night are prone to be affected, yet these reports were not proven yet.
But even if these risk factors are present, they don’t mean that the person will get the disease. On the other hand, other women who have breast cancer don’t have any of these risk factors.
However, there are some good news to those who have many children, and those who have been breast-feeding them for at least one and half years to two years. The reason behind this is that breast-feeding and pregnancy can lower a woman’s total number of menstrual periods. One study found that this could reduce the risk of having breast cancer by half.
Exercise and staying slim can also reduce the chance of having breast cancer. A study shows that least spending time like 1 hour and 15 minutes to 2 and half hours each week of brisk walking can prevent breast cancer by 18% and spending more time like 10 hours more is a lot better.
I have much relief in knowing my enemy, which has taught me many things. Although it is a little bit late for me, awareness about breast cancer should not be taken for granted.
There are different storms in life. The intensity may vary form each situation, but if we hold on we can be likened to an oak tree, that is not only tested by the storms but also toughened by them.
Cancer may ravage the body, but it cannot invade the soul or quench the spirit.