Cancer Journey Sharing of Elsa De Leon Dantis

MY CANCER JOURNEY

Good day, everyone! Allow me to introduce myself, I am Elsa De Leon Dantis, 48 yo, single, from Carmona Cavite, diagnosed with Right Breast Cancer, undergone surgery of Total Mastectomy on August 06, 2018, but a cancer winner of more than 3 years from the time of cancer diagnosis.

I want to Praise God for my life! By His grace and His mercy, I am still in good shape. I really thank God for fighting this BIG Battle for me. All things became possible for me because of God’s grace. Despite of what happened and experienced, blessings after blessings came my way during this trial. Glory to you, oh God!

I also want to thank my siblings, nieces and nephews, my family and relatives, my best friends, my employer, my love ones and all my heaven-sent angels for all the love, care, and support mentally, financially, and spiritually to ease my “BIG C” journey. From day 1 up to this day, their expression of love, encouragement, concern and assistance could not be underrated.

I can say that my cancer journey started in 2016 when I felt a lump on the side of my right breast. Yes, it was already big! I did not consult to a doctor because of fear, nervous, anxiety, and apprehension. “Sabi ko po, ayokong magpatingin sa duktor, pag nagpunta ako sa duktor sa mas malamang na magkakaroon ako ng sakit.” But I know to myself that’s only my way of denying the possible condition I may have at that time. May I just say, that my mother once had a breast cancer then, and after a year of surgery, it metastasized in her bones that led eventually of losing her. This horrible episode of our lives made me even more so scared to seek a professional care. But, of course, that was a wrong move - wrong decision ever! I lived my everyday life as normal as possible. With all of these on my shoulder, I silently turned to God and pray fervently. “Please po, Lord, wag Nyo pong ipapahintulot na magka-cancer ako!” I prayed so hard every minute of my day.

But, early of 2017, aside from the lump, I have felt and seen other signs and symptoms on my breast – kumikirot ang bukol, may maliliit at maninipis na pulang ugat sa upper right breast ko, at napansin kong lumulubog ang isang side ng nipple ko. June of 2017, I was so frightened when I got to see an FB post asserting a fact about Breast Cancer Signs & Symptoms! Everything that was mentioned in the article has been with me! Di ko po alam ang gagawin ko that time. I felt anxious, horrified, and didn’t know what to think. I decided to go to a hospital for Breast Ultrasound after my birthday in July 04, so that I can still be happy on my birthday. On July 17, 2017, the day that I was finally determined to do my breast examination at New Sinai MDI Hospital in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, the sonographer told me right away that the mass on my right breast was highly malignant and advised me to consult a surgeon immediately. Hindi ko po sana balak muna sabihin sa kahit kanino sa pamilya ko, not until masiguro ko po muna sana ang totoong condition ko para ma-spare ko po sila sa kahit ilang araw lang na wala silang alam. But my cousin who happened to work in that hospital informed her mother who is my aunt, and from there everybody knew about my condition. I got a referral to a surgeon for a mass biopsy and suggested to me an incisional biopsy. On August 01, 2017, I was given a local anesthesia in preparation of the biopsy procedure, but unfortunately, it did not numb the feelings of the area for the incision. Ramdam na ramdam ko po ang lahat ng hiwa at dalirot ng duktor, sobrang sakit po, sigaw ako ng sigaw the whole time of the procedure. August 05, 2017, I received the result of my biopsy – INVASIVE DUCTAL CARCINOMA! I, supposed to be, not to be surprised because this is just a confirmation of what I already assumed & knew. My immediate response was to cried and cried and cried. I was petrified, scared to death, agitated, and thinking that I received my death sentence that day. But, after I got tired of crying and thinking, I GOT UP AND PICKED MYSELF UP! Sabiko po sa sarili ko, CANCER LANG ITO!

From that day on, at the age of 45, I started my hospital trips. I went through with so much of clinical laboratories, tests, and examinations. I have started my 1^st session of chemotherapy on September 01, 2017 and have it done every 21days cycle. I’ve finished my 3 sessions of chemotherapy as planned by my oncologist. In reference with the plan of my oncologist & surgeon, first to finished 3 sessions of chemotherapy, then I have to undergo an operation and right after another 6 sessions of chemotherapy again. But the plan did not happen because of my fear to go through an operation. Immediately after my 3^rd session of chemotherapy, I heard about Dra. Farrah. I went back and forth to Tarlac for consultation and followed all the food protocol and herbal preparations of Dra. Farrah for 9 months, until it closed. That signaled my intention to go back to the hospital. My employer told me to go to Asian Hospital to consult an oncologist and that she will help me in my expenses. I did the consultation and gave me referral of few lab tests I need to take before we proceed to whatever treatment or procedure I have to faced.

I really humbled myself to God and asked Him to please give me the best doctor that could really help me in my health condition. Ipadala Mo po, oh God, ang duktor na galing sa Iyo para makaligtas po ako sa sakit ko ngaun. Ibigay Mo po sa akin ang extension ng Iyong Kamay for my healing. Alam ko po Diyos ko na lahat ng opinion at suggestion ng nasa paligid ko ay para sa ikabubuti ko kaya please guide my way, my decisions, at lahat ng dadaanan ko. Please fight this battle for me, oh Father God. Di ko po kaya itong mag-isa. Palakasin Mo po ang pananampalataya ko at turuan Mo po akong magtiwala ng lubusan Sa’yo. I surrender everything to You, Father God. In Jesus’ Name. Amen. That’s my prayer to God. And He did answer my prayers!

A day before I submit myself to the requested lab tests, I’ve checked on the internet for the best diagnostics center, clinic, and laboratory. The night of July 19, 2018, I decided to go to Sta. Rosa for my lab tests. I don’t know for whatever reason; I drove my car to Hi-Precision – Alabang. My aunt, who’s with me all throughout my cancer journey, asked me what we were doing in Alabang. I answered her, I don’t know. There, we met Ms. Mayvell. She wore a headscarf and I knew then that we are on the same boat. My aunt and I approached Ms. Mayvell and talked to her. Ang hindi po namin maintindihan kung bakit kami sa Hi-Precision – Alabang napunta that morning was answered by Ms. Mayvell. Siya po pala ang padala ng Diyos sa akin para sagutin ang mga dasal ko sa Kanya! Siya po ang nagturo sa akin para matagpuan ko ang hinihiling kong best doctor na magiging extension ng Kamay ng Diyos - Dr. Reynaldo Joson!

I immediately contacted Ma’am Beth and set an appointment with Doc Joson on July 24, 2018. Sobrang blessed po ang feeling ko nang makausap ko si Doc. Nag-uumapaw po ang pasasalamat sa puso ko para sa Diyos dahil may isang Doc Joson na pinadala Sya sa akin. I was so amazed that on that same day I got my schedule of operation (Modified Radical Mastectomy - Right) at Philippine General Hospital arranged by Ma’am Beth. On August 06, 2018 at 5:30 in the morning, I was fetched in my room to prepare me for my operation. While in the operating room, Doc Joson kept on talking to me of anything. I know that it was his way to make me feel calm and to give me courage. Hindi ko po maipaliwanag, pero by God’s grace and His mercy, sobrang excited po ako sa day of my operation. Ang huling nalaman ko po ay nag-uusap kami ni Doc, kasunod po ay gumising na ako sa recovery room. After my operation, my aunt met Doc Joson for some instructions. Ang unang salita raw po narinig ng tita ko kay Doc, “napakaswerteng bata!” Indeed, not only lucky, but really BLESSED! After a week of operation, I returned to Doc Joson for check-up. And now, I heard myself his word of “napakaswerte mo!” No need for chemotherapy for me, just take tamoxifen and check-up every month to our ever compassionate, caring, and tireless doctor. I thank God for your life, Doc! We all love you!!!

I really thank God for everything. I don’t have any regret or whatsoever. I never questioned God when I heard the diagnosis. I know that God just teach me something, that He is just redirecting me, that He has the best plan for me. I put all my HOPE, TRUST, and FAITH in HIM alone!

Now, I am in remission for 3years and counting. And allow me to say, “I AM PROUD OF MY SCAR!”

#BigCisNothingMyGODisBIGGER #GodIsGood #AllThingsArePossibleWithGod #ThankyouLord! #ThankyouTheFeast