Hello,

I would like to share with you a testimony of my life changing experience with the Lord while battling with the disease of breast cancer.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer August of 2008. I consider it as one of the most severe and difficult trials I have ever gone through in my life. I admit that during the most difficult moments, I experienced being weak and afraid . And I honestly even sometimes wavered in my faith. I remember asking God questions - questions that I know that are asked not only by me but also by other Christians who are undergoing similar trials: Why should it be me Lord ? Why Breast Cancer? What have I done God that you sent me this kind of affliction? Are you displeased with me God ? But what stood out for me was that during those times that I was in pain, confused, lost, discouraged and weary, the Lord would always fill me with His love and comfort. I experienced this through His powerful Word, through intimate worship, prayers and through people. The Book of Psalms deeply touched me, especially where the Psalmists sang out their praises to God. That even in the midst of severe sufferings and trials their hearts were overwhelmed by God’s goodness in their lives. The Psalmist’s story and wonderful appreciation for the Lord deeply touched and inspired me. These passages from the Holy Bible directed me to fight back the disease of breast cancer with our loving God.



He showed me a way, His way.

Fighting this terrible disease was not easy. Aside from struggling with emotional anxieties and confronting a spiritual battle with the enemy, I worried about financial matters. Cancer is a very expensive disease. After it was confirmed that I was positive for cancer, I immediately thought of applying for a loan at some government agency to finance my medical expenses. I knew I needed a huge amount to complete my treatment so the best recourse was to avail of loans. However, the Lord had other plans. He showed me a way, His way. Something so much better than my own plans. He needed for me to know that He alone is my Source and Resource. I was truly amazed and I was in constant awe of Him. God touched a lot of people in my church, Calvary Chapel Dumaguete, to share their financial resources with me. Not only material resources were given but also care, love and unceasing prayers. I am grateful to each and everyone. And to you church, your support inspired me and encouraged me to move on. I am also thankful to the leadership of this church for all the support given to me. I would like to especially mention two very caring people, my friend Janice and my boss Pastor Jo. By God’s grace, my three treatments were all financially covered without me having to borrow money. Indeed, God provides and is fully aware of our material needs. His provision is beyond that we can imagine.



I praise God for our medical doctors here in our church.

My surgeon in Cebu recommended neo adjuvant chemotherapy. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy refers to drug treatment given to people with cancer prior to surgery. The aim is to reduce the size of the cancer before surgery, thus making surgery easier and more likely to be successful.There were a lot of medical and laboratory examinations I had to undergo before I could go through with this kind of treatment. I praise God for our medical doctors here in our church namely: Dr. Moleta, Dr. Rosario, Dr. Limbaga and Dr. Lucille Teves who patiently looked after me and helped me out in all the preparations that I needed to speed up my chemo treatment in Cebu. All their professional fees they waived for my sake. I’m glad the Lord sent them here in this church so I may know them and consult their professional help with confidence. May God continue to bless your hearts and the work of your hands.



The Lord never left me nor did He forsake me.

In Cebu, though so many miles away from my comfort zone, the Lord has proven to me that His resources are not limited. His love and faithfulness carried me through regardless of where I was. At first, I was hesitant to go to Cebu for treatment because there were a lot of concerns in my heart. First, I don’t know a lot of people there unlike in Dumaguete, Next, accommodation would be very expensive because I would be staying in hotels or pension houses and thirdly, I only have one friend to run to in case I’ll run out of money. Lots of odds and disadvantages to consider but I clearly heard God’s voice to go with the assurance that His ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts are not ours. God changed my perspective by instructing me to proceed to Cebu regardless of those uncertainties. He reminded me to just put my full trust in Him because He is a trustworthy God and His grace and power are sufficient for my need.

True to His promises, the Lord never left me nor did He forsake me. He used a Christian couple, the wife, my batch mate in high school to open their house for me to stay for free as long as I wanted to. So, every time, I go to Cebu for chemo treatment, I stayed at their place in Lapu-Lapu with the special privilege of using one of their vehicles to take me to the hospital and take me home with an assigned driver. They were so kind to me and saw to it that my needs are well taken cared of. Aside from my friend, God also used my nephew who is presently assigned in Cebu to assist me in every way that he can. He has been so very accommodating and willing to do some errands for me. These, I really am grateful and thankful to the Lord for sending and using wonderful people like them to take care of my needs.



I wrestled with God…

I had my operation for modified radical mastectomy last November 26, 2008. Before that, I had three concerns I wrestled with God: First I needed two blood donors of my blood type because I needed to undergo blood transfusion before the said operation. Second, I wish one of the medical team of Dr. Coronel is a Born Again Christian, Thirdly, enough financial provision and fourthly, my fast recovery with no complications or infection whatsoever.



He worked in ways I could really never imagine.

Amazingly, the Lord favorably granted all the above requests beyond my expectation. He worked in ways I could really never imagine. As for blood donors, the Lord used ABS-CBN blood letting program two days before my blood transfusion to supply the blood type that I need. Through this program, I was able to save some amount because I only paid the hospital the screening fee of P6,970 for 2 bags of blood instead of the total amount of P16,000.

The day before my scheduled surgery, one of the medical team by the name of Dr. Lee came to my room and did some interview with me. She is the assistant of Dr. Mary Allene Rama, my Anesthesiologist. Later, I found out that she is a Christian and long been attending church at Bethany Church in Cebu City. Before she left my room, she prayed for me and I was so blessed and filled with joy because the Lord indeed heard my heart’s desire. We met again the next day at the Operating Room and her presence with the medical team built my trust and confidence that the Lord is surely with me all throughout the operation.



God sufficiently provided.

When I left Dumaguete, I only brought along P70,000 with me in cash to be used for my operation. I knew it was not enough to cover my hospital bills but I chose to trust the Lord for financial provision. I did not ask any financial help from my family because I just let the Lord work in His amazing ways. It was only me and my niece who went to Chong Hua hospital during my admission. The next day I was thankful to the Lord because my 2 sisters came to assist me during the duration of my operation. Our eldest sister handed me some money and I praise God because it covered some of my medical bills. The following day, I received a text message from my officemate that our midyear bonus was already released and I could check it out with my ATM. I was overwhelmed with joy because the Lord’s timing is really perfect. By God’s grace, I was able to fully pay my account with Chong Hua because the Lord sufficiently provided.



God is Sovereign!

I did not stay long at the hospital. I was only confined for five days because my surgeon saw no complications insofar as my operation is concerned. The Lord has faithfully sustained me especially at times when I was in pain and during those times I thought of giving up. He always touched me with His care and love through the medical staff at Chong Hua Hospital and the people around me. He always listens to my cries, prayers and struggles in life.

My beloved church mates, this is the God we know and we are worshipping now in this church. He is not confined by our finite imagination. If I can trust in God with my circumstances, then, you can trust in God with your circumstances as well.

Now I understand why God allowed me to be afflicted with breast cancer. That I may be able to testify of His goodness and faithfulness in my life to others. Psalm 118:18 says: The Lord has chastened me severely but he has not given me over to death. God is still sovereign despite what happens in our lives and He alone deserves our praise and worship.

Finally, please do continue to back me up in prayer. My next chemo treatment is scheduled on January 5, 2009. I still have three more chemo treatments to go and honestly, it’s not easy for me. The side effects are sometimes hard for me to handle. But one good thing is, we have a God who remains steadfast and true in His promises. He who started a good work in our lives is committed to complete it. Let’s continue to hold on to Him and draw our strength from Him alone. Let His mighty name be exalted and praised by all His creation both now and forevermore. Amen.

Thank you very much.