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IAMRAFI: I Had Cancer;
Cancer Never Had Me
The Story of Nora Garcia Moreno, Cancer Survivor
By Marco Paulo Trajano Deligero | October 26, 2018
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Nora was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, but that did not stop her from living life to the fullest. After continuous treatment and therapy, she is now cancer-free and even formed a cancer support group called the Strong Defender, based at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City.
Calm Before the Storm
Nora Garcia Moreno, or simply Nora, grew up in the City of Digos, Davao del Sur. Her father, who died when she was 13 years old, was a local trader who sold almost anything to support the family, while her mother was a housewife, and she has 4 other siblings.
She moved to Cebu after finishing high school, worked for several establishments and finally settled down in 1997. She has been blessed with three children — her eldest just finished an education degree at the University of San Jose-Recoletos, while the two others are still in high school.
On Discovering the Life Threatening Disease
In 2005, Nora discovered a ‘lusay’ or node/lump in her right breast which she did not take seriously, never thinking it could be life threatening. But through the years, that lump bothered her as the symptoms intensified. She had trouble sleeping, and suffered from frequent and severe stabbing pain in her breast which made her body shiver and burn with fever.
It was only ten years after, in 2015, that Nora decided to go to the hospital and consult a physician who immediately referred her to the breast cancer clinic. On that very day, she had her biopsy.
“I cried and asked the doctor, ‘why do I need a biopsy?’”
The doctor said, “Because, what I felt on your right breast is malignant, 100%!”
Nora said that she felt like her world crushed, hearing the word ‘cancer’ made her feel that everything was hopeless, and that she was already going to die of the disease.
It took her two months to accept her fate and decided to undergo chemotherapy, saying that she needed to be brave in order to survive for her children who were still in school.
The Beginning of Her Battle With Breast Cancer, New Challenge
Nora underwent chemotherapy for three months, a mastectomy of the right breast, and then monthly radiation therapy. She had annual check-ups thereafter.
In 2017, she had a bone scan and discovered that there were suspicious cancer cells in her right ribs. The doctor advised her to take monthly medication for the bones, including injections of vitamins. Due to her perseverance and the support of people who mattered to her, she completed her treatment and overcame the new threat on her life.
“Today, I don’t think of my own challenges anymore; I am focused on how I could help my friends who have cancer, my ‘breastfriends,’ because I know that they need moral support like I needed before,”
Inspiring Women: Establishing the Strong Defender Support Group
Formed in 2016, Nora envisioned that their organization, the Strong Defender Support Group based in Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, would help the members in their own individual battles against cancer, which includes referral to different organizations that offer free treatment for cancer, and financial assistance for their fellow members who succumb to the disease.
Most importantly, Nora said that the main purpose of their organization is the camaraderie and moral support given to fellow members.
“I’ve been there, I know exactly what my fellow cancer patients and survivors feel, that they are dying, this is what they fear the most,”
“Strangely enough, even our other friends avoid us. I used to have lots of friends, but when I had cancer, I lost them. You actually get to know who your real friends are when you are in that situation,” Nora said.
Nora also added that her family has become closer since her battle with cancer compared to before; they appreciate life now as family.
Before Survival: Living Life With Breast Cancer
In her firsthand experience with this dreaded disease, Nora said that she lost several people along the way — people she considered friends before rejected her because of her breast cancer.
“There were many times when it seemed like they didn’t treat me as a person, that they were disgusted of me; perhaps it was because of how I looked back then; they were distant when they talked to me, they thought I was going to die already — well, they were wrong!” Nora said.
She also said that during her battle, her only goal was to fight and survive for her children, she promised herself that she would never give up because of her three children, and her family.
Better Tomorrow: Life Successes
When asked how she is doing now, Nora proudly said, “I am very happy now!”
Her eldest child just finished college, and all along she thought that she would never see her children succeed in life.
“I told my children, for as long as I’m breathing, I shall never stop supporting them until they finish their studies,” Nora said.
“I thought then that seeing my children finish their studies was enough for me, but no! I want to see more of their successes in life, which is why I needed to be strong and fight cancer so that I can continue to live and be there for them, by the grace of God,”
“Look at me now! Who could even say that I had breast cancer? Praise God, I am very strong now!” she added.
Nora also actively participates during different cancer awareness events of RAFI-EJACC, sharing her story of survival to inspire other people who are currently battling with the disease.
“There is nothing impossible with God! I just want to live — this is what I am always thinking about, it really depends on the person’s attitude when fighting the disease, it’s all about the right mindset,” she said.
On Her Greatest Life Lesson, Happiness
Nora said that her greatest lesson learned is that your financial status does not determine how one faces difficulties in life, including a life threatening diseases like cancer.
“I want them to understand that being poor is not an issue to heal, cancer or not, it depends on the person’s attitude, never lose hope,”
“What matters most are the following — your relationship with the Lord (so pray always), the support of your family and from your real friends,” she said.
Nora shared that happiness, for her, is simply knowing that her children are successful, and that she could share life’s blessings to other people around her.
“Yes ‘life is short’ so you have to value that short life. It is really up to you on how you live this short life to make it memorable. As what people say, “life is what you make it,” she said.
Surviving Breast Cancer: People That Matters for Nora
In her battle with cancer, Nora thanks the Lord, first and foremost, for helping her survive it, second, her family, and third, RAFI.
“I am grateful that I am able to refer my friends to RAFI, this much I can do! Laban lang hanggang may hininga!”
“Before, I thought that when you have cancer you will surely die, but now, having experienced it firsthand, I know that people can actually survive, cancer can be defeated,”
“Enjoy your life today because you cannot appreciate the present if you are always worried about the future.” #IAMRAFI
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