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Sunday, February 08, 2004
Luab: Love and support
By Evelyn R. Luab
Lightsunday
I wrote this article in Manila after seeing my favorite guardian angel, Dr. Augusto Manalo, for my regular yearly check-up.
Last year, Dr. Manalo received the highest award for being the best in his field. Frankly, I don’t know what thousands of us could have done if we hadn’t met Manalo but that is putting the cart before the horse.
For past cancer patients who have survived for a good number of years, we get to be a bit scared once we’ve gotten over the 10-year period of survival.
Because we have read a lot about our particular type of cancer - a little knowledge is definitely dangerous - every little thing that is out of the ordinary scares us. If our knee bones hurt, we don’t immediately think of osteoarthritis, we think of cancer of the bone. If there is a slight change in our bowel movement, we don’t think of diarrhea or constipation, we think of cancer of the colon.
When our voices sound hoarse because of too much talking or fatigue, we think of throat cancer. The biggest scare of all is when we get pains in our head. We don’t think of tension pain, we think about the possibility of cancer of the brain hitting us. Foolish? Yes but cancer survivors will readily admit that we are scaredy cats.
I left for Manila really because there were certain aches and pains which I couldn’t understand. Because I recently had a mass which (praise the Lord) was benign when removed. I was very scared. Yes me! All, sssh, several pounds of me. But this is where the love and support came in.
Tessa, my eldest daughter, and Mariles, my youngest daughter, took care of my flight schedule, appointments, and the like. Aimee, my middle daughter, and her husband Cesar took care of booking me at Charter House because their residence in Antipolo was too far out. Going through a lot of tests can be an experience full of anxiety but good friends prayed for me (thank you Tita and Jane) making my path so much lighter.
My articles will regularly come because of our blessed e-mails but I still have to recuperate (by the way, I’m fine). It’s only a matter of time before my apostolic work will resume.
Life certainly is worth living. When people care and so much love is poured, no pain is insurmountable. Imelda Marcos, I’m sure, without her children and friends would not have survived this far through the ordeal she has gone through (deserved or undeserved).
Former Pres. Cory Aquino must have leaned heavily on her friends, and especially on her children, when the tragedy of Ninoy’s death occurred.
Rio Diaz Cojuangco is alive and strong because of her loved ones.
But let’s not talk of big happenings. Instead, let us talk of husband and wife relationships, with one propping up the other. It takes a good husband or a good wife to make the marriage work. If one is able to celebrate a golden wedding anniversary, one is blessed.
Why do some marriages fail? I guess the lack of love and lack of support could be one of the major factors. For simple folks with simple dreams and not too much money, this love, this trust, this support is an unquestionable fact. One spouse would not even think of the other lacking in love. I guess it’s when comfort and money complicate life, then that is when mischief, doubt and complications come in.
Pain is a sure thing in this life. It becomes such a pity when lack of love cannot assuage the pain. Young husbands treasure your wives. Young wives treasure your husbands. Old age can be very lonely when somewhere along the way one loses hope. Life should be lived with love. It’s the best thing that can happen to anyone.
(February 8, 2004 issue)
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