She, they MOTHERED!

Breast Cancer patient, remains positive despite illness

"Just keep going, just fight for life."

Even losing her chest and hair because of the disease you are dealing with; she still remains positive in life and serve as a light in the home.

The pain felt by Bernadette Meneses, 52 years old, did not become an obstacle and did not diminish her ability to be a beacon for her two children.

Liezette Meneses, 21 years old, described her mother as her best friend.

"Mama is like my best friend. I hope she can go back to what he used to, (such as) his work and normal life. She will also be strong because there is still a lot to go through," the daughter said.

The lady told that in June 2021 she had a hard lump under her left breast that was about the size of a thumb.

It was December that year when she went to a surgeon. Her doctor said he needs to undergo a biopsy, immunochemical and some tests to confirm her condition.

It was this January that she found out the result of his consultation last year. It came out of her diagnosis that she has Invasive Breast cancer and it is already in Stage 2.

According to the doctor, she needs to go through surgery to remove the left breast to get rid of the tumor and prevent the cancer from spreading in her body.

After her surgery this past March, he still had to go through 18 cycles of chemotherapy, now there are only ten cycles left to completely improve his condition.

"If there is a way to get better, try it. You must not defeat the pain," she said

Despite what she is going through, the lady remains strong and positive in life. She is thankful to the people who helped and supported him, especially to her husband and two daughters.

Like other cancer patients who are facing hair loss and permanent baldness from chemotherapy or radiation treatment, wigs and bonnets often become a support or alternative to hair loss.

Badeth's advised the public to see a doctor or an expert immediately if they feel any symptoms or feel abnormal in the body. He added, don't worry about expenses because there are many people and government agencies willing to help for them.

"You have to continue with life, it's not because you have breast cancer that your life seems to have collapsed. Just keep going. Just fight life," her advice.

Based on the paper published by CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed worldwide. It is estimated that there will be approximately 2.3 million new cases of women with breast cancer in the year 2021, accounting for 11.7% of all new cancer cases.

The Philippines has the highest prevalence of breast cancer in Asia, and the 9th highest in the world today. According to the Statistica Research Department, in 2020 approximately 27.2 thousand new cases of breast cancer were recorded in the country. this cancer has the largest number of cancer cases and the disease is considered one of the main causes of death in the Philippines.

Widows society: Shelter of love

To be left alone is like living in a dark home, lifeless, and pure loneliness. One Janeth Cabingas experienced this but she did not let her life continue like that. She founded an association for her fellow widows or widowers that will form a shelter to patch up the love they left behind.

"My mother and I are both widows, we are the ones who founded this association in Balibago. I am the president now because he can no longer administer. He just checked up because of his illness" he said.

Janeth's spouse died of heart disease but she founded an organization to prove to every creature that she can live even if her partner has left.

"During the first year, they seemed to be having second thoughts about joining our organization. Then after a while they liked what we were doing, my fellow widows" she added.

Their established association has been in existence for six years. In their first year of encouragement, the majority of those who joined their group were still afraid, but after several years of the said organization's existence, more and more widows joined their organization.

Since Janeth Cabingas has taken over her mother's position, she wants to develop helping and activities so that they can encourage more.

"I will hold a meeting for what I plan to do. I want to be productive and help the people" he said.

One of the things he thought of doing was planting a garden. He will also conduct Medical Check-up Health although this is what he does and makes a living at the Center.

In order not to miss his loved ones, he wants his fellow widowers to turn their attention to civic affairs. Every time they meet, they talk about important things that will help in their area.

It seems that they are treated like family because of their shared experiences. "It's like the Lord intended this to bring us closer together," he said.

They spend their time with each other and are generous in helping each other.

Although left by their spouse, they proved that it is not the end, if not the continuation of the race of life. They made their own shelter so that every piece of their heart can meet together with the help that springs and is sincere in the heart.