My journey to recovery

Me posing with different styled wigs

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

I WAS diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer last Sept. 12 and to say that it was a complete turnaround for me would be an understatement. 

The diagnosis came 15 days before the Philippines observes Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October and about seven years after I had surgery on the same breast. 

A benign cyst was removed from that area at that time and it looked as if the cancer cells positioned themselves in that same spot. For two days I had to grapple both physically and emotionally the diagnosis on my condition.

I was on denial and I thought maybe the results were wrong. How can that be when I felt healthy. I did my own self-breast examination and I did feel the lump and not the scar tissue  anymore. 

Then I accepted the fact that the pathology report on my condition is true. How could it be wrong when two pathologists concurred with the findings?

In my case when I was called to a conference with the doctor who did the biopsy I sensed that something was wrong. Common sense dictates that when nothing is wrong, the result of the mammogram would be mailed. 

It was quite a difficult moment for the four of us in a table—myself and Ronnie, the doctor and the nurse navigator. When something like this happens, the doctor would not immediately tell the result and the usual preliminaries were made before the bad news is given. 

Then the doctor gave the result and it was Ron who broke down, not me since I am strong. After the emotional upheaval, the nurse navigator lost no time in discussing her role, the result of the biopsy, the disease, treatments, costs and the chances of recovery from breast cancer.

I forgot I was at Novant Health Breast Center Huntersville. The nurse navigator is in charge of explaining the details of the patient's condition and contacting the primary doctor, the breast surgeon and the oncologist. 

Everything was in motion.   I met the breast surgeon two days after and he examined me again and discussed the treatment and future plans. The breast surgeon Dr.Ilan Avin is very soft spoken when he explained the details. And I told myself I am in good hands.

He explained that in my case chemotherapy  would work best prior to surgery. The goal is to shrink the tumor. A week after I underwent the first surgery  for the port insertion. 
It is my understanding  that the port insertion is sort of a compartment where a needle is inserted during the chemotherapy. The device is surgically inserted under the skin in my upper chest. 

Now I have a bump under my skin and sometimes I forgot about it when I sleep. My arms and chest also felt heavy. Maybe it was a reminder that I have breast cancer. 

The doctor then proceeded to order for the breast bilateral MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), NM injection, CT chest, abdomen, pelvis and bone scans.  

In every procedure I underwent different experiences. The brain MRI tested my endurance during which my head was unable to move. I chose regular jazz music to help soothe my anxiety while the machine worked itself on me. 

The noise the machine made is comparable to hearing workers cut timber and the noise of an incoming train. My endurance was tested anew when I was made to lie face down for my breast MRT. 

I couldn't move too much and the jazz music didn't help much. So I shifted my attention to the sounds made by the machine and sure enough, I heard a nurse telling me to “hang on” for seven more minutes which was an eternity for me.

The CT for my abdomen, pelvis and chest were bearable as I was inside a machine with the company name Siemins (must be built by the previous company that my son-in-law Simon Boddison worked in). 

Anyway it was easy since I was only made to“ breathe and hold it” for a few seconds. The best part for the medical examination on me was the bone scan in which my hands and feet were strapped on and I dozed off from thinking too much. 

It’s been a tough 12 days for me emotionally and physically. It was also during this time that I changed my lifestyle and am now eating a lot of plant based food. 

I have enough supply of vegetables from Beth Kremer, Doreen Reynolds, Dalangin Wheeler and Joan Lighte. Ng Lydia Burdeos also made sure that I have enough supply of turmeric and ginger juice or liquid with the mother of Yulie Armstrong cooking all foods that I could eat for one month.

I thank also other friends who would be checking up on my condition every now and then. I appreciate it Lynn Lorenzo-Polk, Rogelio Lawsin and baby cousin Maria Jovie Pagsuguiron.  

All this time my family in the Philippines, New Zealand, the UK and US  started with the prayer brigade and extending moral support far and near.  At first I didn’t tell my daughter Honey, Janice and GG as I don’t want them to worry. 

But I summoned enough courage to tell them the truth so they would be forewarned about my condition. 

My daughter Janice Baesas was into research mode and had been sending me links on cancer research. I told her not to worry but she said “cancer is still cancer.”

What is funny is Ronnie and I had a reversal of roles- he is now taking care of me instead of me taking care of him and all the time showing me love and care and I am forever grateful to him for this. 

This journey has just started and I want to share to others who are similarly situated in order to think positive and keep the faith always. 

After all breast cancer is not a death sentence. Maybe breast cancer would save my life as I would be taking care of myself from now on. 

To all women, get up and be a proactive patient. Have that yearly mammogram and conduct a breast exam on yourself.  

And to paraphrase breast cancer author Judy Kneece, “there may be scars on my chest but may there not be scars on my heart.”

Farewell Aida

Me at right with Aida on the left

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina---What to do when your baby sister asked you to do something before she breathed her last? As the elder sister, the expectation would be to help make her wishes come true. 

My “manghud “ baby sister Aida Naelga-Pacana was laid to her final rest the other day and my thoughts raced back six months ago when we had our last talk in Cagayan de Oro City last March.

At the time she mentioned about a research project for high school students. You see, my late sister is a teacher’s teacher. She breathed teaching and imparting science and life lessons to students, nieces and nephews alike.

She espoused the idea of allowing first year high school students to develop their own projects that they can finish until the end of their senior high school years.

Aida had this idea despite her speech difficulty that she incurred in her first stroke. This proposal for students to conduct an “investigative study” on their own  should be given importance by the Department of Education (DepEd).

I asked her if she referred to only her science class and she replied that it is applicable to all high school students. Aida said this prolonged research activity by students can produce valuable inputs that can be used by the communities.

Their research on topics like sustainable hospitality and tourism can be used by agencies like the Department of Tourism (DOT) and so on. 

But the catch is that these research projects should be funded by DepEd. That way, the students can be junior researchers and be responsible for their study.  

I am unfamiliar with the DepEd's K12 program but Aida's idea may show that the DepEd had a lot of work to do to develop a “culture of research” among high school students. 

Aida also suggested logistic and financial support to all students. But reality check here, we know that only those at the top of their class are given support and this support remains wanting.  

What I can only remember are the projects I took during my time and that was a long time ago. I may be old but I can still recall our projects were not seriously done. It was only completed as compliance for our graduation. 

Maybe school projects improved through the years but much remains to be desired. So allowing students to conduct long term research projects may give them incentive to be serious in their studies and prepare them for the long, tough road of graduation ahead.   

I left the Philippines knowing my sister had a point and it was very relevant to improving the country's educational system.  I was reminded of her idea when she passed away and I couldn't find myself to argue with the wisdom of her ideas.

She still has other ideas but let me look for that piece of paper that she handed to me which contained her original ideas. Also let me give you my sister's background. 

Aida with the family

My sister Aida Naelga-Pacana was a chemistry teacher for nearly 30 years since she graduated with an education degree at Xavier University in 1989. 

She spent her first year of teaching at Liceo de Cagayan University and her subsequent hiring by the Misamis Oriental General Comprehensive High School (MOGHS) to teach chemistry resulted in 26 years spent honing her students's skills and active participation in the community and the parents-teachers association (PTA).

Aida was then promoted as principal in a far–flung  school  in  Claveria town, Misamis Oriental two years ago and it was then that she got sick. She was never the same again, being sickly until her death a week ago.

As I write this I could not hold back my tears because I knew she loves her two sons Keven Matthew and Yestin Mark dearly.   

She was always the emcee in school programs and her voice will reverberate in the corners of her classroom. I noticed this whenever I visit her at MOGHS and her voice was the first thing that her stroke took from her. Life is tragic at times. 

But she continued to climb to the hinterland area in Claveria town every Sunday and went home on Friday afternoon without a whimper. Aida just wanted to impart knowledge to students.

It could have been different if she was still the old, able and energetic Aida that she was known for when she became principal. I saw a Facebook post of that beautiful school in Claveria and it was just unfortunate. 

Maybe she  reported to her remote assignment because of the salary. And maybe she reported despite the health ordeal she had because she was married to her profession.  

A month ago I was surprised to see a greeting from Aida Naelga Pacana” Nang” Day on my Facebook messenger account. She simply said “musta (hello).” It was a surprise because she was not much of a Facebook user.   

So I talked to her and she told me that she is going to avail of her early retirement on her birthday on Sept. 21. I asked what made her change her mind even as I prayed that she would retire early.

She answered  “kasab-an ko ni (I'll be reprimanded).” I don't want to mention the DepEd official that she named but I asked her why she would be reprimanded. She didn't answer.

That was our last conversation and I grieve that I couldn't talk to her anymore. I can only surmise that this DepEd official may have scolded her due to her health but I don’t really know for sure. 

Goodbye Aida, the younger sister I cared for in her during her childhood. Again, Aida made use of her talent not only to share her knowledge and passion for chemistry and the sciences but to teach life lessons to everyone she cared about.

Aida with the kids

                                              ********

I extend a special “Thank You” to Mrs. Severa C. Go, the principal of Tagoloan National High  School for housing Aida for months prior to returning back to Claveria . 

Her support to  my sister is greatly appreciated.  My niece Dorothy Naelga Raagas who also teaches in the same school told me to include Ms. Agnes Zamaro for also helping Aida. 

For now, I take comfort in the thought that Aida is now resting peacefully in the bosom of our Lord.

Little Susie's story of baby brother Jacob

Little Susie with her baby brother Jacob

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

My little granddaughter Susie is now a big sister and she is excited about it based on her account to me which I will relay to you as accurately as possible.

First some background. Her baby brother Jacob Frederick Boddison was born on June 1 at 7 am and weighed six pounds at birth. 

Jacob has loads of black hair with long legs and was born when the sun was quite shy but there was no rain at Telford, United Kingdom. 

Susie with her mother GG and baby brother Jacob

Little Susie aka “Tating” is a sixth grader at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Primary School which to her mother is ideal as she was also schooled at St. Mary's Academy in Tagoloan town, Misamis Oriental province that is also run by Catholic nuns. 

Susie's favorite pastime is reading and watching Korean dramas on her tablet and her favorite book is Holes by Louis Sachar. 

She loves cats and when asked why, Susie said “they're cute.” She missed the cats she left behind at home in Tagoloan town in Misamis Oriental province in northern Mindanao, Philippines. 

I tell you that Susie considers her cats as family and their numbers are still multiplying at the hands of her Nanay Honey Mejorada.

When Susie was four years old and she stayed with me at Melecia Homes, Cagayan de Oro City she eats with the dogs and one time I saw her sharing food with our dog named Blackie.  

My granddaughter Susie

Anyway, Susie will be my guest blogger for the day and I will let her tell you her story of her baby brother in her words:

“Hi, I’m Susane Palmes, aged 11  years old. As some of you know I am the granddaughter of blogger Susan Palmes-Dennis. I am named after her and she asked me to blog about my newborn baby brother Jacob Frederick.

Although I am not a good writer but I would do my best to write. So before we move on,  I’m going to introduce myself first a little bit more.” 

“I came from a very warm country, Philippines and I am pure Filipino just like my grandma, whom I also call Lola Susan. However, I had to fly abroad to where my mother is and join her. 

So I moved to the United Kingdom on May 2016 and met my step-dad Simon and his two kids Louis and Fah. Last December my parents unexpectedly announced they were going to have a baby.

To be honest I didn’t feel too excited until the big day arrived. Oh my, after seeing my new baby brother I instantly fell in love with him. He was the cutest of all the babies. 

Now I want to hold Jacob in my hands, he is too cute and handsome. That is all for now but I will give you updates on my baby brother Jacob. 

My grandson Jacob

Or do do you want to hear about my adjustment to my new home and how I survived school? There is a lot to tell you. Bye love you all. This is Lil Susie signing off.” 

“PS: But please read our blogs at www.straightfromthe Carolinas.com or google+susandennis for more stories about me and my grandma.”