Cancer Journey Sharing of Juanita M. Navarro

As narrated by daughter Mayvell Navarro Cordova. Both mother and daughter have breast cancers.

Cancer Journey of my Mother - Curtain Call

My mother is Juanita M. Navarro. She was diagnosed with breast cancer stage 3C. She underwent surgery last september of 2019 and completed chemotherapy in January 2020.

Having one cancer patient in the family is already challenging. But to have two members, it’s really very overwhelming. In our case, Mother’s love have been a big factor. My mother sacrificed getting treatment for me.

My mother only revealed that she had lump on her breast when I was diagnosed. She was so afraid of going to the doctor and be given medical attention. While I was receiving treatment, she was just supporting and the one assisting me even if, she, herself needed to be treated.

My mother sacrificed a lot. She knew that we would be having a hard time supporting her medical expenses if ever. Aside from that, she had this fear and anxiety in knowing the truth about her illness. She opted to get herbal treatments. She did not want to undergone surgery and other treatments.

After sometimes, when I told her that we could support her medications, she agreed to be brought to the doctor. I think, apprehensions and fear will always be present to people suffering with terminal illness.

Dr. Joson was her doctor too. And Dr. Joson supported her as well.

My mother always accompanied me anywhere I go. She also joined Cancer Crusader Club Christmas party last year, not just as my companion but a cancer survivor as well.

Unfortunately, my mother passed away last October 7, 2020. Cancer re-occurred and she was diagnosed stage 4, with metastasis in lungs and bones. She had tuberculosis as well.

I know she wanted to survive. She still wanted to be with us. But God has other plans. She was supposed to have oral chemo but her body could not take its side effects anymore. She told me she wanted to go. She wanted me to get a rest since I was the one looking after her when she started getting sick again. She was really suffering.

It was painful to see a loved one slowly deteriorating in front of your eyes. That whenever I looked at her then, it seemed that she was just waiting for God to get her.

She told me she loved us and that she was so sorry that she could not help me anymore. She told me to take care of my sibling and be strong for everyone. That I should not let myself be sick again.

It’s hard and we are all still in the process of accepting that she is no longer around. I know she will always be with us in spirit. I will always tell my mother that she had a great journey and she gave a good fight. She did well and she worked hard and we will always love her more than 3000.

Mayvell Navarro-Cordova

Daughter of Juanita M. Navarro