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IAMRAFI: When God Intervenes
The Story of Felicisima ‘Cimay’ Dejito, Breast Cancer Survivor
By Marco Paulo Trajano Deligero | August 7, 2018
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Cimay was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1999. Today, eighteen years after, she is living life to the fullest after being declared cancer-free.
Being Diagnosed With Cancer
Felicisima or Cimay to her friends and family, was diagnosed with cancer in October of 1999. As vivid as she can remember, she narrates that she noticed an unusual red dot in her breast while she was taking a bath. She immediately went to the doctor and learned that she had stage 3 breast cancer and was given one year to live.
Being a single mother, the first person she thought of was her daughter Patty Rose, who was only 2 years old at that time.
“When I learned I had breast cancer, I cried and cried. I immediately thought of what would become of my daughter,” She said.
“Eventually I composed myself and decided that I will fight this disease,”
Undergoing Radiotherapy
In February of 2000, she started a series of cobalt radiotherapy at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu, and then underwent chemotherapy in August of the same year.
“The treatment was painful, I never thought I would experience such pain,”
“But during those times all I thought about was my daughter; that I was doing this because of my daughter,”
Learning About the Eduardo J. Aboitiz Cancer Center
It was per primary doctor, Dr. Rogelio Kangleon, who referred her to the Eduardo J. Aboitiz Cancer Center Unit of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI-EJACC).
“It was a blessing in disguise that I learned about RAFI-EJACC because they provided certain services that helped me in my treatment, such as some medications, and ultrasound for my liver,”
“Daku kayo ang tabang sa aku-a! (It was really a huge help for me!) Super!” Cimay said.
In Surpassing the Challenges
Adding to the cancer treatment expenses were the growing needs of her daughter. It was difficult to send her daughter to school, but instead of giving up, she doubled her efforts.
“Bahala na kung magka-utang-utang ko, basta mapa-graduate nako akong anak (Regardless if I need to borrow money every time, as long as I was able to send my daughter to school and have her finish college and graduate),”
Cimay said that in surpassing the challenges, she owes everything to the Lord. Prayers and her devotion to Sto. Niño were, and continue to be, her greatest weapon.
“You just need to be strong and trust God throughout the process; He gave me strength to surpass everything. Never underestimate the power of prayer,” Cimay said.
“One of my motivations is my daughter. I want to see her grow up, graduate from her studies and become successful,” Cimay added.
Her Life as a Single Mother
Cimay raised her daughter Patty Rose alone, and from this experience she learned a lot.
“I am very blessed that my daughter is very obedient, I think it’s all about how you raise your child,”
“And in this modern age, you should know how to jive with your child. In my case, my daughter is a millennial that’s why I have to be someone who she could count on,”
“I can be her friend when she needs one, without removing the respect for a mother,” Cimay said.
Life Lessons Learned
For a person who almost lost her chance to see another day, Cimay has learned so much from life, such as knowing how valuable each day is, most especially if we are living not just for our self but for the person we love.
“I learned to be strong. My doctor told me that I had a year to live. I decided to fight, because it was my only option, nothing else,”
“During those times I felt depressed and hopeless, I felt that I didn’t have anything, but the truth was that I had everything I needed — the love of God, and of my daughter, and that was more than enough,” Cimay said.
She was also advised by her doctor to complete her chemo because there is a good chance that the cancer cells will eventually die, and not survive.
“I could never forget what my doctor told me, ‘You should complete your chemo in order to have a good chance of living and see your daughter grow up’,”
Cancer Survivor for 18 Years
The Lord heard her prayers. In 2005, five years after being diagnosed with cancer, she was declared cancer-free.
“I am indeed so blessed that all my prayers were heard, and my efforts paid off, that I have won my battle against cancer!” Cimay said.
“I could never forget this day — February 9. This year marks the 18th anniversary of my first chemo. I am very happy and blessed,”
Life After Breast Cancer
After cancer, life has been very different for Cimay, which she even considers as a ‘better life.’
“Life is better now, because I have a stable job, and I am enjoying taking care of my daughter, watching her grow, and even witnessed her finish her studies!”
Cimay works at the University of Southern Philippines Foundation where she has been serving for 15 years now as a laboratory assistant.
Message to All Women
Cimay highlights the value of having yourself checked, and never ignoring unusual signs or changes in your body because these could be warnings that can still be treated.
“Have yourself checked, that’s very important. Poverty or lack of money is never an excuse to have yourself checked, especially if it’s your body… that is the only body you have,”
People That Matters
During her fight against cancer, Cimay knows that she was never alone.
“First of all I thank God for all that He has given me, for healing me, for giving me a loving daughter,”
“To RAFI-EJACC, thank you very much,”
“To Sir Ronald delos Reyes, Ms. Karen Wenceslao, and Gina Mariquit, daghang salamat!”
“To Dr. Rogelio Kangleon, and Dr. Rey Legaspi, daghang kaayong salamat (thank you very much!),”
“To my daughter Patty Rose, I love you very much,” #IAMRAFI
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