Hi Jaymee! When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer, I ran into your page. Since then I was following you. then 5 months ago, I was told that cancer came back and it’s now on my bones. I see your journey and honestly, I’m scared… super scared. I’m a regular Filipina employee in Dubai. I honestly don’t know what the future holds. I’m just really scared. My family wants me to cross Canada but until today, I don’t know to do that.

Anyway, I’m writing to say, you are also in my prayers. I pray all of us get complete healing to live life longer. I asked my cousin the other day, “How worse is my situation?” She said, “Life is short. Yours is shorter…” and I cried.,, badly cried. How are you coping? I just turned 33 and I still have so many dreams in life. People usually feel pity hearing my story. They always say I have no one… no boyfriend, no husband, no children. I feel so bad.

As of today, I got no financial support in Philippines so I decided to stay in Dubai. I don’t know where life will take me. I also don’t know my point of writing here. Maybe I just need a hand now? Feeling down. But still trying to smile. I am praying. I’m really praying. From Dubai, my prayers are with you.

Miss Z

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MY RESPONSE:

Hello Miss Z,

Thank you for writing to me and sharing what you truly feel. I can really relate to you because I’m in the same situation. Breast cancer hit me in San Diego without my family here. And I’m single with no kids too so I had to depend a lot on my friends, medical team and kind strangers for support. It’s not an easy journey but I’ve proven that humanity still exists because I’ve made it this far with all their help and that it’s possible to make a family out of people who choose to love you and you love back. This is the sacrifice we have to make to stay alive longer and get better support… to be far from our loved ones. It’s reality but we gotta do what we gotta do right?

I’d rather risk it this way than go home and have a shorter time being alive with my family due to lack of funds and less advanced medical care. Thank God for technology, we can still constantly keep in touch with them right? If the time comes that there are no more options to try in first world countries, then that’s the only time I will spend my remaining days back home. At least I know in my heart I tried and did everything I can to prolong my life which is also for them.

We all don’t know how long or short our lives will be. I believe it’s only the Creator up above who can tell. Especially with the pandemic happening, it’s all very random now and anyone can go just like that. So try not to dwell on the thought that your life is shorter because miracles can still happen and life can surprise us. Just take it day by day and make the best out of the time you have by being a good person, spending time with your loved ones and telling them that you love them, and doing things that give your life meaning, joy and fun. Enjoy each moment and feel those sad feelings for a while just so it gets out of the way. Life is, indeed, short but that applies to us all, with cancer or without. So might as well live fully!

I don’t pity you like the other people you come across. with, Miss Z. In fact, I admire and salute you for being so strong to go through all of this in a foreign country on your own. I am proud of you that you love being alive that much that you’re willing to do all of this just to heal yourself. So don’t feel bad and instead, love yourself for doing great job at taking care of yourself at this very challenging time. Just low where life takes you. Because until you are breathing, breakthroughs and silver linings can always show up. We just gotta stay faithful and hopeful.

Thank you for praying for me. I’m doing great so it must be working. You will be in my thoughts from hereon and I am sending you lots of smiles, strength, sunshine and healing energy from California. And remember that to stay alive is worth the sacrifice. So love and take very good care of yourself. For you are worth it. You got this, Miss Z! One step at a time.

Hopeful For You,

Jaymee 🙂