My Testimony

First, I would like to praise the Lord for the opportunity of suffering and be personally taught by the Master Himself the reason..why I had to acquire Colon Cancer.. and be discovered at third stage. Last week (May 21-23, 2010), my last chemo cycle was completed and now waiting for confirmatory tests (Colonoscopy, bone scanning, CT Scan, blood exams etc) to determine my final status. (Though I already claimed God's healing after the first chemo treatment). The discovery of the 3rd stage in itself could give you an idea of God's purpose why. God intends to teach me and my family a thing or 2 about the depth of our relationship with Him and learn about the sufficiency of His Grace!

Learning about the sufficiency of His grace is not easy for us. We had to hit rock bottom in our finances just to know that God cares and He provides. We learned of the disease right after being devastated by typhoon Ondoy as if it that is not enough. Having cancer is not a cheap disease. Medicine alone will bleed you dry..let alone the need for surgery in my case. Last November 26, 2009, I had to undergo an operation to remove the tumor cells in my colon and a part of my liver to remove a 1cm cyst. The Oncologist had recommended that I undergo 6 chemotheraphy cycles and radiation. One chemo cycle alone costs a lot and had to endure the chemo drug effects in my body (drug withdrawal stage). Every month we have to really pray a lot in order to survive. My family pitched in, my sister and some of our EFVV brethren helped. Even the EFC church help for Ondoy was used for my treatment. Each month for us is both struggle and a celebration of victory for us! We have to really pray hard for the money to come in. And as if the flood and cancer disease is not enough..I was hospitalized in between my 3rd and 4th chemo cycle due to severe diarrhea and was dehydrated. I was confined for a week at the Medical City Hospital in Pasig under treatment for LBM..considering the following week would be my 4th chemo cycle at Mary Johnston Hospital.

At this point, we could not make sense why God allowed me to undergo such ordeal. We didn't really know..until after the 4th cycle where I was able to immediately recover from my chemo in 5 days which usually takes me 10-11 days to recover based on my 3 cycles. The continuous bowel movement helped in cleansing my system of the chemo drugs inside my body. God really works for good to them that love Him and are called according to His purpose. But one thing is sure..God used a lot of people to help..even a Christian lady from the US whom we don't know helped materially. My husband's American lady boss continually expresses her concern and prays for me. And the EFVV church, friends and relatives here (Philippines) and abroad (US, Canada, Australia, UK, Singapore, Malaysia etc) never fails to pray for us!!

I'd like to take this opportunity as well to thank all of you who have taken this journey with me..Those who lend us their cars while ours was in the shop for repair, because of Ondoy, to make sure that I would be comfortable when doing consulation and trips to the Mary Johnston Hospital located in Tondo, Manila. Those who encouraged me each time I would be able to come to church, those who visited me at home while on recovery..'MARAMING SALAMAT/THANK YOU!'

Lastly, let me share this to you..I might say, the reason that I have not taken yet to heaven after trusting in Christ for salvation..is that for me to know of the sufficiency of His grace (2 Corinthians 12:9) and God has work for me to do...to make visible the invisible Christ - by touching peoples' lives with His love and care..that is, what you do in Jesus name will be His work through you!! TO GOD BE THE GLORY!