By Muffet Dolar Villegas
May 11,2008
Mothers are God’s Love in Action
Why did God create mothers? I think God created mothers because she is God’s love in action.
A mother is always there when the whole world turns against you. Her shoulders are broad for you to lean on when you are sad. Her eyes see beyond what others see. You are the most beautiful creature in her sight. She listens to you with her heart. She dies to her wants and her rights so that you may have abundant, happy life, and yet she finds joy in doing it. A mother cries because God gave her tears to shed when life is hard. She doesn’t give up. She was born with conflicting emotions. Not to lose herself or to give you the best of life.
Every night and day she thought about you. She worries about your food, shelter, comfort and those whom you love. She wants to shield you from the storm, and chases the shadows away that threaten to dampen your day.
A mother knows that she’s not perfect, yet she struggles to be one. Her home is where her children find comfort and love. Her love is unconditional even if her children reject her. Her tomorrow depends on what she plants today.
Her touch can spell magic. It has healing powers. She disciplines, teaches. feeds her children but always with a loving touch. Her children emulate her, and she is the beacon in her home.
When she grows old, she is so blessed if she spends her last remaining days with her loved ones and not in the care of strangers. She’s not certain of tomorrow but she must go on loving.
No one was born into this world without a mother. If you are not a mother, you must have a mother. Mother’s day was proclaimed in the 1890 by Julia Ward Howe.
Mother’s day is celebrated in different days and months in different countries worldwide. The most popular mothers day celebration here in the Philippines is every second Sunday of May, which is today.
Your mother is God’s wonderful gift. She is only here today, and gone tomorrow.
Summer at Tambobo Bay
oil on canvas
Watercolors
$2.00 (handpainted notecards)
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
LOVE UNLIMITED
A Journey through Cancer
By Muffet Dolar Villegas
May 4,2008
Overflowing Love
Today, I want to count my blessings. I’m not sure if you will agree with me. Cancer is not only about pain or dying. Cancer also means finding life’s meaning and experiencing God’s blessings. We rejoice in small things like free air, sun, rain, flowers, beetles, ants, birds, friends, smiling faces, and most of all, kind people. The best things in life are actually free. We appreciate the days that we are out of hospitals that we can walk and dance and climb stairs, cook, do our laundry, or do other things that some people see as mundane and ordinary. It may not be a terminal illness that you go through or maybe worse than that, yet in the deepest of valleys, God seems to lend a special ear for prayers and He sends the best of His people to care for us.
Beside me, I watch an ant in my garden, climbing a wall carrying a grain of rice bigger than its size and falling many times and for the nth time it reaches the top. I can identify with this poor fellow. Sometimes this journey is tough, but life is worth fighting for.
I was discharged yesterday from Silliman University Medical Center after a medical procedure inside the operating room. My uterus has thickened and needed immediate attention. I have postponed this admission for many reasons. One is its barely three months ago that I have been through a surgical procedure and I thought my brain will be fried with anesthesia, not to mention what they say about chemo brain. Another is work commitment and of course the expenses and inconvenience for my husband. But in all these, once more, blessings came after blessings.
My bible study group, a small gathering of women I share God’s word every Tuesday with Nerisse, brought me my third birthday cake this April. SUMC people are kind and compassionate and true to their callings to serve. I thank my doctors and nurses for being patient and kind, even if I gave them a hard time finding a sturdy vein for IV insertion. Dr. Corazon Uy and Dr. Carmelita Vera Cruz didn’t charge anything for their services. Dr. Walden Ursus was kind to put up with my paranoia.
How do we measure God’s love and faithfulness? In times like these when we need Him the most is the best time His blessings flow. God’s hand is not short that He can’t reach us. His line is never busy. He works 24/7. His power is never out, and He is never early nor too late.
A Journey
By Muffet Dolar Villegas
May 11,2008
By Muffet Dolar Villegas
May 4,2008
Overflowing Love
Today, I want to count my blessings. I’m not sure if you will agree with me. Cancer is not only about pain or dying. Cancer also means finding life’s meaning and experiencing God’s blessings. We rejoice in small things like free air, sun, rain, flowers, beetles, ants, birds, friends, smiling faces, and most of all, kind people. The best things in life are actually free. We appreciate the days that we are out of hospitals that we can walk and dance and climb stairs, cook, do our laundry, or do other things that some people see as mundane and ordinary. It may not be a terminal illness that you go through or maybe worse than that, yet in the deepest of valleys, God seems to lend a special ear for prayers and He sends the best of His people to care for us.
Beside me, I watch an ant in my garden, climbing a wall carrying a grain of rice bigger than its size and falling many times and for the nth time it reaches the top. I can identify with this poor fellow. Sometimes this journey is tough, but life is worth fighting for.
I was discharged yesterday from Silliman University Medical Center after a medical procedure inside the operating room. My uterus has thickened and needed immediate attention. I have postponed this admission for many reasons. One is its barely three months ago that I have been through a surgical procedure and I thought my brain will be fried with anesthesia, not to mention what they say about chemo brain. Another is work commitment and of course the expenses and inconvenience for my husband. But in all these, once more, blessings came after blessings.
My bible study group, a small gathering of women I share God’s word every Tuesday with Nerisse, brought me my third birthday cake this April. SUMC people are kind and compassionate and true to their callings to serve. I thank my doctors and nurses for being patient and kind, even if I gave them a hard time finding a sturdy vein for IV insertion. Dr. Corazon Uy and Dr. Carmelita Vera Cruz didn’t charge anything for their services. Dr. Walden Ursus was kind to put up with my paranoia.
How do we measure God’s love and faithfulness? In times like these when we need Him the most is the best time His blessings flow. God’s hand is not short that He can’t reach us. His line is never busy. He works 24/7. His power is never out, and He is never early nor too late.
A Journey
By Muffet Dolar Villegas
May 11,2008
COMPLIMENT
A Journey Through Cancer
By Muffet Dolar Villegas
April 27,2008
A KISS THROUGH A VEIL
“A compliment is like a kiss through a veil”
-Victor Hugo
“I like your hair,” That was the usual compliment I received when I was wearing wigs during the bald period of cancer treatment. I got a hang of it and I tried wearing different kinds of wigs everyday until I got people confused with what kind of hair I really had. It was fun receiving compliments at the same time I forgot the negative feeling of losing my precious hair. It has been two years now that my hair came back.
How do you feel when you receive a compliment? Compliment is as powerful as cash. Paying people a compliment appears to trigger the same reward center in the brain as paying them cash, according to Japanese researchers last Wednesday.
“We found out that these seemingly different kinds of rewards-a good reputation versus money are biologically coded by the same neural structure, the striatum,” according to Dr. Norihiro Sadato of the Japanese National Institute for Psychological Sciences in Okazaki, Japan.
His team studied 19 healthy people using brain imaging technique known as Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging or FMRI. One set of people were made to play a gambling game which one of the cards will yield a payout. And the other set of people were told that strangers will evaluate them based on information and a video they have made.
Their reactions were monitored including those who thought the strangers paid them a compliment.
These two kinds of rewards triggered activity in the area of the brain which is reward related.
Compliments are powerful and amazing. We can change people’s feelings from bad to better and from better to best. We have the power to make them smile and see the world differently. Kind words can strengthen relationships.
We can’t help feeling happy as we give people honest and sincere compliments. Even if others feel uncomfortable in receiving compliments, giving them a sincere praise can make a difference.
If we are not used to accepting compliments, we can start by saying a simple “Thank you.”
Today, countless individuals are walking down the streets of life with a problem or a heavy heart. They cannot see the flowers or hear the birds. They have been battered by storms and ugly words. Their doors are locked by bitterness and hate. The world is full of strangers. But we have a chance to unlock it and spread colors like the rainbow.
Everyone deserves a compliment. If we have nothing to give like money or time, a compliment or a smile can change the world. Our God equipped us to be encouragers. Give that gift today.
By Muffet Dolar Villegas
April 27,2008
A KISS THROUGH A VEIL
“A compliment is like a kiss through a veil”
-Victor Hugo
“I like your hair,” That was the usual compliment I received when I was wearing wigs during the bald period of cancer treatment. I got a hang of it and I tried wearing different kinds of wigs everyday until I got people confused with what kind of hair I really had. It was fun receiving compliments at the same time I forgot the negative feeling of losing my precious hair. It has been two years now that my hair came back.
How do you feel when you receive a compliment? Compliment is as powerful as cash. Paying people a compliment appears to trigger the same reward center in the brain as paying them cash, according to Japanese researchers last Wednesday.
“We found out that these seemingly different kinds of rewards-a good reputation versus money are biologically coded by the same neural structure, the striatum,” according to Dr. Norihiro Sadato of the Japanese National Institute for Psychological Sciences in Okazaki, Japan.
His team studied 19 healthy people using brain imaging technique known as Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging or FMRI. One set of people were made to play a gambling game which one of the cards will yield a payout. And the other set of people were told that strangers will evaluate them based on information and a video they have made.
Their reactions were monitored including those who thought the strangers paid them a compliment.
These two kinds of rewards triggered activity in the area of the brain which is reward related.
Compliments are powerful and amazing. We can change people’s feelings from bad to better and from better to best. We have the power to make them smile and see the world differently. Kind words can strengthen relationships.
We can’t help feeling happy as we give people honest and sincere compliments. Even if others feel uncomfortable in receiving compliments, giving them a sincere praise can make a difference.
If we are not used to accepting compliments, we can start by saying a simple “Thank you.”
Today, countless individuals are walking down the streets of life with a problem or a heavy heart. They cannot see the flowers or hear the birds. They have been battered by storms and ugly words. Their doors are locked by bitterness and hate. The world is full of strangers. But we have a chance to unlock it and spread colors like the rainbow.
Everyone deserves a compliment. If we have nothing to give like money or time, a compliment or a smile can change the world. Our God equipped us to be encouragers. Give that gift today.
TRUST
A Journey through Cancer
By Muffet Dolar Villegas
April 20,2008
TRUST
I always thought that when we go to hospitals, we are safe and we are in the hands of trusted professionals. Even if I spend a lot of time in hospitals, I have not experienced anything that I should complain about.
But I was sad about the latest scandal involving a patient who was victimized by unscrupulous individuals and abuse of freedom of the press. He was caught on a video while an intricate medical procedure was being done to him inside a hospital and was shown in the internet for anyone to see without his consent, and eventually in any form of possible medium. It could have been less embarrassing if it was treated professionally by others.. To top it all, the media had a heyday showing it again and again on television.
We have this maddening habit of sensationalism or yellow journalism. We can go on and on talking and stressing issues until they become stressors. (who says that our freedom of the press under the present administration is limited?) Anyone can write or videotape anything about anybody under the sun, defamation, degradation, breaking people’s lives and reputations, reducing people as mere caricatures of themselves. We complain that we don’t have the freedom of the press and yet we can reduce our presidents and leaders into anything we like them to be and yet we are still here. Others feel that it is not right for other countries or nationalities to criticize our leaders or our fellowmen, but it is right if we are doing it.
Whom are we kidding? Whom are we laughing about? Are we anything different from these people who became helpless victims of their trusted individuals and institutions? Don’t they have emotions, families, sleepless nights, nightmares to deal with? They too are humans. They hurt the same way we hurt. Torture can come in many forms. Psychological and emotional battering is sometimes worse than the physical nightmare.
The question is, whom can we trust now? Some medical procedures done in the hospitals are intimidating to patients, yet they are necessary to detect early cancers. Standard colonoscopy which is commonly used here in the Philippines is a procedure wherein a camera is inserted through the rectum, allowing the doctor to see and remove any growths. Patients are usually sedated.
But thanks to researchers, a newly developed virtual colonoscopy, also known as CT colonography is less intimidating. Patients are asked to hold their breath for 10 to 20 seconds while computed tomography(CT) images of the colon are being taken.
Physicians hope that this kind of colorectal screening can encourage people of average risk to be screened at 50 or those who have greater risk to have cancer even earlier than 50 years old. “Colorectal cancer remains a leading cause of cancer- related death because patients are reluctant to be screened,” said Elizabeth MacFarland, M.D., associate professor of radiology at the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology at Washington University.
Unlike the standard colonoscopy, which shows only the inside of the colon, Virtual colonoscopy depicts the surrounding areas too.
Colon cancer can be prevented through proper screening among men and women.
Early detection may save your life.
To be fair, there are many medical practitioners and medical institutions in our country that are highly respectable and credible even if they are not perfect. Let us not lose our trust because of one bad incident. Lessons can be learned. But sometimes others choose the hard way.
By Muffet Dolar Villegas
April 20,2008
TRUST
I always thought that when we go to hospitals, we are safe and we are in the hands of trusted professionals. Even if I spend a lot of time in hospitals, I have not experienced anything that I should complain about.
But I was sad about the latest scandal involving a patient who was victimized by unscrupulous individuals and abuse of freedom of the press. He was caught on a video while an intricate medical procedure was being done to him inside a hospital and was shown in the internet for anyone to see without his consent, and eventually in any form of possible medium. It could have been less embarrassing if it was treated professionally by others.. To top it all, the media had a heyday showing it again and again on television.
We have this maddening habit of sensationalism or yellow journalism. We can go on and on talking and stressing issues until they become stressors. (who says that our freedom of the press under the present administration is limited?) Anyone can write or videotape anything about anybody under the sun, defamation, degradation, breaking people’s lives and reputations, reducing people as mere caricatures of themselves. We complain that we don’t have the freedom of the press and yet we can reduce our presidents and leaders into anything we like them to be and yet we are still here. Others feel that it is not right for other countries or nationalities to criticize our leaders or our fellowmen, but it is right if we are doing it.
Whom are we kidding? Whom are we laughing about? Are we anything different from these people who became helpless victims of their trusted individuals and institutions? Don’t they have emotions, families, sleepless nights, nightmares to deal with? They too are humans. They hurt the same way we hurt. Torture can come in many forms. Psychological and emotional battering is sometimes worse than the physical nightmare.
The question is, whom can we trust now? Some medical procedures done in the hospitals are intimidating to patients, yet they are necessary to detect early cancers. Standard colonoscopy which is commonly used here in the Philippines is a procedure wherein a camera is inserted through the rectum, allowing the doctor to see and remove any growths. Patients are usually sedated.
But thanks to researchers, a newly developed virtual colonoscopy, also known as CT colonography is less intimidating. Patients are asked to hold their breath for 10 to 20 seconds while computed tomography(CT) images of the colon are being taken.
Physicians hope that this kind of colorectal screening can encourage people of average risk to be screened at 50 or those who have greater risk to have cancer even earlier than 50 years old. “Colorectal cancer remains a leading cause of cancer- related death because patients are reluctant to be screened,” said Elizabeth MacFarland, M.D., associate professor of radiology at the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology at Washington University.
Unlike the standard colonoscopy, which shows only the inside of the colon, Virtual colonoscopy depicts the surrounding areas too.
Colon cancer can be prevented through proper screening among men and women.
Early detection may save your life.
To be fair, there are many medical practitioners and medical institutions in our country that are highly respectable and credible even if they are not perfect. Let us not lose our trust because of one bad incident. Lessons can be learned. But sometimes others choose the hard way.
CANCER SUPPORT GROUP
A Journey through Cancer
By Muffet Dolar Villegas
APRIL 12,2008
FLAME OF HOPE
Every long journey begins with a single step.
A timely move of creating a cancer support group for Negros Oriental Cancer warriors or victors has been launched yesterday, Saturday April 12, 2008 at the Provincial Health Administration Building at 8 am.
Cancer survivors and those who are still undergoing treatment for cancer from different towns, cities of the province joined the formal launching which opened with a fun run earlier and motorcade from the Provincial Health Office Compound going to Silliman Avenue and proceeded to the M.F. Perdices , Colon, Real and finally returned to the previous location.
The province of Negros Oriental, headed by Gov. Emilio Macias 11.M.D., the Department of Health , Region V11, Bantay Banay Network and Bike for Life Negros Oriental joined together in launching the Negros Oriental Cancer Support Group at the Provincial Health Office Compound.
Dr. Betty Calderon- Talaver, an Oncologist from Cebu whose roots came from Negros Oriental, talked about the topic, “There is More to Life after the Diagnosis”. She stressed the importance of the will to live for every cancer victim. She emphasized that support from their medical doctors, family and the community is equally important for survival.
Filomena Sy, another breast cancer survivor who is the Vice President for Cebu Cancer Fight, a support group for cancer in Cebu said that the government can help more by giving affordable medicines for cancer patients to help them in financial aspects. It was also mentioned that other countries like India, medicines are cheaper to help the poor fight diseases. There is a plea for the government to allocate funds for medicines, instead of giving more importance to other projects.
Various cancer survivors like Mitos Tugade Nepomoceno, Celeste Cata-al, Mary Angeles Pinero M.D. and Hazel Ricablanca gave their encouraging testimonies in their journey through the battle of cancer.
The newly formed group has elected a new set of officers. They are Chelsea Cacaldo M.D., President; Judith Vailoces, Vice Pres., Ma. Celeste Cata-al, Secretary; Maria Salud Kho, M.D.,Treasurer; Muffet Villegas, as PRO; and Wevina Fuentes M.D. as Auditor.
Chairmen on Committees are Ely Villapando,M.D.,Medical Director, Ma. Salud Kho M.D for Finance; with co- chair Mary Angeles Pinero M.D.; Membership and Follow up Jeanette Villarubia; Caregiving, Phoebe Tan; Nutrition, Rosevilla Russel; Prayer, Counseling and Healing, Rev. Andrew Villegas and Mary Angeles Pinero M.D.
Eday and Jeanette Villarubia made everything possible through their efforts to make every participant well taken cared of during the event.
The support group which consists of cancer survivors, their families and medical practitioners are looking forward to organize more activities that can help cancer patients. This important move can bring awareness, prevention, guidance and financial help to those concerned.
Everyday, I find meaning and purpose for cancer that was allowed in my life. All of us in that beautifully created spacious room situated at the third floor of the provincial health building was finding our own place as the Master Planner unfolds His plan before us.
By Muffet Dolar Villegas
APRIL 12,2008
FLAME OF HOPE
Every long journey begins with a single step.
A timely move of creating a cancer support group for Negros Oriental Cancer warriors or victors has been launched yesterday, Saturday April 12, 2008 at the Provincial Health Administration Building at 8 am.
Cancer survivors and those who are still undergoing treatment for cancer from different towns, cities of the province joined the formal launching which opened with a fun run earlier and motorcade from the Provincial Health Office Compound going to Silliman Avenue and proceeded to the M.F. Perdices , Colon, Real and finally returned to the previous location.
The province of Negros Oriental, headed by Gov. Emilio Macias 11.M.D., the Department of Health , Region V11, Bantay Banay Network and Bike for Life Negros Oriental joined together in launching the Negros Oriental Cancer Support Group at the Provincial Health Office Compound.
Dr. Betty Calderon- Talaver, an Oncologist from Cebu whose roots came from Negros Oriental, talked about the topic, “There is More to Life after the Diagnosis”. She stressed the importance of the will to live for every cancer victim. She emphasized that support from their medical doctors, family and the community is equally important for survival.
Filomena Sy, another breast cancer survivor who is the Vice President for Cebu Cancer Fight, a support group for cancer in Cebu said that the government can help more by giving affordable medicines for cancer patients to help them in financial aspects. It was also mentioned that other countries like India, medicines are cheaper to help the poor fight diseases. There is a plea for the government to allocate funds for medicines, instead of giving more importance to other projects.
Various cancer survivors like Mitos Tugade Nepomoceno, Celeste Cata-al, Mary Angeles Pinero M.D. and Hazel Ricablanca gave their encouraging testimonies in their journey through the battle of cancer.
The newly formed group has elected a new set of officers. They are Chelsea Cacaldo M.D., President; Judith Vailoces, Vice Pres., Ma. Celeste Cata-al, Secretary; Maria Salud Kho, M.D.,Treasurer; Muffet Villegas, as PRO; and Wevina Fuentes M.D. as Auditor.
Chairmen on Committees are Ely Villapando,M.D.,Medical Director, Ma. Salud Kho M.D for Finance; with co- chair Mary Angeles Pinero M.D.; Membership and Follow up Jeanette Villarubia; Caregiving, Phoebe Tan; Nutrition, Rosevilla Russel; Prayer, Counseling and Healing, Rev. Andrew Villegas and Mary Angeles Pinero M.D.
Eday and Jeanette Villarubia made everything possible through their efforts to make every participant well taken cared of during the event.
The support group which consists of cancer survivors, their families and medical practitioners are looking forward to organize more activities that can help cancer patients. This important move can bring awareness, prevention, guidance and financial help to those concerned.
Everyday, I find meaning and purpose for cancer that was allowed in my life. All of us in that beautifully created spacious room situated at the third floor of the provincial health building was finding our own place as the Master Planner unfolds His plan before us.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
WHY ARE ROSES RED?
A Journey through Cancer
By Muffet Dolar Villegas
April 4,2008
Why are the Roses Red?
God has made everything beautiful in its time.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NIV)
Have you ever been asked by a child, “Why are the roses red?” Or, “Why is the sky blue?”
Under the clear blue April skies are gardens and hills teeming with vibrant hues. Hibiscus in different colors are in full bloom all year round but appear brighter and more generous during summer.
The radiant yellow, red, pink and orange colors of heleconias which abound our city and nearby towns are treasured by tourists.
This morning, I painted the lilies in the pond in front of Greyhound 101 FM radio where I work. The pale yellows, light pink, magenta and purple petals bloom profusely as they greet the morning light.
We are surrounded by colors everyday, especially during summer. But do we know where does color come from?
Most objects get their colors from the light shining on them. They absorb some wavelengths of light and reflect others or in simple terms, the colors that we see are the mixture of what they like to absorb and what they discard.
Light is needed to see an object, except when the object has light itself. Without the light, the object is black. Why is the object black? Because it absorbs the light and it gives nothing back.
According to internet sources, “the real magic of color happens within us. We perceive different wavelengths of light as corresponding to different colors, and when you add together all the colors that an object reflect in the correct proportions, you get the color we see for that object.”
Therefore, without us, who are observers, those reflected wavelengths of light are no more than mere reflections. The source said that a great deal of our color perception is psychological. The wavelengths reflected or absorbed with our own interpretations are the colors we see in a tree with lush green leaves and other things.
I use colors in my palette often and I marvel at the One who is the author of light, flowers, trees, oceans and everything around us. God made all these beautiful things, but their beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.
Colors are not colors without us. Everyday you wake up, think of an array of colors you love to see and you will see them in their most vibrant hues.
By Muffet Dolar Villegas
April 4,2008
Why are the Roses Red?
God has made everything beautiful in its time.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NIV)
Have you ever been asked by a child, “Why are the roses red?” Or, “Why is the sky blue?”
Under the clear blue April skies are gardens and hills teeming with vibrant hues. Hibiscus in different colors are in full bloom all year round but appear brighter and more generous during summer.
The radiant yellow, red, pink and orange colors of heleconias which abound our city and nearby towns are treasured by tourists.
This morning, I painted the lilies in the pond in front of Greyhound 101 FM radio where I work. The pale yellows, light pink, magenta and purple petals bloom profusely as they greet the morning light.
We are surrounded by colors everyday, especially during summer. But do we know where does color come from?
Most objects get their colors from the light shining on them. They absorb some wavelengths of light and reflect others or in simple terms, the colors that we see are the mixture of what they like to absorb and what they discard.
Light is needed to see an object, except when the object has light itself. Without the light, the object is black. Why is the object black? Because it absorbs the light and it gives nothing back.
According to internet sources, “the real magic of color happens within us. We perceive different wavelengths of light as corresponding to different colors, and when you add together all the colors that an object reflect in the correct proportions, you get the color we see for that object.”
Therefore, without us, who are observers, those reflected wavelengths of light are no more than mere reflections. The source said that a great deal of our color perception is psychological. The wavelengths reflected or absorbed with our own interpretations are the colors we see in a tree with lush green leaves and other things.
I use colors in my palette often and I marvel at the One who is the author of light, flowers, trees, oceans and everything around us. God made all these beautiful things, but their beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.
Colors are not colors without us. Everyday you wake up, think of an array of colors you love to see and you will see them in their most vibrant hues.
ROLLERCOASTER RIDE!
A Journey through cancer
By Muffet Dolar Villegas
March 30,2008
God and Me in a Rollercoaster Ride
It has been three years of riding in a roller coaster world of cancer with God. If others are eager to know their lotto numbers result, cancer warriors are dying to know their number in the cancer marker range. I’m not good in numbers and always had difficulty in math and statistics, but now, numbers became very important to me. Our life seems to be measured by numbers.
I just received my latest breast cancer marker result and its within normal range of 5 inside the laboratory of Cebu cancer Institute. I was happy like a child, telling my husband that we had to celebrate and thank God for answered prayers.
But the next day, other results of scans were not good, like my uterus needs more follow up scans within few days time. There will be more challenges to face in the coming months. I like to be depressed and cry, which I did for a short time, but I know God is healing me. Nothing can change that.
The life of a cancer warrior is like riding in a roller coaster. Days and weeks can fly so fast that you can’t keep track of them, in other times they crawl, especially during various medical treatment and you want the days to be over. In darkest nights you feel like you are falling, just falling endlessly. You try to hang on, grasp anything or hold on to anything but your hands are merely grasping in the air. You laugh today and cry tomorrow. There were tears mingled with laughters.
In the hallways and clinics and treatment rooms, a mixture of emotions were written in many faces. Colorful bandanas wrapped my friends’ bald heads. Absent eyelashes seemed to make us shy, not really wanting to meet scrutinizing eyes. But deep within us, our hearts are crying out for hope and love, and faith that moves mountains.
There are many things I want to do, that if life is really that short, may I know which is most precious to please my God?
I always love to play over my radio program that song by Gorge Strait entitled, “I saw God today”. Actually, God’s fingerprints are all over us and around us. We see Him in flowers and all the beautiful things He made. You can touch Him through that little baby you are holding. Life is a gift. You want to know if God is real? His greatest miracle is you.
Life of a cancer warrior maybe tough, but the real excitement is living each day filled with His miracles and graces. You can see God everyday. He is everywhere. You can see Him in each flower that blooms, in every moonrise, sunrise and sunsets. He leaves His fingerprints in every thing.
By Muffet Dolar Villegas
March 30,2008
God and Me in a Rollercoaster Ride
It has been three years of riding in a roller coaster world of cancer with God. If others are eager to know their lotto numbers result, cancer warriors are dying to know their number in the cancer marker range. I’m not good in numbers and always had difficulty in math and statistics, but now, numbers became very important to me. Our life seems to be measured by numbers.
I just received my latest breast cancer marker result and its within normal range of 5 inside the laboratory of Cebu cancer Institute. I was happy like a child, telling my husband that we had to celebrate and thank God for answered prayers.
But the next day, other results of scans were not good, like my uterus needs more follow up scans within few days time. There will be more challenges to face in the coming months. I like to be depressed and cry, which I did for a short time, but I know God is healing me. Nothing can change that.
The life of a cancer warrior is like riding in a roller coaster. Days and weeks can fly so fast that you can’t keep track of them, in other times they crawl, especially during various medical treatment and you want the days to be over. In darkest nights you feel like you are falling, just falling endlessly. You try to hang on, grasp anything or hold on to anything but your hands are merely grasping in the air. You laugh today and cry tomorrow. There were tears mingled with laughters.
In the hallways and clinics and treatment rooms, a mixture of emotions were written in many faces. Colorful bandanas wrapped my friends’ bald heads. Absent eyelashes seemed to make us shy, not really wanting to meet scrutinizing eyes. But deep within us, our hearts are crying out for hope and love, and faith that moves mountains.
There are many things I want to do, that if life is really that short, may I know which is most precious to please my God?
I always love to play over my radio program that song by Gorge Strait entitled, “I saw God today”. Actually, God’s fingerprints are all over us and around us. We see Him in flowers and all the beautiful things He made. You can touch Him through that little baby you are holding. Life is a gift. You want to know if God is real? His greatest miracle is you.
Life of a cancer warrior maybe tough, but the real excitement is living each day filled with His miracles and graces. You can see God everyday. He is everywhere. You can see Him in each flower that blooms, in every moonrise, sunrise and sunsets. He leaves His fingerprints in every thing.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Tagged!!!
A Journey through Cancer
By Muffet Dolar Villegas
March 23,2008
They Found the Ringleader!
We don’t want cancer to come back. This is the unanimous cry of all those who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and all other cancers. I have known people who have survived breast cancer for more than twenty years. Yet most of these survivors are plagued by the thought, “What if one day the Big C comes back?” What if it comes back with a vengeance? The fear of it is normal, but fear can paralyze us and takes away all the joy of living the remaining days, months or years.
The breast cancer gene “ring leader” has been found! According to the latest study and research on breast cancer which was published last March 12 this year by WebMD Medical news.
“The Breast cancer gene in question, called SATB1, bosses other breast cancer genes and hushes anticancer genes.” Said Melinda Hill, in her article “Breast Cancer Gene Ringleader Found.”
The prime suspect gene SATB1 triggers other cancer genes to spread throughout the body. This can lead to new developments in breast cancer treatment, Hill explained.
This particular gene may not only be active in advanced breast cancer but also in early stage breast tumors before it spreads from the breast to other lymph nodes. However, these findings came from laboratory experiment on test tubes and mice, and further studies should be done more on people.
Meanwhile, in another source, Reuters Health reports also said that SATB1 is crucial to the development of the immune system but can also reprograms the expression of more than 1000 genes to fuel cancer growth.
According to scientists, breast cancer cells need this kind of gene to become metastatic, a stage when the cancer cells invades other pars of the body.
So what is SATB1? This gene, is actually a protein which is a genome organizer, a component needed to develop our warrior T-cells, to fight infection.
This peculiar gene is expressed in breast cancer cells, and when it does, it coordinates the invasion process.
The researchers of this study which appeared last March 13,2008 edition of Nature
Included Hye –Jung han, PhD, and Terumi Kohwi-Shigematsu PhP, of the the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory at the University of California Berkeley.
While more people are diagnosed with all kinds of cancer, scientists, researchers are also doing their jobs to lengthen or save more lives.
By Muffet Dolar Villegas
March 23,2008
They Found the Ringleader!
We don’t want cancer to come back. This is the unanimous cry of all those who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and all other cancers. I have known people who have survived breast cancer for more than twenty years. Yet most of these survivors are plagued by the thought, “What if one day the Big C comes back?” What if it comes back with a vengeance? The fear of it is normal, but fear can paralyze us and takes away all the joy of living the remaining days, months or years.
The breast cancer gene “ring leader” has been found! According to the latest study and research on breast cancer which was published last March 12 this year by WebMD Medical news.
“The Breast cancer gene in question, called SATB1, bosses other breast cancer genes and hushes anticancer genes.” Said Melinda Hill, in her article “Breast Cancer Gene Ringleader Found.”
The prime suspect gene SATB1 triggers other cancer genes to spread throughout the body. This can lead to new developments in breast cancer treatment, Hill explained.
This particular gene may not only be active in advanced breast cancer but also in early stage breast tumors before it spreads from the breast to other lymph nodes. However, these findings came from laboratory experiment on test tubes and mice, and further studies should be done more on people.
Meanwhile, in another source, Reuters Health reports also said that SATB1 is crucial to the development of the immune system but can also reprograms the expression of more than 1000 genes to fuel cancer growth.
According to scientists, breast cancer cells need this kind of gene to become metastatic, a stage when the cancer cells invades other pars of the body.
So what is SATB1? This gene, is actually a protein which is a genome organizer, a component needed to develop our warrior T-cells, to fight infection.
This peculiar gene is expressed in breast cancer cells, and when it does, it coordinates the invasion process.
The researchers of this study which appeared last March 13,2008 edition of Nature
Included Hye –Jung han, PhD, and Terumi Kohwi-Shigematsu PhP, of the the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory at the University of California Berkeley.
While more people are diagnosed with all kinds of cancer, scientists, researchers are also doing their jobs to lengthen or save more lives.
Store It..
A journey with Cancer
by Muffet Dolar Villegas
March 16,2008
Memory Bank
I sat there, transfixed, as the performers souls joined with mine, inside the spacious, cool, state of the art Luce Auditorium. If music is the language of the soul, at that moment, our souls, were listening intently to the most wonderful communication in the universe that God made. Music.
Once more, the three generation of music and bonding, Japi, Annabelle and Suyen or Ana Joaquina in long version, played their favorite pieces in piano as they joined the semestral recital organized by the Silliman University College of Performing Arts at the Luce Auditorium last March 13, Thursday at 5 p.m. The eleven year old Ana Joaquina Adriano, who started learning the piano at the age of five, played The Entertainer by Joplin, the mother. Annabelle Lee Adriano played Etune in E. Op.10,no.3 by Chopin and the grandmother Joaquina Villegas Lee performed Claire de Lune by Debussy. My heart skipped a bit. These three people are dear to my heart, because I see that age is not a problem with spending time with each other even if it takes time to go to their lessons with Tim Montes, music professor in Silliman University.
This is life. Its not only the daily grind of mundane things that make life but the joy of watching your friends, family, and relatives in their cherished moments. This is worth a million treasures stored away inside a memory bank which lives inside us forever.
Pretty little girls in their blue outfit opened the event with dances. One little girl caught the crowd’s hearts as she moved away from the group and did her own unique interpretation of the dance, following her heart filled with glee, completely enjoying the moment. It was the most beautiful and natural dance I ever saw.
The ballet performance was done by Gabrielle Limbaga, Aisha Yashin, Hikaru Nagasawa, Garnet Cello, Anya Katarina Pantejo, Anna Natalie Kolnes, Sarah Marie Kolnes Francesca Marie Flores and Sabrina Barot.
In music, Kahlil Andoni Denura, performed My Pony by Olson, Keira Nolyn Nocete, with Firefly and chim chim Cher-ee fr “Mary Poppins” by Faber and Sherman Faber, Millie Anne Estolloso, violin and piano with morning tune no.5 and Party song by J Sailen Bowman, Nino Adrian Losaria, sang the Little lamb, by J. Styne, Liana Thea violin with Perpetual Motion by S. Suzuki, Stephen Gerard Denura, piano with Danny Dolphin and Camptown Races by Olson arr by Faber, Marc Villavicencio, piano with Old Macdonald and Yankee Doodle, Yeashua Quizo, violin, Allegro by S. Suzuki, Reggae Kayl Ege piano The spinning Song by M. Aaron, Xian Aiby Generoso voice, Castle On a Cloud,by C.M. Schonberg, Isobel Flores, violin,Morning Tune No. 5 by J Sailen, Glenna Christina Duch, violin and piano with Sonatina in C Op 8 by I Pleyel and Rondino by A.Diabeli.
Other performers were Aurora Ab Latif, violin, with Morning Tune No.6 by J Sailen , Lissa patricia Duch, violin piano and voice with Morning tune no.5 by J Sailen, Tarantella by M Aaron, and Climb every mountain by Rodgers Hammerstein. While Arriane Adrian performed Allegro by S. Suzuki in Violin and sang Reflection by Matthew Wilder, Joyce Elizabeth Anderson, violin with Grasshopper tune, Amyrrah Estolloso, violin and piano with Chorus from Judas Maccabeus and Spring Improntu by G.F. Handel and Aaron respectively.
Other performers were Amidalla Gabrielle Quisumbing, Marriane Villavicencio,Sarah Jane Kolnes, Joushua Sisona, Anna Natalie Kolnes, Jesse Llyd Villanueva, Brian Majarocon, Alanise Rhei Nacar, Sabrina Barot, John francis Reyes, Samuel Cantos, Eric jennies Duhaylungsod, Jonald Alabastro, Lianette Flores, Marvin Urbano Tia, Benjamin Limbaga, Ma. Cassandra Ortaliz, Andrew Marc Alvarez, Jae-So and Jae –Hwan Jang, Hwang In Soon, Gae won, Simoun Glen Alvarez, Bryan Vincent King, Mykaela Luz Maxino, Megan Lozada, Hee won Lee, Jason Sisona, Alexis Faye Pal, Carmel June Saga, Seo Yeong (Rachelle) Jo, francheska Louise Salcedo, Jon riam Quizo, Katrina Mira, Gian Paolo Sisona, Onna Rhea Quizo, Lheolyne Mandingal, Seong Ha-lee, Reahna Ruamar, Soe Jeong, and Carolyn Goltiano. I looked forward for this recital to bring my senses the much needed rest and pure relaxation.
by Muffet Dolar Villegas
March 16,2008
Memory Bank
I sat there, transfixed, as the performers souls joined with mine, inside the spacious, cool, state of the art Luce Auditorium. If music is the language of the soul, at that moment, our souls, were listening intently to the most wonderful communication in the universe that God made. Music.
Once more, the three generation of music and bonding, Japi, Annabelle and Suyen or Ana Joaquina in long version, played their favorite pieces in piano as they joined the semestral recital organized by the Silliman University College of Performing Arts at the Luce Auditorium last March 13, Thursday at 5 p.m. The eleven year old Ana Joaquina Adriano, who started learning the piano at the age of five, played The Entertainer by Joplin, the mother. Annabelle Lee Adriano played Etune in E. Op.10,no.3 by Chopin and the grandmother Joaquina Villegas Lee performed Claire de Lune by Debussy. My heart skipped a bit. These three people are dear to my heart, because I see that age is not a problem with spending time with each other even if it takes time to go to their lessons with Tim Montes, music professor in Silliman University.
This is life. Its not only the daily grind of mundane things that make life but the joy of watching your friends, family, and relatives in their cherished moments. This is worth a million treasures stored away inside a memory bank which lives inside us forever.
Pretty little girls in their blue outfit opened the event with dances. One little girl caught the crowd’s hearts as she moved away from the group and did her own unique interpretation of the dance, following her heart filled with glee, completely enjoying the moment. It was the most beautiful and natural dance I ever saw.
The ballet performance was done by Gabrielle Limbaga, Aisha Yashin, Hikaru Nagasawa, Garnet Cello, Anya Katarina Pantejo, Anna Natalie Kolnes, Sarah Marie Kolnes Francesca Marie Flores and Sabrina Barot.
In music, Kahlil Andoni Denura, performed My Pony by Olson, Keira Nolyn Nocete, with Firefly and chim chim Cher-ee fr “Mary Poppins” by Faber and Sherman Faber, Millie Anne Estolloso, violin and piano with morning tune no.5 and Party song by J Sailen Bowman, Nino Adrian Losaria, sang the Little lamb, by J. Styne, Liana Thea violin with Perpetual Motion by S. Suzuki, Stephen Gerard Denura, piano with Danny Dolphin and Camptown Races by Olson arr by Faber, Marc Villavicencio, piano with Old Macdonald and Yankee Doodle, Yeashua Quizo, violin, Allegro by S. Suzuki, Reggae Kayl Ege piano The spinning Song by M. Aaron, Xian Aiby Generoso voice, Castle On a Cloud,by C.M. Schonberg, Isobel Flores, violin,Morning Tune No. 5 by J Sailen, Glenna Christina Duch, violin and piano with Sonatina in C Op 8 by I Pleyel and Rondino by A.Diabeli.
Other performers were Aurora Ab Latif, violin, with Morning Tune No.6 by J Sailen , Lissa patricia Duch, violin piano and voice with Morning tune no.5 by J Sailen, Tarantella by M Aaron, and Climb every mountain by Rodgers Hammerstein. While Arriane Adrian performed Allegro by S. Suzuki in Violin and sang Reflection by Matthew Wilder, Joyce Elizabeth Anderson, violin with Grasshopper tune, Amyrrah Estolloso, violin and piano with Chorus from Judas Maccabeus and Spring Improntu by G.F. Handel and Aaron respectively.
Other performers were Amidalla Gabrielle Quisumbing, Marriane Villavicencio,Sarah Jane Kolnes, Joushua Sisona, Anna Natalie Kolnes, Jesse Llyd Villanueva, Brian Majarocon, Alanise Rhei Nacar, Sabrina Barot, John francis Reyes, Samuel Cantos, Eric jennies Duhaylungsod, Jonald Alabastro, Lianette Flores, Marvin Urbano Tia, Benjamin Limbaga, Ma. Cassandra Ortaliz, Andrew Marc Alvarez, Jae-So and Jae –Hwan Jang, Hwang In Soon, Gae won, Simoun Glen Alvarez, Bryan Vincent King, Mykaela Luz Maxino, Megan Lozada, Hee won Lee, Jason Sisona, Alexis Faye Pal, Carmel June Saga, Seo Yeong (Rachelle) Jo, francheska Louise Salcedo, Jon riam Quizo, Katrina Mira, Gian Paolo Sisona, Onna Rhea Quizo, Lheolyne Mandingal, Seong Ha-lee, Reahna Ruamar, Soe Jeong, and Carolyn Goltiano. I looked forward for this recital to bring my senses the much needed rest and pure relaxation.
Gracegrowers
A Journey through Cancer
By Muffet Dolar Villegas
“Gracegrowers”
Two prisoners looked out of the window. One saw the bars and the other saw the stars.
I love pearls. They come in different array of colors like white, pink, blue or the rare ones which are the black pearls. They are magical and feminine, and the only gems which come from a living organism which is an oyster.
But these lovely gems started as “irritants”. These irritants are mostly sand that gets inside the oyster shells. To protect itself, the oyster tries to cover these foreign bodies with layers of pearly substance known as “nacre” which gives the pearl a unique appearance and iridescent glow. As time goes by, these so called irritants become pearls.
In life , we meet people or trials that may irritate us, yet somehow they produce life enduring values like patience, love, long-suffering humility or faith.
I borrowed the term “gracegrowers” from someone who also borrowed this term from another. Gracegrowers refer to people or circumstances that are hard to understand or love yet they mold us positively or negatively depending on what we are made of.
I’m sure you have met this person sometime, somehow, or you may have encountered trials or problems beyond compare. Whether we like it or not they are part of our daily existence. They may be fleeting occurences or someone you have to live with for the rest of your lives.
Have you breathed these words,” This person brings out the worst in me.” or “ I wish this ordeal ends.”
Sometimes, these irritants are vital in our growth. God seems to allow them in or lives for some purpose. We only learn to be more patient with people who stretch our patience. We learn to love unconditionally to those who are hard to love. Trials produce fortitude, courage, endurance and faith. Gracegrowers may produce pearls someday.
They say that success is not the real test of character, but give a man failure and you will know who he is.
By Muffet Dolar Villegas
“Gracegrowers”
Two prisoners looked out of the window. One saw the bars and the other saw the stars.
I love pearls. They come in different array of colors like white, pink, blue or the rare ones which are the black pearls. They are magical and feminine, and the only gems which come from a living organism which is an oyster.
But these lovely gems started as “irritants”. These irritants are mostly sand that gets inside the oyster shells. To protect itself, the oyster tries to cover these foreign bodies with layers of pearly substance known as “nacre” which gives the pearl a unique appearance and iridescent glow. As time goes by, these so called irritants become pearls.
In life , we meet people or trials that may irritate us, yet somehow they produce life enduring values like patience, love, long-suffering humility or faith.
I borrowed the term “gracegrowers” from someone who also borrowed this term from another. Gracegrowers refer to people or circumstances that are hard to understand or love yet they mold us positively or negatively depending on what we are made of.
I’m sure you have met this person sometime, somehow, or you may have encountered trials or problems beyond compare. Whether we like it or not they are part of our daily existence. They may be fleeting occurences or someone you have to live with for the rest of your lives.
Have you breathed these words,” This person brings out the worst in me.” or “ I wish this ordeal ends.”
Sometimes, these irritants are vital in our growth. God seems to allow them in or lives for some purpose. We only learn to be more patient with people who stretch our patience. We learn to love unconditionally to those who are hard to love. Trials produce fortitude, courage, endurance and faith. Gracegrowers may produce pearls someday.
They say that success is not the real test of character, but give a man failure and you will know who he is.
Monday, May 12, 2008
SAY IT PLEASE
Feb.24,2008
A Journey through Cancer
By Muffet Dolar Villegas
Words
If we live for 70 years we have actually spent quite a lot of time talking. They say that women are capable of more or less 25 thousand words a day, and men are about half of that. Maybe that’s the reason why men fall asleep while women are still half way of the conversation.
The most eloquent words I have heard being said about someone are when I attend a funeral. But it is sad that the recipient of these heartwarming words is now lying deaf and cold.
Cancer taught me that life is too short to hold back appreciation to people who deserve it.
All of us need words that nourish our hearts and actions that speak our good intentions. Words are free. We don’t have to worry about our bank accounts if we say kind or encouraging words to others. It doesn’t cost anything to make a person feel important. We will not miss an inch in height if we tell a person that she or he did a good job. Our salaries will not be deducted if we praise our coworkers. Our house helpers need sincere praise as much as we are. We won’t appear less attractive if we boost others’ self confidence. We don’t become less a parent if we tell our children that they are great.
My mother, like most mothers was always full of praise for her children. But inspite of that, I grew up believing that I was an ugly duckling. Other children used to tease me and call me “Tikling” a Philippine heron which is tall, thin and has very long legs. I was tall for an average Filipino and too thin. Half of my life, I always heard these words, “You should eat well, you’re too thin.”
I would stand last in line all the time in school, and sit at the last row not wanting to be seen. I knew how it was to be different and unattractive, so at a young age I created my own world of painting beautiful, perfect women which turned into gory images of headless mermaids during my adolescent years. Everyday, I would write stories and illustrate comic strips where my heroes and villains were my classmates and teachers.
The world can be cruel and unkind, but we can make a difference in our own little ways. Our solitude can drive us to enlarge our imagination. Other people’s indifference can make us understand our own kind.
Did God make a mistake? Certainly not. We are perfect for His purpose. Even if we feel like an outcast, unimportant, we are very special in His sight. We can yield or fight or blame our parents for not having good genes, but our self worth is not measured by our looks, nor our past and insecurities, but by how we are in God’s sight. He sees a masterpiece in the making not the unfinished work of art.
Words are weapons that make or break us. Be grateful if one learns to appreciate your gifts, but don’t think that you are less of a person if no one does. Continue to affirm the positive qualities of others who need it because as you encourage others, you too are encouraged.
Our nation will be a better place to live if people learn to use words to affirm good positive traits of each other on a daily basis. It creates a positive atmosphere, where progressive ideas grow.
A Journey through Cancer
By Muffet Dolar Villegas
Words
If we live for 70 years we have actually spent quite a lot of time talking. They say that women are capable of more or less 25 thousand words a day, and men are about half of that. Maybe that’s the reason why men fall asleep while women are still half way of the conversation.
The most eloquent words I have heard being said about someone are when I attend a funeral. But it is sad that the recipient of these heartwarming words is now lying deaf and cold.
Cancer taught me that life is too short to hold back appreciation to people who deserve it.
All of us need words that nourish our hearts and actions that speak our good intentions. Words are free. We don’t have to worry about our bank accounts if we say kind or encouraging words to others. It doesn’t cost anything to make a person feel important. We will not miss an inch in height if we tell a person that she or he did a good job. Our salaries will not be deducted if we praise our coworkers. Our house helpers need sincere praise as much as we are. We won’t appear less attractive if we boost others’ self confidence. We don’t become less a parent if we tell our children that they are great.
My mother, like most mothers was always full of praise for her children. But inspite of that, I grew up believing that I was an ugly duckling. Other children used to tease me and call me “Tikling” a Philippine heron which is tall, thin and has very long legs. I was tall for an average Filipino and too thin. Half of my life, I always heard these words, “You should eat well, you’re too thin.”
I would stand last in line all the time in school, and sit at the last row not wanting to be seen. I knew how it was to be different and unattractive, so at a young age I created my own world of painting beautiful, perfect women which turned into gory images of headless mermaids during my adolescent years. Everyday, I would write stories and illustrate comic strips where my heroes and villains were my classmates and teachers.
The world can be cruel and unkind, but we can make a difference in our own little ways. Our solitude can drive us to enlarge our imagination. Other people’s indifference can make us understand our own kind.
Did God make a mistake? Certainly not. We are perfect for His purpose. Even if we feel like an outcast, unimportant, we are very special in His sight. We can yield or fight or blame our parents for not having good genes, but our self worth is not measured by our looks, nor our past and insecurities, but by how we are in God’s sight. He sees a masterpiece in the making not the unfinished work of art.
Words are weapons that make or break us. Be grateful if one learns to appreciate your gifts, but don’t think that you are less of a person if no one does. Continue to affirm the positive qualities of others who need it because as you encourage others, you too are encouraged.
Our nation will be a better place to live if people learn to use words to affirm good positive traits of each other on a daily basis. It creates a positive atmosphere, where progressive ideas grow.
PROBLEM OF THE HEART
Feb.17,2008
A Journey Through Cancer
By Muffet Dolar Villegas
The heart of the problem
is the problem of the heart.
I have seen a lot of hearts lately this February. From red throw pillows to boxes of chocolate, greeting cards and red roses with heart shaped objects around them to express love and affection. Hearts are everywhere. It reminds me to search my own heart. There are things that I didn’t like to see. A big SELF is written in big bold letters.
Do you sometimes search your heart? If you are alone, sipping a cup of tea or coffee, a newspaper in your hand, do you take time to see what is going on inside your heart, even as you scan these pages?
The heart is only about the size of a fist. It weighs between 250 to 350 grams or less than a pound. But its size and weight belie its amazing strength and endurance. It beats ceaselessly at an average rate of 72 to 80 per minute if you are a female and 64 to 72 beats per minute if you are a male. A fetus heart beats even faster, 140 to 160 per minute. Its shape is like a popular valentines image.
The heart with its team mates of miles of blood vessels throughout the body, works tirelessly to take in nutrients and oxygen and excrete wastes night and day.
Its job is so crucial that God enclosed the heart in a double walled sac called pericardium. This is made of tough dense connective tissue layer which protects the heart, anchors it to surrounding vital structures and it also prevents overfilling of the heart with blood.
If the heart skips a beat, we realize how much we depend on this organ every second of our existence.
The heart is the center of debates and arguments for many centuries. The ancient Greeks believe that it is the throne of intelligence. Most of us think that it is the source of emotions. Yet the heart is more complicated than these.
As much as the heart is the center of life which pulsates within us, it also plays a vital role in what kind of life we live. Events and circumstances which are happening in the world today are much influenced by the condition of the heart. We can fill it with goodness which can protect the weak or with evil intent to harm, deceive or sow chaos.
Most of the world’s problems today come from the condition of the heart. They say that a nation’s destiny is determined by its leaders. But can the leader change people’s hearts? Aren’t we responsible for our own state of hearts?
David wrote in Psalms 139:23-24Search me O God and know my heart;test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
If there is an instrument that can measure the colors of the heart, what colors do you think would depict jealousy, discontentment, greed, selfishness, pride, kindness, humility, mercy, understanding or love?
God made our hearts so wonderfully. Only He can change what He has made. Again it’s a choice. He is too gentle and polite to force entry. But He is always willing if you like.
A Journey Through Cancer
By Muffet Dolar Villegas
The heart of the problem
is the problem of the heart.
I have seen a lot of hearts lately this February. From red throw pillows to boxes of chocolate, greeting cards and red roses with heart shaped objects around them to express love and affection. Hearts are everywhere. It reminds me to search my own heart. There are things that I didn’t like to see. A big SELF is written in big bold letters.
Do you sometimes search your heart? If you are alone, sipping a cup of tea or coffee, a newspaper in your hand, do you take time to see what is going on inside your heart, even as you scan these pages?
The heart is only about the size of a fist. It weighs between 250 to 350 grams or less than a pound. But its size and weight belie its amazing strength and endurance. It beats ceaselessly at an average rate of 72 to 80 per minute if you are a female and 64 to 72 beats per minute if you are a male. A fetus heart beats even faster, 140 to 160 per minute. Its shape is like a popular valentines image.
The heart with its team mates of miles of blood vessels throughout the body, works tirelessly to take in nutrients and oxygen and excrete wastes night and day.
Its job is so crucial that God enclosed the heart in a double walled sac called pericardium. This is made of tough dense connective tissue layer which protects the heart, anchors it to surrounding vital structures and it also prevents overfilling of the heart with blood.
If the heart skips a beat, we realize how much we depend on this organ every second of our existence.
The heart is the center of debates and arguments for many centuries. The ancient Greeks believe that it is the throne of intelligence. Most of us think that it is the source of emotions. Yet the heart is more complicated than these.
As much as the heart is the center of life which pulsates within us, it also plays a vital role in what kind of life we live. Events and circumstances which are happening in the world today are much influenced by the condition of the heart. We can fill it with goodness which can protect the weak or with evil intent to harm, deceive or sow chaos.
Most of the world’s problems today come from the condition of the heart. They say that a nation’s destiny is determined by its leaders. But can the leader change people’s hearts? Aren’t we responsible for our own state of hearts?
David wrote in Psalms 139:23-24Search me O God and know my heart;test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
If there is an instrument that can measure the colors of the heart, what colors do you think would depict jealousy, discontentment, greed, selfishness, pride, kindness, humility, mercy, understanding or love?
God made our hearts so wonderfully. Only He can change what He has made. Again it’s a choice. He is too gentle and polite to force entry. But He is always willing if you like.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Thorns
Thorns and Roses
Don’t complain about thorns among roses;
Be grateful for roses among thorns.
--Joanie Yoder
I’m painting a bunch of pink roses for my amiable student nurses who took care of me during and after surgery when I noticed I forgot to include the thorns. They don’t look real if I missed the thorns.
Can we just have the roses without the thorns, please? Yet even on Valentines day, we receive roses complete with thorns. We often overlook the thorns and admire the flowers, and the loving thought behind those flowers are more important to us than the gift itself.
But in life we wish that it is a bed of roses. That it is made of soft petals, velvety touch in bright or pastel colors. Unfortunately, life’s journey can be full of thistles, sometimes. We often pray to spare us from the storm, to hide us from the lashing waves. After the onslaught, we wonder how we survived. God’s grace is sufficient and He is never early nor too late.
We get hurt, and most often the scars never go away. They remind us to be humble, that we are not made of gold but our Maker fashioned us from clay. We are far from perfect, yet we are a work in progress. The master Potter sees the finished masterpiece not the crude unfinished lump of clay. He doesn’t give up, until we become a sturdy, shiny vessel whom He can use for His purpose.
My friend from across the globe who has a husband with cancer wrote to me recently, that she had just received bad news about his condition. But she doesn’t lose hope that he will be well someday. She wants to be strong for him, and stay with him through thick and thin. Sharon is an admirable godly woman whose faith can move mountains. She gets up daily and do the best she can and for the things that are too hard to accomplish, she leaves it to God.
We are like teabags. We only know what we are made of if we are put inside a cup of boiling water. It’s hot, but the temperature brings out our real colors. Someone wrote that the real character of the person can be measured not in success but how he handles failures.
When storms hit us, we can either throw in the towel and quit or stand up and finish the race. No one is a born loser. Not until we choose to be one. Everyone has his own gift from God. It may take time to nurture it but the hardest part is FINDING those gifts which have been there within us for many years, and BELIEVING that we can actually use them.
Roses are beautiful but the thorns are part of the package. The most successful person is the one who knows how to live both in good and bad times.
Flowers grow after the rain, and trials produce perseverance. Gratefulness is a virtue that never runs out.
Don’t complain about thorns among roses;
Be grateful for roses among thorns.
--Joanie Yoder
I’m painting a bunch of pink roses for my amiable student nurses who took care of me during and after surgery when I noticed I forgot to include the thorns. They don’t look real if I missed the thorns.
Can we just have the roses without the thorns, please? Yet even on Valentines day, we receive roses complete with thorns. We often overlook the thorns and admire the flowers, and the loving thought behind those flowers are more important to us than the gift itself.
But in life we wish that it is a bed of roses. That it is made of soft petals, velvety touch in bright or pastel colors. Unfortunately, life’s journey can be full of thistles, sometimes. We often pray to spare us from the storm, to hide us from the lashing waves. After the onslaught, we wonder how we survived. God’s grace is sufficient and He is never early nor too late.
We get hurt, and most often the scars never go away. They remind us to be humble, that we are not made of gold but our Maker fashioned us from clay. We are far from perfect, yet we are a work in progress. The master Potter sees the finished masterpiece not the crude unfinished lump of clay. He doesn’t give up, until we become a sturdy, shiny vessel whom He can use for His purpose.
My friend from across the globe who has a husband with cancer wrote to me recently, that she had just received bad news about his condition. But she doesn’t lose hope that he will be well someday. She wants to be strong for him, and stay with him through thick and thin. Sharon is an admirable godly woman whose faith can move mountains. She gets up daily and do the best she can and for the things that are too hard to accomplish, she leaves it to God.
We are like teabags. We only know what we are made of if we are put inside a cup of boiling water. It’s hot, but the temperature brings out our real colors. Someone wrote that the real character of the person can be measured not in success but how he handles failures.
When storms hit us, we can either throw in the towel and quit or stand up and finish the race. No one is a born loser. Not until we choose to be one. Everyone has his own gift from God. It may take time to nurture it but the hardest part is FINDING those gifts which have been there within us for many years, and BELIEVING that we can actually use them.
Roses are beautiful but the thorns are part of the package. The most successful person is the one who knows how to live both in good and bad times.
Flowers grow after the rain, and trials produce perseverance. Gratefulness is a virtue that never runs out.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
ARE YOU AFRAID?
January 27,2008
A Journey
A Journey through Cancer
By Muffet Dolar Villegas
FEAR
I sought the Lord and He answered me;
He delivered me from all my fears.
Psalm 34:4
(Dateline) CEBU
My name was called out and I was given a piece of paper bearing my medical result. Chills ran through my spine as I looked at the five little red dots which seemed to leap out of the pages of the white paper. “God, no… this is almost as many as I had three years ago.” I concentrated on the dots and I can’t hold back the tears. Solid nodules…enlarged lymph nodes… so they’re back. These dots conjured images of the operating room, the chemo room, hairless months, and I could almost smell the chemo drugs again. It was like a dejavu. Three years ago, this was the day and this month of January, when I knew I had breast cancer.
My husband was reading through my result and he put his arms around me protectively and whispered,“Everything will be alright. God will never leave us alone. These are not final results yet. He can reverse anything.”
I turned to God and groaned. Lord, I know the radiologist said it looks bad, but I didn’t know this will be so bad. Yes, this is me, Lord. The one who wrote about courage, hope, faith, and trust in you. The one you taught how to be strong for three years, but look, I am scared as a mouse today.
When I gave the paper to the secretary of my oncologist, she said, “I’m sorry ma’m, but this is not your result. This paper has another name on it, not yours.”
I was shocked and relieved, but felt sad for the owner of that paper. When my real result was given, it showed only one red dot, with rough edges, which is not a good sign either, and it has to be removed right away. But by this time, fear was replaced by peace. I only have to read the inscription in my bracelet given by a missionary and friend, Janelle Stihl last week which quotes Psalm 27:1 “ The Lord is my light and my salvation- whom shall I fear?”.
Fear can paralyze us and block us away from our intimacy with God. Once we are locked away by fear, we are no longer a threat.
How do we fight fear? Nip it in the bud. We can claim God’s faithfulness in the past and present and praise Him for it. Worship kills depression. It sends all the little torturers of the mind and flesh scampering away and hide back in the darkness.
I looked back at all those times when God was faithful. This will be my third surgery in three years time since cancer. I almost died on the second time when all veins but one collapsed for loss of blood. He took care of me through hairless months of chemotherapy. He took charge of our finances and He took care of my husband and children. He reached out to me through people like you. You took time to read my thoughts in this column, and wrote me inspiring emails.
For these past nights, and even during the day, fear peeps inside and draw the curtains away. It smiles wickedly and asks me, “What if your God is too busy for you?”
I shot back and say, “No, he is not busy, he has even time for you.”
I will know the result whether the nodule is malignant or benign after the surgery on Tuesday. My result is in His hands. Its hard to see beyond His will but He has shown me mercy and care for the past three difficult but best years of my life. May His will be done, not mine.
A Journey
A Journey through Cancer
By Muffet Dolar Villegas
FEAR
I sought the Lord and He answered me;
He delivered me from all my fears.
Psalm 34:4
(Dateline) CEBU
My name was called out and I was given a piece of paper bearing my medical result. Chills ran through my spine as I looked at the five little red dots which seemed to leap out of the pages of the white paper. “God, no… this is almost as many as I had three years ago.” I concentrated on the dots and I can’t hold back the tears. Solid nodules…enlarged lymph nodes… so they’re back. These dots conjured images of the operating room, the chemo room, hairless months, and I could almost smell the chemo drugs again. It was like a dejavu. Three years ago, this was the day and this month of January, when I knew I had breast cancer.
My husband was reading through my result and he put his arms around me protectively and whispered,“Everything will be alright. God will never leave us alone. These are not final results yet. He can reverse anything.”
I turned to God and groaned. Lord, I know the radiologist said it looks bad, but I didn’t know this will be so bad. Yes, this is me, Lord. The one who wrote about courage, hope, faith, and trust in you. The one you taught how to be strong for three years, but look, I am scared as a mouse today.
When I gave the paper to the secretary of my oncologist, she said, “I’m sorry ma’m, but this is not your result. This paper has another name on it, not yours.”
I was shocked and relieved, but felt sad for the owner of that paper. When my real result was given, it showed only one red dot, with rough edges, which is not a good sign either, and it has to be removed right away. But by this time, fear was replaced by peace. I only have to read the inscription in my bracelet given by a missionary and friend, Janelle Stihl last week which quotes Psalm 27:1 “ The Lord is my light and my salvation- whom shall I fear?”.
Fear can paralyze us and block us away from our intimacy with God. Once we are locked away by fear, we are no longer a threat.
How do we fight fear? Nip it in the bud. We can claim God’s faithfulness in the past and present and praise Him for it. Worship kills depression. It sends all the little torturers of the mind and flesh scampering away and hide back in the darkness.
I looked back at all those times when God was faithful. This will be my third surgery in three years time since cancer. I almost died on the second time when all veins but one collapsed for loss of blood. He took care of me through hairless months of chemotherapy. He took charge of our finances and He took care of my husband and children. He reached out to me through people like you. You took time to read my thoughts in this column, and wrote me inspiring emails.
For these past nights, and even during the day, fear peeps inside and draw the curtains away. It smiles wickedly and asks me, “What if your God is too busy for you?”
I shot back and say, “No, he is not busy, he has even time for you.”
I will know the result whether the nodule is malignant or benign after the surgery on Tuesday. My result is in His hands. Its hard to see beyond His will but He has shown me mercy and care for the past three difficult but best years of my life. May His will be done, not mine.
THE HANDS WITH A HEART
January 20,2008
A Journey through Cancer
By Muffet Dolar Villegas
Heart of Gold
Beloved,let us love one another,
for love is of God.-1 John 4:7
I can enumerate endless events which happened lately, but I want to highlight on an inspiring couple.
When we pass through life like a zooming jet, we only leave a faint impression of a fading, disappearing smoke. But once in a while, we are reminded to stop and breath, stop and listen, stop and know. Like a delicious soup prepared before us in a cold stormy night, we pause, take in the aroma and close our eyes, then sip and just linger a little bit. I have this precious quiet moment now.
I have so many things to share with you that ideas burst in my head and I don’t know where to start. There were days that I stare blankly at an empty screen for hours, but today is different.
Actually, I’m sick again today, and I am taking a delicious time to rest and ponder on God’s awesome blessings. My kind doctor, Ami Madamba, my children’s pediatrician and a good friend advised me to have a vaccine for protection from any forms of bacteria. I have been an easy target of infection these days, but when our bodies are weak, our spirit seems to go to higher places. This time also serves as my reflection time.
There will be exciting school activities with our Korean students visitors next week, like press conferences which I will handle, and my medical examinations where feelings can be very persuasive like doubts, courage, fear and hope.
But I know that when time comes, God knows how to make just the right mixture, and everything will turn out best.
God added into my list of friends a wonderful couple from England, Noel and Tess Clarke who emailed me and expressed their desire to share their time and abilities to help children with cancer here in Dumaguete city. I was emotional while reading through the email, and the earnest desire to help brought me much hope and courage for others in this journey. I know there are many out there who work quietly, tirelessly to make this world a better place to live. Noel and Tess have devoted their lives in helping other people cope with some debilitating illnesses in England for many years. Noel said that he was encouraged to email me when he read my November article about cancer month. In that issue, I wrote about some of the activities which other medical doctors initiated to help their patients, which was headed by Dr. Geena Macalua, Dr. Jing Rosario and Dr. Sheila Flores of the Silliman University Medical Center.
Tess, is a Filipina, who is also an artist and has a big heart for children. She donated some art materials to my oncologist Dr. Macalua to be used for free art therapy lessons to help cancer warriors.
I write about these people who have willing hearts and hands to help, because I want to encourage others without hope, those who are told that life ends soon and those who feel like they are singled out from all the rest to suffer alone. I would like to let them know that God reaches out His hands, and uses people who make themselves available for the task.
And for those who would like to help cancer warriors, you may approach Dr. Jing Rosario or Dr. Geena Macalua of the the Silliman Medical Center.
Time and distance do not seem to matter to people who have the heart for people. The most beautiful hands are not the smooth ones, but those which bear the mark of their hearts.
A Journey through Cancer
By Muffet Dolar Villegas
Heart of Gold
Beloved,let us love one another,
for love is of God.-1 John 4:7
I can enumerate endless events which happened lately, but I want to highlight on an inspiring couple.
When we pass through life like a zooming jet, we only leave a faint impression of a fading, disappearing smoke. But once in a while, we are reminded to stop and breath, stop and listen, stop and know. Like a delicious soup prepared before us in a cold stormy night, we pause, take in the aroma and close our eyes, then sip and just linger a little bit. I have this precious quiet moment now.
I have so many things to share with you that ideas burst in my head and I don’t know where to start. There were days that I stare blankly at an empty screen for hours, but today is different.
Actually, I’m sick again today, and I am taking a delicious time to rest and ponder on God’s awesome blessings. My kind doctor, Ami Madamba, my children’s pediatrician and a good friend advised me to have a vaccine for protection from any forms of bacteria. I have been an easy target of infection these days, but when our bodies are weak, our spirit seems to go to higher places. This time also serves as my reflection time.
There will be exciting school activities with our Korean students visitors next week, like press conferences which I will handle, and my medical examinations where feelings can be very persuasive like doubts, courage, fear and hope.
But I know that when time comes, God knows how to make just the right mixture, and everything will turn out best.
God added into my list of friends a wonderful couple from England, Noel and Tess Clarke who emailed me and expressed their desire to share their time and abilities to help children with cancer here in Dumaguete city. I was emotional while reading through the email, and the earnest desire to help brought me much hope and courage for others in this journey. I know there are many out there who work quietly, tirelessly to make this world a better place to live. Noel and Tess have devoted their lives in helping other people cope with some debilitating illnesses in England for many years. Noel said that he was encouraged to email me when he read my November article about cancer month. In that issue, I wrote about some of the activities which other medical doctors initiated to help their patients, which was headed by Dr. Geena Macalua, Dr. Jing Rosario and Dr. Sheila Flores of the Silliman University Medical Center.
Tess, is a Filipina, who is also an artist and has a big heart for children. She donated some art materials to my oncologist Dr. Macalua to be used for free art therapy lessons to help cancer warriors.
I write about these people who have willing hearts and hands to help, because I want to encourage others without hope, those who are told that life ends soon and those who feel like they are singled out from all the rest to suffer alone. I would like to let them know that God reaches out His hands, and uses people who make themselves available for the task.
And for those who would like to help cancer warriors, you may approach Dr. Jing Rosario or Dr. Geena Macalua of the the Silliman Medical Center.
Time and distance do not seem to matter to people who have the heart for people. The most beautiful hands are not the smooth ones, but those which bear the mark of their hearts.
A CLOUDY DAY
A Journey
January 13,2008
A Journey Through Cancer
By Muffet Dolar Villegas
The Battle Goes On
It is a cloudy day at the beach, and the pictures I take show no excitement, the colors are drab. The sea reflects the gray skies. But as the sun comes out and the rays find its right places, shadows emerge and the ordinary bangka (canoe) transforms into a beautiful lighted vessel against the backdrop of blue green waters and gleaming sand.
My two little friends, Miggy and Abby frolic in the beach looking for hermit crabs. Miggy is my prayer warrior and Abby is my little model for painting. Their laughter combined with the sound of the waves is life in a nutshell.
The shadows of life is important to superimpose the essence of living. It is not easy to linger in the the shadows, but it makes us appreciate the sunshine. There are ferns that thrives in the shadows and there are plants that explodes in colors only in summer. Both are friends. In one time or another , all of us have passed the shadows and enjoyed the sunshine even more because we knew how it was without it.
In painting, we need the shadows to highlight our focal point. The focus of the subject brings all the emotions that captures the painter and the viewer. The soul of the painting vibrates when we strike the balance of light and dark. All the other objects must play in the shadows to give drama to the main character.
I am three years now since I was diagnosed with breast cancer that was immediately followed by radical mastectomy and chemotherapy. The battle goes on.
Life has changed then. It has become more meaningful, just like today.
Time flies so fast, and without God and your prayers, I won’t be able to survive those valleys of shadows.
The most beautiful part of this journey is touching God through you. The reason behind a person’s strengths, hope, faith, triumphs in life is because someone, somewhere, prayed. I will go through my routine medical tests on the last week of this month, and thank you for the prayers.
When God allows us to walk in the shadow of death, His presence comforts us in spite of fear and pain. His love is magnified when we need it most.
Philip Brookes once said, “Do not pray for easy times. Pray to be stronger men! Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks.”
If you have time, please visit my blog to see some of my paintings which I am able to document. www.muffetvillegascancerart.blogspot.com
January 13,2008
A Journey Through Cancer
By Muffet Dolar Villegas
The Battle Goes On
It is a cloudy day at the beach, and the pictures I take show no excitement, the colors are drab. The sea reflects the gray skies. But as the sun comes out and the rays find its right places, shadows emerge and the ordinary bangka (canoe) transforms into a beautiful lighted vessel against the backdrop of blue green waters and gleaming sand.
My two little friends, Miggy and Abby frolic in the beach looking for hermit crabs. Miggy is my prayer warrior and Abby is my little model for painting. Their laughter combined with the sound of the waves is life in a nutshell.
The shadows of life is important to superimpose the essence of living. It is not easy to linger in the the shadows, but it makes us appreciate the sunshine. There are ferns that thrives in the shadows and there are plants that explodes in colors only in summer. Both are friends. In one time or another , all of us have passed the shadows and enjoyed the sunshine even more because we knew how it was without it.
In painting, we need the shadows to highlight our focal point. The focus of the subject brings all the emotions that captures the painter and the viewer. The soul of the painting vibrates when we strike the balance of light and dark. All the other objects must play in the shadows to give drama to the main character.
I am three years now since I was diagnosed with breast cancer that was immediately followed by radical mastectomy and chemotherapy. The battle goes on.
Life has changed then. It has become more meaningful, just like today.
Time flies so fast, and without God and your prayers, I won’t be able to survive those valleys of shadows.
The most beautiful part of this journey is touching God through you. The reason behind a person’s strengths, hope, faith, triumphs in life is because someone, somewhere, prayed. I will go through my routine medical tests on the last week of this month, and thank you for the prayers.
When God allows us to walk in the shadow of death, His presence comforts us in spite of fear and pain. His love is magnified when we need it most.
Philip Brookes once said, “Do not pray for easy times. Pray to be stronger men! Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks.”
If you have time, please visit my blog to see some of my paintings which I am able to document. www.muffetvillegascancerart.blogspot.com
2008 IS STILL A BABY
January 9,2008
A Journey through cancer
By Muffet Dolar Villegas
Reflections
Year 2008 is still a baby. She’s only a few days old. Her eyes are expectantly looking around her small cubicle, a few weeks more and she can see the world clearly.
She explores her new found strength, her sounds are coos and aahhhsss. She came out with a heavy big bang, depending on where she was born. Everyone welcomed her with laughter, cheers, good wishes and fireworks. People prepared the most delicious food to usher her in.
Around her, news about the currency getting stronger or weaker does not register well. There is a new rise in world oil prices and commodities maybe affected. She doesn’t care. She’s still young, and there’s so much time to dream and live.
Then one day, she begins to explore the world, and the war which made her predecessors sad is still raging mad. Late at night, tired people come to empty homes with broken hearts. Children are either begging in the streets or they live in broken homes disguised as mansions. People are still dying of loneliness or cancer.
The pursuit for happiness is still as elusive as a dream.
After a long journey and endless visits, she comes home sad and exhausted. “The work is too large and the time is too short. I can never be better than the years before me. I can’t even start.” She sighed mournfully.
But as she’s about to give up, she sees a child coming out of a door. Like her, he has hope in his eyes, his feet has wings. She was like him before she started out her journey. He turns around and sees her.
“Come,” he says, “I will show you the rainbows.” And he takes her by the hand and brings her to the same place she had been. But there are no rainbows.
The child detects the frustration in her face and he smiles. “ Look closely. All you see are their tired and unhappy faces. All you hear are their complaints. But look deeper, and you can see a small glimmer in their hearts. Those are the rainbows.”
The year 2008 may not bring a promise of hope and happiness, because she cannot. Each one of us owns that promise. It’s a flicker of faith that lies deep inside our hearts. It cannot die, as long as we hold on and believe.
God did not promise us a world without troubles, but He assures us that He is the spring that we can draw upon our strength and hope.
These sparkling embers can become radiant rays if we all unite in love, understanding, humility, and selflessness to make 2008 much better than the last year.
A Journey through cancer
By Muffet Dolar Villegas
Reflections
Year 2008 is still a baby. She’s only a few days old. Her eyes are expectantly looking around her small cubicle, a few weeks more and she can see the world clearly.
She explores her new found strength, her sounds are coos and aahhhsss. She came out with a heavy big bang, depending on where she was born. Everyone welcomed her with laughter, cheers, good wishes and fireworks. People prepared the most delicious food to usher her in.
Around her, news about the currency getting stronger or weaker does not register well. There is a new rise in world oil prices and commodities maybe affected. She doesn’t care. She’s still young, and there’s so much time to dream and live.
Then one day, she begins to explore the world, and the war which made her predecessors sad is still raging mad. Late at night, tired people come to empty homes with broken hearts. Children are either begging in the streets or they live in broken homes disguised as mansions. People are still dying of loneliness or cancer.
The pursuit for happiness is still as elusive as a dream.
After a long journey and endless visits, she comes home sad and exhausted. “The work is too large and the time is too short. I can never be better than the years before me. I can’t even start.” She sighed mournfully.
But as she’s about to give up, she sees a child coming out of a door. Like her, he has hope in his eyes, his feet has wings. She was like him before she started out her journey. He turns around and sees her.
“Come,” he says, “I will show you the rainbows.” And he takes her by the hand and brings her to the same place she had been. But there are no rainbows.
The child detects the frustration in her face and he smiles. “ Look closely. All you see are their tired and unhappy faces. All you hear are their complaints. But look deeper, and you can see a small glimmer in their hearts. Those are the rainbows.”
The year 2008 may not bring a promise of hope and happiness, because she cannot. Each one of us owns that promise. It’s a flicker of faith that lies deep inside our hearts. It cannot die, as long as we hold on and believe.
God did not promise us a world without troubles, but He assures us that He is the spring that we can draw upon our strength and hope.
These sparkling embers can become radiant rays if we all unite in love, understanding, humility, and selflessness to make 2008 much better than the last year.
MEET MERRY
A Journey Through Cancer
Dec.23,2007
A Journey Through Cancer
By Muffet Dolar Villegas
Meet Merry through Joy
In our pursuit to have a merry Christmas, we get caught into the usual grind of endless activities, shopping rush and parties. Most of us forget the reason for the season, and worse, we end up tired, exhausted and without joy. Are you really merry this Christmas? Are you sure that you will have a happy New year?
The problem with Merry and Happy is that they depend so much on our environment and feelings. But Joy comes like a gentle breeze which brings assurance of an unconditional love and acceptance from God. It defies circumstances and situations. It does not end when life ends, but it goes on and on beyond death.
Christmas is almost over, and there are many things that we want to do within the timeframe which God allows. But we get into the rush of Christmas, and before we know its happening, its all over.
Maybe to some of us Christmas is only a happy holiday, or a time when we can receive beautiful gifts or thirteen month pay and even bonuses. It’s a month to sing Christmas carols to bring joy to many houses but ironically, we stretch their patience when we deprive them of the much needed time to rest and sleep when all they had to do after office hours is to get up and entertain five to ten sets of carolers every night. We can also be selfish in thinking that others have to cater to our needs instead of us giving out a helping hand. But really, what is Christmas all about?
When we are reminded of the real meaning of Christmas during programs, we turn a cold cheek and tell ourselves, here we go again, I knew that story since I was a child. It’s all about a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, was born in a manger, with Joseph and Mary who were denied in every home they went because there was no room left for them to stay.
But we like the part where the three wise men gave Jesus wonderful gifts, because at least that justifies our gift giving.
So let us not miss the most precious gift of Salvation that is offered to all mankind, which is the focal point of every Christmas celebration. In John 3:16, it says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” You may go back and read it again. No, this time, slowly, and understand each word. If we take time and really think about this wonderful truth, is there any reason for us not to be joyful? Do you have joy right now as you read? Or your mind goes back to the thirteenth month pay with nothing left because of deductions?
You may receive a BMW car this Christmas from your brother, father or a spouse, but the thing is, like other material things they are perishable, and when you get used to the feeling of being happy, it wanes and becomes empty. The BMW becomes nice again if someone noticed it as brand new. A diamond ring may last forever here on earth but you can never take it with you when you die. All the precious and not so expensive things that we give to those whom we care about are just a tiny fraction of what is given to us for free which is Salvation, through the babe in a manger.
This kind of joy that Jesus gives does not depend on circumstances. This is the joy which brings inner peace amidst poverty, loneliness in sickness and pain or even at the point of death. We can only have a Merry Christmas and a Happy new year despite of anything that we go through if we have that kind of joy in our hearts.
Dec.23,2007
A Journey Through Cancer
By Muffet Dolar Villegas
Meet Merry through Joy
In our pursuit to have a merry Christmas, we get caught into the usual grind of endless activities, shopping rush and parties. Most of us forget the reason for the season, and worse, we end up tired, exhausted and without joy. Are you really merry this Christmas? Are you sure that you will have a happy New year?
The problem with Merry and Happy is that they depend so much on our environment and feelings. But Joy comes like a gentle breeze which brings assurance of an unconditional love and acceptance from God. It defies circumstances and situations. It does not end when life ends, but it goes on and on beyond death.
Christmas is almost over, and there are many things that we want to do within the timeframe which God allows. But we get into the rush of Christmas, and before we know its happening, its all over.
Maybe to some of us Christmas is only a happy holiday, or a time when we can receive beautiful gifts or thirteen month pay and even bonuses. It’s a month to sing Christmas carols to bring joy to many houses but ironically, we stretch their patience when we deprive them of the much needed time to rest and sleep when all they had to do after office hours is to get up and entertain five to ten sets of carolers every night. We can also be selfish in thinking that others have to cater to our needs instead of us giving out a helping hand. But really, what is Christmas all about?
When we are reminded of the real meaning of Christmas during programs, we turn a cold cheek and tell ourselves, here we go again, I knew that story since I was a child. It’s all about a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, was born in a manger, with Joseph and Mary who were denied in every home they went because there was no room left for them to stay.
But we like the part where the three wise men gave Jesus wonderful gifts, because at least that justifies our gift giving.
So let us not miss the most precious gift of Salvation that is offered to all mankind, which is the focal point of every Christmas celebration. In John 3:16, it says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” You may go back and read it again. No, this time, slowly, and understand each word. If we take time and really think about this wonderful truth, is there any reason for us not to be joyful? Do you have joy right now as you read? Or your mind goes back to the thirteenth month pay with nothing left because of deductions?
You may receive a BMW car this Christmas from your brother, father or a spouse, but the thing is, like other material things they are perishable, and when you get used to the feeling of being happy, it wanes and becomes empty. The BMW becomes nice again if someone noticed it as brand new. A diamond ring may last forever here on earth but you can never take it with you when you die. All the precious and not so expensive things that we give to those whom we care about are just a tiny fraction of what is given to us for free which is Salvation, through the babe in a manger.
This kind of joy that Jesus gives does not depend on circumstances. This is the joy which brings inner peace amidst poverty, loneliness in sickness and pain or even at the point of death. We can only have a Merry Christmas and a Happy new year despite of anything that we go through if we have that kind of joy in our hearts.
A TOUCH CAN HEAL
My Journey
Nov.18,2007
My Journey with Cancer
By Muffet Dolar Villegas
The Healing Touch
I receive a hug very often. Even if they say that patients under chemotherapy should not mingle with a lot of people or stay away from a crowd because we might catch a virus due to very low immune system during the treatment, yet I am happy when someone hugs me.
Is there any connection with touch and healing? In the holy scriptures, Jesus healed many through a command, but some he reached out and touched them, like the leper. He was crying “unclean! Unclean!” so that people will go away from him, but Jesus touched him, and he was healed. Jesus touch meant a lot. It spelled acceptance and love from someone who is the source of hope and love.
Harold Sala wrote in his book Just for Today that a family counselor said that most unwanted pregnancies could have been prevented if a father only hugged his teenage daughter everyday. A hug is a manifestation of love. It can be a fatherly love, motherly, sisterly, brotherly, or plain friendly love.
People respond to a touch. The pain seems to go away when touched by a loving hand or a kind embrace.
Some of us are not so demonstrative when showing that we care. We are molded by the way we were brought up. If we grew up with not so demonstrative parents, we also act the same way as we were treated, but of course with some exceptions.
Our culture also says a lot about our behaviour. Some cultures encourage people to demonstrate a friendly embrace, while others are not permitted even to hold a hand because it connotes another meaning.
But even a pat at the back means something for someone who needs encouragement. A simple handshake says one is pleased to meet you. A hug means it is good to see you or mano po with children kissing the hands of the elderly in a Flipino culture is a sign of deep respect.
I received a lot of hugs lately from women who asked me to speak about the spiritual side of this journey. My family is always demonstrative of their love for me but now I get twice the amount of hugs from them everyday.
A touch like faith in God, can heal.
Nov.18,2007
My Journey with Cancer
By Muffet Dolar Villegas
The Healing Touch
I receive a hug very often. Even if they say that patients under chemotherapy should not mingle with a lot of people or stay away from a crowd because we might catch a virus due to very low immune system during the treatment, yet I am happy when someone hugs me.
Is there any connection with touch and healing? In the holy scriptures, Jesus healed many through a command, but some he reached out and touched them, like the leper. He was crying “unclean! Unclean!” so that people will go away from him, but Jesus touched him, and he was healed. Jesus touch meant a lot. It spelled acceptance and love from someone who is the source of hope and love.
Harold Sala wrote in his book Just for Today that a family counselor said that most unwanted pregnancies could have been prevented if a father only hugged his teenage daughter everyday. A hug is a manifestation of love. It can be a fatherly love, motherly, sisterly, brotherly, or plain friendly love.
People respond to a touch. The pain seems to go away when touched by a loving hand or a kind embrace.
Some of us are not so demonstrative when showing that we care. We are molded by the way we were brought up. If we grew up with not so demonstrative parents, we also act the same way as we were treated, but of course with some exceptions.
Our culture also says a lot about our behaviour. Some cultures encourage people to demonstrate a friendly embrace, while others are not permitted even to hold a hand because it connotes another meaning.
But even a pat at the back means something for someone who needs encouragement. A simple handshake says one is pleased to meet you. A hug means it is good to see you or mano po with children kissing the hands of the elderly in a Flipino culture is a sign of deep respect.
I received a lot of hugs lately from women who asked me to speak about the spiritual side of this journey. My family is always demonstrative of their love for me but now I get twice the amount of hugs from them everyday.
A touch like faith in God, can heal.
NOVEMBER IS CANCER MONTH
My journey
Nov.11,2007
My Journey with Cancer
Muffet Dolar Villegas
CANCER MONTH
November is a cancer awareness month. The Silliman University Medical Center Foundation commemorates this event with various activities for this month. It started during the midweek service which was held last week at the SUMC which was attended by medical practitioners and cancer patients who still undergo treatment, survivors , and supportive family members. Some of those who were present have encountered cancer through their loved ones who passed away battling the disease. The theme was Living with Cancer.
“Most of us are living with cancer in one way or another,” Said Dr. Geena Macalaua, one of my oncologists who has been actively involved in caring for her patients, not only as a physician, but who goes out of her way in organizing activities that can help her patients.
She stressed that we are part of it as caregivers, those who are in medical professions, relatives and friends of the patients and those who are having been diagnosed with the disease themselves.
Fighting cancer is part our battle to survive in the twenty first century. We have adopted a kind of lifestyle that has dramatically changed from our predecessor centuries ago.
What is a day like to you? Do you wake up early in the morning, grab a cup of coffee, and beat the traffic? Since we are living here in Dumaguete city, the traffic is not as time consuming as you live in other cities like Manila, where you spend half of your lifetime on the road as you commute to work everyday. At noontime, we squeezed in some hurried lunch, at some fast food counter and go back to work. After eating dinner at home, we spend more time to earn more money through other means until we drop dead. Let’s all face it. A regular monthly salary in our country cannot even feed the earner, how much more if you have children and they all go to school?
We spend less time in exercise, because walking an extra mile will cut our time from generating another income, sitting in front of the computer to generate extra money, or baking cakes or prepare ice candies to sell tomorrow for another precious bucks at least for transportation fares.
Our children lead the same lifestyle. We force them to wake up early in the morning, grab the same food we eat, which is often saturated with fat and preservatives( the fastest way to prepare for working moms, which our kids love too.) but sometimes, due to pressure, they can hardly eat, so we pack their lunches for school, eat a hurried lunch then go back to class and eat and drink more junkfoods in between.
We don’t want them to be absent or to be late. They have to accomplish well, regardless if their stomachs are empty. Study, study, then work and work, until one day we discover a lump somewhere or something wrong with our blood chemistry.
How much pressure and abuse can our bodies take before it screams for a STOP? How long can little children take activities after activities and stress before we discover its too late?
Cancer strikes not only the middle aged ones but children and young adults too. It waits for the right combination of stress, nutritional deficiencies that weaken the immune system before it shows up. Latest study from John Hopkins says that every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer cells cannot be detected by standard tests until they have multiplied into a few billions. It revealed that cancer cell occur between 6 to more than ten times in a person’s lifetime.
I stopped nagging at my son everytime he can’t get up early for school since I was diagnosed with cancer. I saw many children with cancer during my treatment at the hospitals and I was confronted with priorities in life. I’m not saying that we should not urge them to the best in school, but I would rather see my son alive than lose him to cancer. Others may call it paranoia, but I live with the reality.
We are caught in the web of many celebrations. We measure our accomplishment with many events and activities. We push our limits or we drive others to it. Our crazy world tells us that you are a loser if you can’t reach its standard. The mass media is telling us how to be cool by the world’s standards. But the bottom line is our health, and the quality of life we lead. Life is a gift from God, just like salvation. But like a gift, you are free to accept or reject it.
Nov.11,2007
My Journey with Cancer
Muffet Dolar Villegas
CANCER MONTH
November is a cancer awareness month. The Silliman University Medical Center Foundation commemorates this event with various activities for this month. It started during the midweek service which was held last week at the SUMC which was attended by medical practitioners and cancer patients who still undergo treatment, survivors , and supportive family members. Some of those who were present have encountered cancer through their loved ones who passed away battling the disease. The theme was Living with Cancer.
“Most of us are living with cancer in one way or another,” Said Dr. Geena Macalaua, one of my oncologists who has been actively involved in caring for her patients, not only as a physician, but who goes out of her way in organizing activities that can help her patients.
She stressed that we are part of it as caregivers, those who are in medical professions, relatives and friends of the patients and those who are having been diagnosed with the disease themselves.
Fighting cancer is part our battle to survive in the twenty first century. We have adopted a kind of lifestyle that has dramatically changed from our predecessor centuries ago.
What is a day like to you? Do you wake up early in the morning, grab a cup of coffee, and beat the traffic? Since we are living here in Dumaguete city, the traffic is not as time consuming as you live in other cities like Manila, where you spend half of your lifetime on the road as you commute to work everyday. At noontime, we squeezed in some hurried lunch, at some fast food counter and go back to work. After eating dinner at home, we spend more time to earn more money through other means until we drop dead. Let’s all face it. A regular monthly salary in our country cannot even feed the earner, how much more if you have children and they all go to school?
We spend less time in exercise, because walking an extra mile will cut our time from generating another income, sitting in front of the computer to generate extra money, or baking cakes or prepare ice candies to sell tomorrow for another precious bucks at least for transportation fares.
Our children lead the same lifestyle. We force them to wake up early in the morning, grab the same food we eat, which is often saturated with fat and preservatives( the fastest way to prepare for working moms, which our kids love too.) but sometimes, due to pressure, they can hardly eat, so we pack their lunches for school, eat a hurried lunch then go back to class and eat and drink more junkfoods in between.
We don’t want them to be absent or to be late. They have to accomplish well, regardless if their stomachs are empty. Study, study, then work and work, until one day we discover a lump somewhere or something wrong with our blood chemistry.
How much pressure and abuse can our bodies take before it screams for a STOP? How long can little children take activities after activities and stress before we discover its too late?
Cancer strikes not only the middle aged ones but children and young adults too. It waits for the right combination of stress, nutritional deficiencies that weaken the immune system before it shows up. Latest study from John Hopkins says that every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer cells cannot be detected by standard tests until they have multiplied into a few billions. It revealed that cancer cell occur between 6 to more than ten times in a person’s lifetime.
I stopped nagging at my son everytime he can’t get up early for school since I was diagnosed with cancer. I saw many children with cancer during my treatment at the hospitals and I was confronted with priorities in life. I’m not saying that we should not urge them to the best in school, but I would rather see my son alive than lose him to cancer. Others may call it paranoia, but I live with the reality.
We are caught in the web of many celebrations. We measure our accomplishment with many events and activities. We push our limits or we drive others to it. Our crazy world tells us that you are a loser if you can’t reach its standard. The mass media is telling us how to be cool by the world’s standards. But the bottom line is our health, and the quality of life we lead. Life is a gift from God, just like salvation. But like a gift, you are free to accept or reject it.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
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