Just Stand Up

While I was browsing my News Feed in Facebook, I saw this picture.

I remembered my mother who is a cancer victim.
Suddenly, I remembered everything.
The day when my Mom told me and my father that she has a cancer.
I know I cried and I hugged her tight.
I utter many things.
I told her that: "Gagaling ka naman diba? Sasamahan mo pa ako sa graduation ko diba?" (I was second year college back then.)
She was diagnosed of Mucoepedermoid Carcinoma on March 2009.

Before that, she had an operation on September 2008.
It was an operation to remove the bump under her right ear.
Months later, the bump started to show again. She had her second operation on February 10, 2009. How can I forget that day? It was my nephew's birthday and we are in the hospital.
She had an operation for 8 hours straight. My brother was outside the operation room when the operation is taking place. I also want to go there but my father won't let me.
I don't exactly recall what I felt that day. But one thing is for sure.

I AM SCARED.

We were informed by the doctor that she might lose her right ear for the worst possible scenario.
I thought back then: "Sure! Take it all you want just keep my Mom safe!" I don't care if she lose her ears, she's still my mother, in blood and soul.
Morning came, the operation was a success. Her ear is still intact.
I still have a class that day and I went to the hospital to see my mother.
I can't help the tears that fell when I saw her lying on the hospital bed.
I don't know if it's for happiness because she's fine or the fact that seeing her lying on that hospital bed kills me. I hate to see her there. It pains me just knowing the fact that she suffers because of that stupid operation.

Then, a month ago, the bump started to grow again.
Then was the time when she was diagnosed cancer.
The doctor said it's already in the fourth stage.
What the heck?!
She had two operations and yet they didn't recognized it at first.
The doctor said she should undergo to a chemotherapy, and a lot of tests.
Me and my family tried all the best we can for her medication.
I am also grateful that my relatives offers both moral support and financial help.

She even tried organic treatment because she's doubting the chemotherapy.
I can say that she's also scared. She's scared for US. She's scared of what kind of life we will all have if God decided to take her away.
Such ironic. She's thinking about us but she was the one who is sick. Maybe that's what you called a "Mother's Love".

At sixteen years old of age, I already know how that stupid cancer works.
It kills the victim together with her loved ones.
It took away the peace in the family.
In my case, it took the most important person in my life.
On the other hand, cancer also brought the family tighter.
It taught me to pray, never lose faith and leave everything to God.
I even talked to God that if ever she wants to take my Mother away, I hope she's asleep because I never want to see her suffering more while the doctors are trying to revive her. I want her to leave in peace.
And, that wish is granted. She was in a state of coma when she passed away.
And I swear to God, she opened her eyes before she drew her last three deep breaths. Maybe she wants to see us for the last time.
See, my Mom is so brave and I am so proud of her.

So, I am happy that the kid above survive cancer.
She is so young and she has a whole life ahead of her.

To all cancer patients or those person who knows someone suffering from this deadly disease,
JUST STAND UP.