Wednesday, October 03, 2007 Cancer survivor rallies for life
“WE make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give. As we celebrate Pink October–the Breast Cancer Awareness Month—I appeal to all to see their doctor today because early detection saves lives…early detection saves money,” said Mary Anne “Me’anne” Alcordo-Solomon, Icanserve-Cebu coordinator.
Solomon, Rotary Club of Cebu Fuente past president, is a breast cancer survivor.
Although she has two years more to survive the five-year critical period, Solomon wishes to help others by sharing the insights she acquired from her experience.
“By trying to live each day to its fullest, I hope to set a good example for others to follow,” she said.
Fear
Her bout with breast cancer began in 2004. As soon as she felt the lump, she had a mammogram, ultrasound and fine needle biopsy—which all confirmed she had cancer.
But amid the fear, anger, denial, grief and anxiety, Solomon said she chose to “prepare to live.”
While undergoing surgery and chemotherapy, she experienced anxiety and hair fall but she talked to friends with breast cancer who gave her honest accounts and relied on the support and encouragement of her family and friends. She received letters, emails and text messages from people here and abroad.
Solomon also kept in mind that “Laughter is the best medicine.” She kept her humor and it helped her get through her fight with cancer.
Humor
Although she found losing her hair depressing, she snapped out of it and had her hair shaven off.
“I’d wear a wig, a bandana or sometimes just look like Bamboo,” she said.
Solomon came up with “kikay” masks and wore “outrageous” chandelier earrings and made herself in charge of the situation.
She also trusted her gynecologist Dr. Peachy Coronel, surgeon Dr. Cris Dy and oncologist Dr. Dennis Tudtud.
“The human spirit can be the greatest weapon ever created against any life-threatening illness. It is greater than all the medicine, all the scientific advances ever developed and if you lose that spirit, then the battle is over. I believe your mindset is, likewise, critical to success,” she said.
She also believed that God doesn’t give a person anything he or she cannot handle.
“Everyday is an opportunity to let go and allow the grace of God to work in our lives,” said Solomon, adding that she considers a miracle being diagnosed with stage 2A cancer after she initially diagnosed as stage 3 patient.
Solomon also developed a “heightened” appreciation for things and relished the joys of being alive.
