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I am Gilda, proud to say that I am a survivor of Stage II Breast Cancer for 12 years and counting. My story began in October 2008, I was 34 years old back then, a mother of two beautiful children who were 6 and 10 years old and wife to an OFW working at Dubai, UAE. I was a hardworking government employee working 5 days a week, and a hands-on mother 24/7. Since it was only my children and I at our home in the Philippines, I had no choice but to physically do everything for my children since my husband was also working hard for us abroad. That meant that I would be driving my children to school on weekdays and spend a 45-minute drive to my work place which was relatively far from the City Proper. In the afternoon, I would be fetching my children from their tutorial sessions and we would most probably be eating dinner at a fast food chain since it was too much for me to cook at home.
Before my husband left for Dubai in 2006, I had already felt something different with my body, I experienced a lot of different symptoms but the one that really shed light to the reality of the situation was the lump that I had felt in my right breast under my nipple area. I told my husband about these and he told me to see a doctor, but as a stubborn person, I did not give in right away, I told him that it might just be the side effects of my monthly menstruation and it might lessen when my menstruation ends. What he did not know was the real reason for me pushing away his concerned thoughts was that I was genuinely troubled at the thought that going for a check-up would cost a lot of money, much more if I would be diagnosed with any illness.
Sometime in August 2008, I had felt pain in my right left mostly at night which I learned was a symptom of the Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS). It was also this time that my boss asked me to attend an important seminar in Manila, I took that opportunity with the intention to not only attend the seminar but to also get myself checked. The doctors advised me to take a blood chemistry test and MRI on my right leg. When the results came in, it said that my inflammatory marker (CPR Blood Test) was higher than usual, which meant that there was something wrong. On that same day, I felt an extreme pain and burning sensation in my right breast, it was as if I had been electrocuted; the pain was extremely severe that I had to stop walking. It hit me that the pain I have felt was the most painful thing I have experienced in my entire life. With this, I came to the realization that I should really start to do something and maybe a needle biopsy on my breast would be the best option at the moment.
In October 8, 2008, I went to get my results from the biopsy, along with my best friend, Manang Helen. I had then realized that it was only a couple of days before our city’s feast which was devoted to Señor La Vigin del Pilar, remembering that, I had prayed even harder for the results to turn out normal. Sadly, when I was holding the results’ paper, I saw the word “carcinoma,” even if I was unsure of what it meant, one thing was for sure – it was cancer. Manang Helen immediately contacted her daughter, who was a nurse, to confirm the meaning behind the results, as she received the reply her eyes started to water, from that moment I knew that I was right – it was indeed cancer. When the doctor’s secretary finally called me inside, I immediately handed the results to the doctor and she told me “You have breast cancer.” These words broke me so much that all I could do was burst into tears. The doctor then left the room to give me time to take it all in before talking about anything else. Luckily, I had my best friend with me, who kept me strong and was my “shoulder to cry on.” I honestly do not know what to feel at that time, it was like my life was flashing before my eyes as I cried. It felt like the end of the world for me. When the doctor came back, Helen was asking further questions – the treatment, the next steps, all the necessary details. The only I could ask for was “Doc, mamamataynabaako?” and just kept on crying.
Before finally deciding to go for an operation, I underwent 3 different tests to confirm my diagnosis. I had the option to be operated by the previous doctors who initiated my tests but I had decided to be operated by Doctor Joson and him only. Doctor Reynaldo Joson, who was a skilled doctor that was highly recommended by our physician at my workplace, made me feel that I was safe with him and that I could trust him. The way he explained the illness, the procedure, the treatment, chemotherapy – everything really enlightened me to the situation I was in and gave me hope in some way as well. After undergoing the operation, I only underwent chemotherapy for 7 sessions because the 7th session traumatized me. I was rushed to the hospital for not being able to breathe properly after my 7th session which made me decide that I will not be completing my sessions anymore.
It was when I regularly went to Manila that I had thought of an idea – to start up a business. I thought that this would help me in diverting my attention to the sorrowful situation I was in. Whenever I went to Manila for check-ups, I would also buy things that I could sell back in Zamboanga. I even made personalized clips and headbands to sell. Not long after, the businesses I had built were growing in size and number. The money I gained here has also helped me in sustaining my medical expenses. I believe that these were my coping tactics. These ultimately helped me in believing in myself again, trusting that I would be able to achieve anything and not be too pessimistic about life anymore. It was also during this time that my faith in God grew stronger and more intimate. We were already a very religious family but became even more God-fearing.
Taking all of these into consideration, I had realized that health is very important, it is not something we should take for granted especially because treatment is expensive and money is a luxury. It is crucial to have greens or vegetables in every meal, I was a picky eater when I was young and only learned to eat vegetables when I grew up. I had also learned that one should never hesitate going to the doctor to confirm a symptom. It is always better to be aware and avoid the worst scenarios than be complacent and meet ends. I had also learned to always love yourself and realize that God made you for a reason, and you should not just give up when an unexpected situation arises. I have always believed that God gives His strongest soldiers the most challenging situations because He knows that his strongest soldier can get through it.
With this, I say that it is important to believe in yourself and your capabilities and look at the brighter side of things. Challenging situations will prove how strong you are and it is only when you do not give up that you have won over that situation. It is also very important to take in consideration the people around you, how they have supported and carried you back to your feet, always be thankful to the people who have helped and are still helping. If you are to be diagnosed with cancer, you have to remember all of this. To everyone who’s fighting cancer, believe in yourself and pray. It will all be well, you are stronger than cancer!
Gilda Montesclaros – Kibtiani
Stage II – 11 years Breast Cancer Survivor
Caregiver's Testimony
I was at a seminar in Roxas when I knew about Gilda’s results being positive. Right then and there, I cried. Gilda and I discussed how we should meet up since I was already in Manila and we were planning to have her operation in the same city. I realized that it would be better if I went home and for us to go to Manila together since I was also short on clothes. I was with her all throughout her operation journey and prayed for her every chance that I can. After her operation, I was told that she would still have to stay in the recovery room for at least two hours. During that time, all I could really do was pray and hope for the best. When the time came that I was already able to go and see her, I immediately hugged her even if she was still unconscious. We spent 15 days in Manila because after the operation, she had to go for regular check-ups and dressing changes. As a mother, I was very disheartened of her situation but tried to be as optimistic as possible for her. Because at that time, she becoming really pessimistic and kept saying that being able to live for 10 more years to witness her children’s growth would mean so much to her already as if she was ready to die. I would constantly remind her that she should think such thoughts and should just pray for the best because we had a great faith in God. Witnessing her undergo chemotherapy sessions was a sight I would never wish to see again; she has always described the pain as unimaginable and extremely heart wrenching. There were even times that she would vomit so hard and it really broke my heart that I cried. In the first few months, I would still go with her to Manila for her regular check-ups but eventually she was able to go by herself. This was the time when she started up her own business and took the thought of having cancer out of her head. I had learned that acceptance is really important, if you deny reality, it would only be harder for you and the people around you. I had also realized how prayers are extremely powerful which made me offer thanksgiving letters every year on the date she had been operated to thank the Lord God for keeping her safe and staying by her side at all times.
Leonisa L Montesclaros
Mother and Caregiver
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