In a Cancerous World of Ours 3

Aunt Nene (Lourdes)

2nd to the eldest, Aunt Nene was conservative, shy, strict aunt. Calling her “dalagang Filipina” is just befitting the description, single to the end. She wasn’t the happy-jolly type, that was mom, who was liked by everyone. She was the type who sits in the corner and just behave.

Growing up

I wasn’t sure how to start. Hmmm. Grandpa was a farmer and a war veteran, and at that time granted with land was one of the benefits in being a war veteran. The land wasn’t small but wasn’t large, just enough for them and it was mostly submerged on water especially on heavy rains. One of the benefits was that they were able to harvest prawns for their meals, sustaining their daily meals. Tilapia was another since they were near fish ponds and eventually made themselves one. Grandma was a good cook. She was invited to every parties held by her rich friends as a cook, and the perks were marvelous according to mama. Well, it sent them to school and gave them work through connections. And grandma made it happened.

Career

Ah! She was government employed, for her lifetime. She was really meek and rather kept to herself so nothing much about her I could relate and write. She had friends and enjoyed a lot of time travelling. True still, she was also supporting us financially. And I honestly couldn’t write more.

Cancer

Years after Aunt Rebecca’s death, a lump grew on her chest. It was humiliating to her when a lump 1st appeared on top of her trachea. It was huge about 2.5cm rectangle in shape as I still could recall seeing the xray results. She was misdiagnosed with TB. Having TB, oh! TB, it was absurd. To ever think she had TB considering how careful she was about hygiene and cleanliness. It was a such a shame. So she went for a 2nd opinion and lo, there the diagnosis “BREAST CANCER”.

Up to date I still couldn’t figure out her reaction. I was there during the time, though wasn’t there when the diagnosis was given. Her reaction all throughout, I couldn’t see any trace or emotional bouts. Not even turmoil, just calmness and composure. I could only sense fear and doubt behold her heart. Fear because she survived Aunt Rebecca’s death. Perhaps she was terrified. Of course who wouldn’t be, she was went thru hell those days by just being there and now, her.

Treatment

Same happened to her but worst. She asked the same sibling for financial assistance for her chemo and was promised to be given the next day. It was Sunday. So we all woke up early went early went to claim the promise of financial assistance and to the mass right after. Ah! All the promises in vain and another promise was proposed, the healing through drinking cobra blood, as told of its amazing healing prowess. Anyway, we left and went to hear the mass. While attending the mass she almost lost consciousness because she was fasting.

Even after the promises in vain, she still tried and approached. She accommodated the proposal of drinking cobra blood as some sort of bridging the gap between her need and their approval. I guess it worked and she had her 1st series of chemo but the assistance was not enough. I proposed to process medical assistance from another government agency. I was discouraged by all of them but I was glad I pushed thru before we went home because I only got the confirmation that she received the check a month after and aunty send her thanks.

Her Resolve

After the check disbursement, I heard little about her and found out she died. I guess she stopped the chemo treatment and just lay in bed in surrender to her fate. Still little did was mentioned about her death. Perhaps she found her peace! And happily accepted to meet with creator then.

The Family

Shame! She doesn’t have any heirs and it’s a shame to learn and know how they fought about who gets to get the lump sum of her retirement. Even went thru the pains of manipulating the issuance of check to those who thought they deserve it more. Wow! Greed and corruption. Sad how people benefits from the dead. But it doesn’t matter now, she is well rested. I cannot let them know I write this, recalling the events for surely they all will get mad with how it is presented. I am not to judge their actions and decisions. It is their burden when they die because eventually we all die. It’s just a matter of time.

‘True, a very sad story to tell. Thank u and God bless.