Page 42 - The Big C

On August 26, I travelled to Davao to visit my brother
Romar and his family. There, I met his friend, an oncologist.
He prayed and recommended me to a nephrologist upon
seeing the result of my creatinine level of 6.3. On August
29, the nephrologist declared that I have a stage 5 chronic
kidney disease with a critical hemoglobin level. I was
recommended for dialysis. I was hesitant to undergo
dialysis, but after further explanations and with the support
of my siblings, I became fully determined. I believed it was
God's way of extending my life and to continue serving Him.

From August 31 to September 7, I underwent surgery for
internal jugular vein catheter insertion on the right chest in
a medical center in South Cotabato. I was unconscious for
five days. Many prayed for me, my family, relatives,
colleagues, Christian brethren, and friends in Luzon,
Visayas, Mindanao, Canada, Germany, and the USA.
Praise God! On the 7th day, I was back to being conscious.
However, I was advised to have dialysis twice a week. At
first, I felt discouraged and hopeless. But I remember Paul’s
example and realize we must trust God in every situation.
We need to depend on Him. God provided everything he
needed. That caused my eagerness to grow more and share
the gospel with people. I encourage them to have an intimate
relationship with our Lord Jesus as their personal Lord and
Savior.
On September 10, I returned home to Bacolod, where
Katrina accompanied me. I thank God that I surrounded
myself with people who cared for, loved, prayed for, and
looked out for me always and made my life meaningful. I'm
so grateful; He has given me family, friends, and fellow
workers who bless me daily with kind words and actions. I
thank God for the strength He gives me daily and for
everything in my life. Good and bad. They were blessings
and lessons in life. I'm so grateful for them all.

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