January 27,2008
A Journey
A Journey through Cancer
By Muffet Dolar Villegas
FEAR
I sought the Lord and He answered me;
He delivered me from all my fears.
Psalm 34:4
(Dateline) CEBU
My name was called out and I was given a piece of paper bearing my medical result. Chills ran through my spine as I looked at the five little red dots which seemed to leap out of the pages of the white paper. “God, no… this is almost as many as I had three years ago.” I concentrated on the dots and I can’t hold back the tears. Solid nodules…enlarged lymph nodes… so they’re back. These dots conjured images of the operating room, the chemo room, hairless months, and I could almost smell the chemo drugs again. It was like a dejavu. Three years ago, this was the day and this month of January, when I knew I had breast cancer.
My husband was reading through my result and he put his arms around me protectively and whispered,“Everything will be alright. God will never leave us alone. These are not final results yet. He can reverse anything.”
I turned to God and groaned. Lord, I know the radiologist said it looks bad, but I didn’t know this will be so bad. Yes, this is me, Lord. The one who wrote about courage, hope, faith, and trust in you. The one you taught how to be strong for three years, but look, I am scared as a mouse today.
When I gave the paper to the secretary of my oncologist, she said, “I’m sorry ma’m, but this is not your result. This paper has another name on it, not yours.”
I was shocked and relieved, but felt sad for the owner of that paper. When my real result was given, it showed only one red dot, with rough edges, which is not a good sign either, and it has to be removed right away. But by this time, fear was replaced by peace. I only have to read the inscription in my bracelet given by a missionary and friend, Janelle Stihl last week which quotes Psalm 27:1 “ The Lord is my light and my salvation- whom shall I fear?”.
Fear can paralyze us and block us away from our intimacy with God. Once we are locked away by fear, we are no longer a threat.
How do we fight fear? Nip it in the bud. We can claim God’s faithfulness in the past and present and praise Him for it. Worship kills depression. It sends all the little torturers of the mind and flesh scampering away and hide back in the darkness.
I looked back at all those times when God was faithful. This will be my third surgery in three years time since cancer. I almost died on the second time when all veins but one collapsed for loss of blood. He took care of me through hairless months of chemotherapy. He took charge of our finances and He took care of my husband and children. He reached out to me through people like you. You took time to read my thoughts in this column, and wrote me inspiring emails.
For these past nights, and even during the day, fear peeps inside and draw the curtains away. It smiles wickedly and asks me, “What if your God is too busy for you?”
I shot back and say, “No, he is not busy, he has even time for you.”
I will know the result whether the nodule is malignant or benign after the surgery on Tuesday. My result is in His hands. Its hard to see beyond His will but He has shown me mercy and care for the past three difficult but best years of my life. May His will be done, not mine.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
HEART OF GOLD
January 20,2008
A Journey through Cancer
By Muffet Dolar Villegas
Heart of Gold
Beloved,let us love one another,
for love is of God.-1 John 4:7
I can enumerate endless events which happened lately, but I want to highlight on an inspiring couple.
When we pass through life like a zooming jet, we only leave a faint impression of a fading, disappearing smoke. But once in a while, we are reminded to stop and breath, stop and listen, stop and know. Like a delicious soup prepared before us in a cold stormy night, we pause, take in the aroma and close our eyes, then sip and just linger a little bit. I have this precious quiet moment now.
I have so many things to share with you that ideas burst in my head and I don’t know where to start. There were days that I stare blankly at an empty screen for hours, but today is different.
Actually, I’m sick again today, and I am taking a delicious time to rest and ponder on God’s awesome blessings. My kind doctor, Ami Madamba, my children’s pediatrician and a good friend advised me to have a vaccine for protection from any forms of bacteria. I have been an easy target of infection these days, but when our bodies are weak, our spirit seems to go to higher places. This time also serves as my reflection time.
There will be exciting school activities with our Korean students visitors next week, like press conferences which I will handle, and my medical examinations where feelings can be very persuasive like doubts, courage, fear and hope.
But I know that when time comes, God knows how to make just the right mixture, and everything will turn out best.
God added into my list of friends a wonderful couple from England, Noel and Tess Clarke who emailed me and expressed their desire to share their time and abilities to help children with cancer here in Dumaguete city. I was emotional while reading through the email, and the earnest desire to help brought me much hope and courage for others in this journey. I know there are many out there who work quietly, tirelessly to make this world a better place to live. Noel and Tess have devoted their lives in helping other people cope with some debilitating illnesses in England for many years. Noel said that he was encouraged to email me when he read my November article about cancer month. In that issue, I wrote about some of the activities which other medical doctors initiated to help their patients, which was headed by Dr. Geena Macalua, Dr. Jing Rosario and Dr. Sheila Flores of the Silliman University Medical Center.
Tess, is a Filipina, who is also an artist and has a big heart for children. She donated some art materials to my oncologist Dr. Macalua to be used for free art therapy lessons to help cancer warriors.
I write about these people who have willing hearts and hands to help, because I want to encourage others without hope, those who are told that life ends soon and those who feel like they are singled out from all the rest to suffer alone. I would like to let them know that God reaches out His hands, and uses people who make themselves available for the task.
And for those who would like to help cancer warriors, you may approach Dr. Jing Rosario or Dr. Geena Macalua of the the Silliman Medical Center.
Time and distance do not seem to matter to people who have the heart for people. The most beautiful hands are not the smooth ones, but those which bear the mark of their hearts.
A Journey through Cancer
By Muffet Dolar Villegas
Heart of Gold
Beloved,let us love one another,
for love is of God.-1 John 4:7
I can enumerate endless events which happened lately, but I want to highlight on an inspiring couple.
When we pass through life like a zooming jet, we only leave a faint impression of a fading, disappearing smoke. But once in a while, we are reminded to stop and breath, stop and listen, stop and know. Like a delicious soup prepared before us in a cold stormy night, we pause, take in the aroma and close our eyes, then sip and just linger a little bit. I have this precious quiet moment now.
I have so many things to share with you that ideas burst in my head and I don’t know where to start. There were days that I stare blankly at an empty screen for hours, but today is different.
Actually, I’m sick again today, and I am taking a delicious time to rest and ponder on God’s awesome blessings. My kind doctor, Ami Madamba, my children’s pediatrician and a good friend advised me to have a vaccine for protection from any forms of bacteria. I have been an easy target of infection these days, but when our bodies are weak, our spirit seems to go to higher places. This time also serves as my reflection time.
There will be exciting school activities with our Korean students visitors next week, like press conferences which I will handle, and my medical examinations where feelings can be very persuasive like doubts, courage, fear and hope.
But I know that when time comes, God knows how to make just the right mixture, and everything will turn out best.
God added into my list of friends a wonderful couple from England, Noel and Tess Clarke who emailed me and expressed their desire to share their time and abilities to help children with cancer here in Dumaguete city. I was emotional while reading through the email, and the earnest desire to help brought me much hope and courage for others in this journey. I know there are many out there who work quietly, tirelessly to make this world a better place to live. Noel and Tess have devoted their lives in helping other people cope with some debilitating illnesses in England for many years. Noel said that he was encouraged to email me when he read my November article about cancer month. In that issue, I wrote about some of the activities which other medical doctors initiated to help their patients, which was headed by Dr. Geena Macalua, Dr. Jing Rosario and Dr. Sheila Flores of the Silliman University Medical Center.
Tess, is a Filipina, who is also an artist and has a big heart for children. She donated some art materials to my oncologist Dr. Macalua to be used for free art therapy lessons to help cancer warriors.
I write about these people who have willing hearts and hands to help, because I want to encourage others without hope, those who are told that life ends soon and those who feel like they are singled out from all the rest to suffer alone. I would like to let them know that God reaches out His hands, and uses people who make themselves available for the task.
And for those who would like to help cancer warriors, you may approach Dr. Jing Rosario or Dr. Geena Macalua of the the Silliman Medical Center.
Time and distance do not seem to matter to people who have the heart for people. The most beautiful hands are not the smooth ones, but those which bear the mark of their hearts.
THE BATTLE GOES ON
A Journey
January 13,2008
A Journey Through Cancer
By Muffet Dolar Villegas
The Battle Goes On
It is a cloudy day at the beach, and the pictures I take show no excitement, the colors are drab. The sea reflects the gray skies. But as the sun comes out and the rays find its right places, shadows emerge and the ordinary bangka (canoe) transforms into a beautiful lighted vessel against the backdrop of blue green waters and gleaming sand.
My two little friends, Miggy and Abby frolic in the beach looking for hermit crabs. Miggy is my prayer warrior and Abby is my little model for painting. Their laughter combined with the sound of the waves is life in a nutshell.
The shadows of life is important to superimpose the essence of living. It is not easy to linger in the the shadows, but it makes us appreciate the sunshine. There are ferns that thrives in the shadows and there are plants that explodes in colors only in summer. Both are friends. In one time or another , all of us have passed the shadows and enjoyed the sunshine even more because we knew how it was without it.
In painting, we need the shadows to highlight our focal point. The focus of the subject brings all the emotions that captures the painter and the viewer. The soul of the painting vibrates when we strike the balance of light and dark. All the other objects must play in the shadows to give drama to the main character.
I am three years now since I was diagnosed with breast cancer that was immediately followed by radical mastectomy and chemotherapy. The battle goes on.
Life has changed then. It has become more meaningful, just like today.
Time flies so fast, and without God and your prayers, I won’t be able to survive those valleys of shadows.
The most beautiful part of this journey is touching God through you. The reason behind a person’s strengths, hope, faith, triumphs in life is because someone, somewhere, prayed. I will go through my routine medical tests on the last week of this month, and thank you for the prayers.
When God allows us to walk in the shadow of death, His presence comforts us in spite of fear and pain. His love is magnified when we need it most.
Philip Brookes once said, “Do not pray for easy times. Pray to be stronger men! Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks.”
If you have time, please visit my blog to see some of my paintings which I am able to document. www.muffetvillegascancerart.blogspot.com
January 13,2008
A Journey Through Cancer
By Muffet Dolar Villegas
The Battle Goes On
It is a cloudy day at the beach, and the pictures I take show no excitement, the colors are drab. The sea reflects the gray skies. But as the sun comes out and the rays find its right places, shadows emerge and the ordinary bangka (canoe) transforms into a beautiful lighted vessel against the backdrop of blue green waters and gleaming sand.
My two little friends, Miggy and Abby frolic in the beach looking for hermit crabs. Miggy is my prayer warrior and Abby is my little model for painting. Their laughter combined with the sound of the waves is life in a nutshell.
The shadows of life is important to superimpose the essence of living. It is not easy to linger in the the shadows, but it makes us appreciate the sunshine. There are ferns that thrives in the shadows and there are plants that explodes in colors only in summer. Both are friends. In one time or another , all of us have passed the shadows and enjoyed the sunshine even more because we knew how it was without it.
In painting, we need the shadows to highlight our focal point. The focus of the subject brings all the emotions that captures the painter and the viewer. The soul of the painting vibrates when we strike the balance of light and dark. All the other objects must play in the shadows to give drama to the main character.
I am three years now since I was diagnosed with breast cancer that was immediately followed by radical mastectomy and chemotherapy. The battle goes on.
Life has changed then. It has become more meaningful, just like today.
Time flies so fast, and without God and your prayers, I won’t be able to survive those valleys of shadows.
The most beautiful part of this journey is touching God through you. The reason behind a person’s strengths, hope, faith, triumphs in life is because someone, somewhere, prayed. I will go through my routine medical tests on the last week of this month, and thank you for the prayers.
When God allows us to walk in the shadow of death, His presence comforts us in spite of fear and pain. His love is magnified when we need it most.
Philip Brookes once said, “Do not pray for easy times. Pray to be stronger men! Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks.”
If you have time, please visit my blog to see some of my paintings which I am able to document. www.muffetvillegascancerart.blogspot.com
BEGIN WITH A NEW YEAR
A Journey
Dec.29,2007
A Journey Through Cancer
By Muffet Dolar Villegas
Begin with a New Year
The air is like a butterfly
With frail blue wings.
The happy earth looks at the sky
And sings
- Joyce Kilmer
The year 2007 has finally ended with millions of footprints left in the sand. Some were blown away by the wind or washed away along the shores, but there were those which will become part of the fabric of our existence forever, if we let them.
According to an Arabian proverb, “Four things come not back- the spoken word, the sped arrow, the past life and the neglected opportunity.”
There were words we have spoken, which may have created enmity between our closest friends. Some arrows may have hit the mark so well, that that the wound takes time to heal. We must have erected walls, that as time went by they have toughened enough to drive away love and affection. The doors may have opened, but we refused to enter. All these became part of us, and year after year, the burden is mounting, until we feel that we can’t go on.
Yet everyday, we are reminded that the sun rises, and the sun sets. The night becomes a long journey for those of us who didn’t fare well during the day. But every morning, God invites us to begin a new day, a better one than yesterday. We can cast away all our cares and worries because his yoke is easy and his burden is light.
Every New Year, can be a newly primed canvas that we can paint on. Our palette of colors is limited only by our choices.
WE WISH YOU A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Dec.29,2007
A Journey Through Cancer
By Muffet Dolar Villegas
Begin with a New Year
The air is like a butterfly
With frail blue wings.
The happy earth looks at the sky
And sings
- Joyce Kilmer
The year 2007 has finally ended with millions of footprints left in the sand. Some were blown away by the wind or washed away along the shores, but there were those which will become part of the fabric of our existence forever, if we let them.
According to an Arabian proverb, “Four things come not back- the spoken word, the sped arrow, the past life and the neglected opportunity.”
There were words we have spoken, which may have created enmity between our closest friends. Some arrows may have hit the mark so well, that that the wound takes time to heal. We must have erected walls, that as time went by they have toughened enough to drive away love and affection. The doors may have opened, but we refused to enter. All these became part of us, and year after year, the burden is mounting, until we feel that we can’t go on.
Yet everyday, we are reminded that the sun rises, and the sun sets. The night becomes a long journey for those of us who didn’t fare well during the day. But every morning, God invites us to begin a new day, a better one than yesterday. We can cast away all our cares and worries because his yoke is easy and his burden is light.
Every New Year, can be a newly primed canvas that we can paint on. Our palette of colors is limited only by our choices.
WE WISH YOU A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!
MEET MERRY THROUGH JOY
A Journey Through Cancer
Dec.23,2007
A Journey Through Cancer
By Muffet Dolar Villegas
Meet Merry through Joy
In our pursuit to have a merry Christmas, we get caught into the usual grind of endless activities, shopping rush and parties. Most of us forget the reason for the season, and worse, we end up tired, exhausted and without joy. Are you really merry this Christmas? Are you sure that you will have a happy New year?
The problem with Merry and Happy is that they depend so much on our environment and feelings. But Joy comes like a gentle breeze which brings assurance of an unconditional love and acceptance from God. It defies circumstances and situations. It does not end when life ends, but it goes on and on beyond death.
Christmas is almost over, and there are many things that we want to do within the timeframe which God allows. But we get into the rush of Christmas, and before we know its happening, its all over.
Maybe to some of us Christmas is only a happy holiday, or a time when we can receive beautiful gifts or thirteen month pay and even bonuses. It’s a month to sing Christmas carols to bring joy to many houses but ironically, we stretch their patience when we deprive them of the much needed time to rest and sleep when all they had to do after office hours is to get up and entertain five to ten sets of carolers every night. We can also be selfish in thinking that others have to cater to our needs instead of us giving out a helping hand. But really, what is Christmas all about?
When we are reminded of the real meaning of Christmas during programs, we turn a cold cheek and tell ourselves, here we go again, I knew that story since I was a child. It’s all about a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, was born in a manger, with Joseph and Mary who were denied in every home they went because there was no room left for them to stay.
But we like the part where the three wise men gave Jesus wonderful gifts, because at least that justifies our gift giving.
So let us not miss the most precious gift of Salvation that is offered to all mankind, which is the focal point of every Christmas celebration. In John 3:16, it says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” You may go back and read it again. No, this time, slowly, and understand each word. If we take time and really think about this wonderful truth, is there any reason for us not to be joyful? Do you have joy right now as you read? Or your mind goes back to the thirteenth month pay with nothing left because of deductions?
You may receive a BMW car this Christmas from your brother, father or a spouse, but the thing is, like other material things they are perishable, and when you get used to the feeling of being happy, it wanes and becomes empty. The BMW becomes nice again if someone noticed it as brand new. A diamond ring may last forever here on earth but you can never take it with you when you die. All the precious and not so expensive things that we give to those whom we care about are just a tiny fraction of what is given to us for free which is Salvation, through the babe in a manger.
This kind of joy that Jesus gives does not depend on circumstances. This is the joy which brings inner peace amidst poverty, loneliness in sickness and pain or even at the point of death. We can only have a Merry Christmas and a Happy new year despite of anything that we go through if we have that kind of joy in our hearts.
Dec.23,2007
A Journey Through Cancer
By Muffet Dolar Villegas
Meet Merry through Joy
In our pursuit to have a merry Christmas, we get caught into the usual grind of endless activities, shopping rush and parties. Most of us forget the reason for the season, and worse, we end up tired, exhausted and without joy. Are you really merry this Christmas? Are you sure that you will have a happy New year?
The problem with Merry and Happy is that they depend so much on our environment and feelings. But Joy comes like a gentle breeze which brings assurance of an unconditional love and acceptance from God. It defies circumstances and situations. It does not end when life ends, but it goes on and on beyond death.
Christmas is almost over, and there are many things that we want to do within the timeframe which God allows. But we get into the rush of Christmas, and before we know its happening, its all over.
Maybe to some of us Christmas is only a happy holiday, or a time when we can receive beautiful gifts or thirteen month pay and even bonuses. It’s a month to sing Christmas carols to bring joy to many houses but ironically, we stretch their patience when we deprive them of the much needed time to rest and sleep when all they had to do after office hours is to get up and entertain five to ten sets of carolers every night. We can also be selfish in thinking that others have to cater to our needs instead of us giving out a helping hand. But really, what is Christmas all about?
When we are reminded of the real meaning of Christmas during programs, we turn a cold cheek and tell ourselves, here we go again, I knew that story since I was a child. It’s all about a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, was born in a manger, with Joseph and Mary who were denied in every home they went because there was no room left for them to stay.
But we like the part where the three wise men gave Jesus wonderful gifts, because at least that justifies our gift giving.
So let us not miss the most precious gift of Salvation that is offered to all mankind, which is the focal point of every Christmas celebration. In John 3:16, it says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” You may go back and read it again. No, this time, slowly, and understand each word. If we take time and really think about this wonderful truth, is there any reason for us not to be joyful? Do you have joy right now as you read? Or your mind goes back to the thirteenth month pay with nothing left because of deductions?
You may receive a BMW car this Christmas from your brother, father or a spouse, but the thing is, like other material things they are perishable, and when you get used to the feeling of being happy, it wanes and becomes empty. The BMW becomes nice again if someone noticed it as brand new. A diamond ring may last forever here on earth but you can never take it with you when you die. All the precious and not so expensive things that we give to those whom we care about are just a tiny fraction of what is given to us for free which is Salvation, through the babe in a manger.
This kind of joy that Jesus gives does not depend on circumstances. This is the joy which brings inner peace amidst poverty, loneliness in sickness and pain or even at the point of death. We can only have a Merry Christmas and a Happy new year despite of anything that we go through if we have that kind of joy in our hearts.
A SINGLE STEP
My Journey with Cancer
By Muffet Dolar Villegas
A SINGLE STEP
Today, many homes are preparing sumptuous food for everyone for free. Fiesta, is a Filipino tradition which has been with us for many years. Homes are opened and the popular delicacy like lechon (roasted pig) are laid down on the tables complete with apples in their mouths.
Filipino dishes like karekare, adobo, kaldereta, dinuguan, and many more are begging for attention in many residences. This is eat all you can for two days and everything for free for anyone, friends or strangers alike.
But this city of gentle people is not only focusing on food this month. Since November is a Cancer month, many activities, on wellness and prevention of lifestyle causing diseases are held in the city.
Medical practitioners, oncologists from different hospitals in the city are holding series of lectures, forums, exhibits, fundraising, presentations, discounted mammograms to bring awareness about cancer and its prevention. This is spearheaded by Dr. Geena Macalua, Dr. Sheila Flores and Dr. Rachel Rosario. There will be discussions about cancer on Monday “A Night of Disclosure” by Dr. Rachel Rosario at 6 pm at Imay’s restaurant, followed by a lecture on multidisciplinary approach to rectal cancer which will be conducted by three surgeons and oncologists , namely Dr. Antonio Villalon, Dr. Manuel Roxas and Dr. Kathleen Baldivia at 6 pm at Bethel Guest House.
Cynthia Carrion , Assistant Secretary of Sports and Wellness Tourism of the Department of Tourism in the Philippines, also came to Dumaguete city to grace the occasion of the City Fiesta Half Marathon, promoting sports and wellness tourism.
She opened the Sports and Wellness exhibit at 3 pm Friday at the Quezon park , which features many organizations in Negros Oriental and individuals who are involved in promoting health and sports which was organized by the Negros Oriental Department of Trade and Industry, Dumaguete City Tourism and Foundation University. They sold fresh organic fruits and vegetables at the same time, created awareness on Physical therapy programs, the importance of soya drink, promote Filipino sports like arnis, and many more. It runs from nov.23 to25.
Cynthia Carrion, who is involved in many sports and wellness programs here and abroad, stressed in a press conference held in Mamia’s restaurant, the importance of healthy lifestyle for everyone in order to be productive citizens and to enjoy a longer quality life. She is also the personal fitness trainer of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
She emphasized that God created our bodies and we have to take care of them as much as we could. Sports and tourism are good to be put together to improve our country, she explained.
The press conference was well attended by the media, tourism officials, Mayor Tuting Perdices who sponsored lunch for the press conference and Dr. Mira Sinco, the president of Foundation University.
Manuel Sagarbarria, chairman of the city tourism council and Dr. Perry Mequi director of the IYSPEACE are spearheading the first half fiesta martahon project which involves runners from all over the country and local participants.
The marathon stressed more on the importance of health to each individual as many more were challenged to join these activities in the future.
Many big establishment, showed their support by donating food and prizes to the runners who came from all walks of life, children and adults alike.
A lot of people who were involved in preparing and implementing this project, were rewarded as many more see the light of being fit and healthy.
This is a long journey. But it always begin with a single step.
By Muffet Dolar Villegas
A SINGLE STEP
Today, many homes are preparing sumptuous food for everyone for free. Fiesta, is a Filipino tradition which has been with us for many years. Homes are opened and the popular delicacy like lechon (roasted pig) are laid down on the tables complete with apples in their mouths.
Filipino dishes like karekare, adobo, kaldereta, dinuguan, and many more are begging for attention in many residences. This is eat all you can for two days and everything for free for anyone, friends or strangers alike.
But this city of gentle people is not only focusing on food this month. Since November is a Cancer month, many activities, on wellness and prevention of lifestyle causing diseases are held in the city.
Medical practitioners, oncologists from different hospitals in the city are holding series of lectures, forums, exhibits, fundraising, presentations, discounted mammograms to bring awareness about cancer and its prevention. This is spearheaded by Dr. Geena Macalua, Dr. Sheila Flores and Dr. Rachel Rosario. There will be discussions about cancer on Monday “A Night of Disclosure” by Dr. Rachel Rosario at 6 pm at Imay’s restaurant, followed by a lecture on multidisciplinary approach to rectal cancer which will be conducted by three surgeons and oncologists , namely Dr. Antonio Villalon, Dr. Manuel Roxas and Dr. Kathleen Baldivia at 6 pm at Bethel Guest House.
Cynthia Carrion , Assistant Secretary of Sports and Wellness Tourism of the Department of Tourism in the Philippines, also came to Dumaguete city to grace the occasion of the City Fiesta Half Marathon, promoting sports and wellness tourism.
She opened the Sports and Wellness exhibit at 3 pm Friday at the Quezon park , which features many organizations in Negros Oriental and individuals who are involved in promoting health and sports which was organized by the Negros Oriental Department of Trade and Industry, Dumaguete City Tourism and Foundation University. They sold fresh organic fruits and vegetables at the same time, created awareness on Physical therapy programs, the importance of soya drink, promote Filipino sports like arnis, and many more. It runs from nov.23 to25.
Cynthia Carrion, who is involved in many sports and wellness programs here and abroad, stressed in a press conference held in Mamia’s restaurant, the importance of healthy lifestyle for everyone in order to be productive citizens and to enjoy a longer quality life. She is also the personal fitness trainer of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
She emphasized that God created our bodies and we have to take care of them as much as we could. Sports and tourism are good to be put together to improve our country, she explained.
The press conference was well attended by the media, tourism officials, Mayor Tuting Perdices who sponsored lunch for the press conference and Dr. Mira Sinco, the president of Foundation University.
Manuel Sagarbarria, chairman of the city tourism council and Dr. Perry Mequi director of the IYSPEACE are spearheading the first half fiesta martahon project which involves runners from all over the country and local participants.
The marathon stressed more on the importance of health to each individual as many more were challenged to join these activities in the future.
Many big establishment, showed their support by donating food and prizes to the runners who came from all walks of life, children and adults alike.
A lot of people who were involved in preparing and implementing this project, were rewarded as many more see the light of being fit and healthy.
This is a long journey. But it always begin with a single step.
CANCER MONTH
My journey
Nov.11,2007
My Journey with Cancer
Muffet Dolar Villegas
CANCER MONTH
November is a cancer awareness month. The Silliman University Medical Center Foundation commemorates this event with various activities for this month. It started during the midweek service which was held last week at the SUMC which was attended by medical practitioners and cancer patients who still undergo treatment, survivors , and supportive family members. Some of those who were present have encountered cancer through their loved ones who passed away battling the disease. The theme was Living with Cancer.
“Most of us are living with cancer in one way or another,” Said Dr. Geena Macalaua, one of my oncologists who has been actively involved in caring for her patients, not only as a physician, but who goes out of her way in organizing activities that can help her patients.
She stressed that we are part of it as caregivers, those who are in medical professions, relatives and friends of the patients and those who are having been diagnosed with the disease themselves.
Fighting cancer is part our battle to survive in the twenty first century. We have adopted a kind of lifestyle that has dramatically changed from our predecessor centuries ago.
What is a day like to you? Do you wake up early in the morning, grab a cup of coffee, and beat the traffic? Since we are living here in Dumaguete city, the traffic is not as time consuming as you live in other cities like Manila, where you spend half of your lifetime on the road as you commute to work everyday. At noontime, we squeezed in some hurried lunch, at some fast food counter and go back to work. After eating dinner at home, we spend more time to earn more money through other means until we drop dead. Let’s all face it. A regular monthly salary in our country cannot even feed the earner, how much more if you have children and they all go to school?
We spend less time in exercise, because walking an extra mile will cut our time from generating another income, sitting in front of the computer to generate extra money, or baking cakes or prepare ice candies to sell tomorrow for another precious bucks at least for transportation fares.
Our children lead the same lifestyle. We force them to wake up early in the morning, grab the same food we eat, which is often saturated with fat and preservatives( the fastest way to prepare for working moms, which our kids love too.) but sometimes, due to pressure, they can hardly eat, so we pack their lunches for school, eat a hurried lunch then go back to class and eat and drink more junkfoods in between.
We don’t want them to be absent or to be late. They have to accomplish well, regardless if their stomachs are empty. Study, study, then work and work, until one day we discover a lump somewhere or something wrong with our blood chemistry.
How much pressure and abuse can our bodies take before it screams for a STOP? How long can little children take activities after activities and stress before we discover its too late?
Cancer strikes not only the middle aged ones but children and young adults too. It waits for the right combination of stress, nutritional deficiencies that weaken the immune system before it shows up. Latest study from John Hopkins says that every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer cells cannot be detected by standard tests until they have multiplied into a few billions. It revealed that cancer cell occur between 6 to more than ten times in a person’s lifetime.
I stopped nagging at my son everytime he can’t get up early for school since I was diagnosed with cancer. I saw many children with cancer during my treatment at the hospitals and I was confronted with priorities in life. I’m not saying that we should not urge them to the best in school, but I would rather see my son alive than lose him to cancer. Others may call it paranoia, but I live with the reality.
We are caught in the web of many celebrations. We measure our accomplishment with many events and activities. We push our limits or we drive others to it. Our crazy world tells us that you are a loser if you can’t reach its standard. The mass media is telling us how to be cool by the world’s standards. But the bottom line is our health, and the quality of life we lead. Life is a gift from God, just like salvation. But like a gift, you are free to accept or reject it.
Nov.11,2007
My Journey with Cancer
Muffet Dolar Villegas
CANCER MONTH
November is a cancer awareness month. The Silliman University Medical Center Foundation commemorates this event with various activities for this month. It started during the midweek service which was held last week at the SUMC which was attended by medical practitioners and cancer patients who still undergo treatment, survivors , and supportive family members. Some of those who were present have encountered cancer through their loved ones who passed away battling the disease. The theme was Living with Cancer.
“Most of us are living with cancer in one way or another,” Said Dr. Geena Macalaua, one of my oncologists who has been actively involved in caring for her patients, not only as a physician, but who goes out of her way in organizing activities that can help her patients.
She stressed that we are part of it as caregivers, those who are in medical professions, relatives and friends of the patients and those who are having been diagnosed with the disease themselves.
Fighting cancer is part our battle to survive in the twenty first century. We have adopted a kind of lifestyle that has dramatically changed from our predecessor centuries ago.
What is a day like to you? Do you wake up early in the morning, grab a cup of coffee, and beat the traffic? Since we are living here in Dumaguete city, the traffic is not as time consuming as you live in other cities like Manila, where you spend half of your lifetime on the road as you commute to work everyday. At noontime, we squeezed in some hurried lunch, at some fast food counter and go back to work. After eating dinner at home, we spend more time to earn more money through other means until we drop dead. Let’s all face it. A regular monthly salary in our country cannot even feed the earner, how much more if you have children and they all go to school?
We spend less time in exercise, because walking an extra mile will cut our time from generating another income, sitting in front of the computer to generate extra money, or baking cakes or prepare ice candies to sell tomorrow for another precious bucks at least for transportation fares.
Our children lead the same lifestyle. We force them to wake up early in the morning, grab the same food we eat, which is often saturated with fat and preservatives( the fastest way to prepare for working moms, which our kids love too.) but sometimes, due to pressure, they can hardly eat, so we pack their lunches for school, eat a hurried lunch then go back to class and eat and drink more junkfoods in between.
We don’t want them to be absent or to be late. They have to accomplish well, regardless if their stomachs are empty. Study, study, then work and work, until one day we discover a lump somewhere or something wrong with our blood chemistry.
How much pressure and abuse can our bodies take before it screams for a STOP? How long can little children take activities after activities and stress before we discover its too late?
Cancer strikes not only the middle aged ones but children and young adults too. It waits for the right combination of stress, nutritional deficiencies that weaken the immune system before it shows up. Latest study from John Hopkins says that every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer cells cannot be detected by standard tests until they have multiplied into a few billions. It revealed that cancer cell occur between 6 to more than ten times in a person’s lifetime.
I stopped nagging at my son everytime he can’t get up early for school since I was diagnosed with cancer. I saw many children with cancer during my treatment at the hospitals and I was confronted with priorities in life. I’m not saying that we should not urge them to the best in school, but I would rather see my son alive than lose him to cancer. Others may call it paranoia, but I live with the reality.
We are caught in the web of many celebrations. We measure our accomplishment with many events and activities. We push our limits or we drive others to it. Our crazy world tells us that you are a loser if you can’t reach its standard. The mass media is telling us how to be cool by the world’s standards. But the bottom line is our health, and the quality of life we lead. Life is a gift from God, just like salvation. But like a gift, you are free to accept or reject it.
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