Faith, hope kept me alive
A(Final part)
FRIEND called me up asking if I am ready to reveal my illness. I told her I will be an instrument to prolong and save the lives of others suffering from the same sickness that I have.
I told her that I made a covenant with our Creator that if a miracle happens and I live, I will be the living testimony of His miracle and love. I will tell the whole world that through faith, there is hope.
I had to undergo a series of tests. On August 25, while I was “cancer is just a word.”
The prayers and my eagerness to live and my being an athlete made
- solve not to give up, yet there were times when fear would creep in.
I managed to pursue my plans for PSL by continuing with the remaining eight local competitions and two more international competitions from September to December in Japan and Dubai.
Fiscal Tet gave all kinds of novena prayers —to St. Peregrine, St. Padre Pio, Sacred Heart of Jesus—which I prayed unceasinglyeveryday. Herson, Asa, visited and said, “coach will not give up easily.”
On the third week of September, I decided to call my sister, Sonia Baltazar in the US. While waiting for her arrival, it crossed my mind that I should have called her sooner, she may not see me alive. But she did. After a few days, I was released from the hospital.
I took the B17 vitamins religiously. Surprisingly, after nine days, my cancer cells went down to 900.
Then alternative treatment was introduced by Centro Holistico under Dr. Fran Bernardino upon the recommendation of Joan Mojdeh. I was asked to take massive infusions of Vitamin C intravenously three times a week. The cancer cells dwindled to 234.
Prayers from relatives, friends, coaches and swimmers were offered for my recovery and healing. Fiscal Tet asked a church in Ifugao to pray for me. Masses were held in Tagaytay, South Luzon, Quiapo courtesy of Maribeth Repizo. Communities in Bicol, my friends, Emil, my brother-in-law Romy, my cousin Claire and coaches and my PSL family all prayed for my recovery. Nuns from the US prayed for me, Mr. and Mrs. Sermonia offered a novena during the Simbang Gabi, so did my sister, Sonia, Stephanie and Tina. Swimmers and their parents, Vyrna Cordero joined prayer brigades. You all prayed, and I am Alive! I thank my God Almighty.