My name is Gerry (not his real name), 31 years old, from Cavite.
Seven years ago, when I was in Senior High School, I was diagnosed with a right insular glioma, a grade 2 brain tumor. It was in October when I received the diagnosis. A few months later, in December, I underwent brain surgery. Thankfully, the surgery was successful, and the doctors were able to remove the tumor.
After the surgery, I was advised to undergo further treatments, including chemotherapy. However, I was not able to continue with the recommended treatments because the COVID-19 pandemic happened during that time, making it difficult for me to receive the proper treatment and follow-up care. As the years passed, many things happened in my life. I was able to find a job as a security guard in an exclusive subdivision in Tagaytay. However, after working there for about a month, I suddenly passed out while on duty. At that time, I had missed taking my maintenance medication for my seizures.
A few days later, I went back to the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) for a check-up. The doctor told me that I needed to undergo another MRI to determine what was happening. After about a week, we returned to PGH with the results of my MRI. That was when the doctor told me that my brain tumor had returned and had become bigger and wider. The doctor advised us to go to the Cancer Institute, Room 101, where many patients were waiting for their follow-up consultations with Dr. Elizer Montemayor. When we finally had our consultation, the doctor reviewed my MRI results and explained my condition to us.
Because my tumor had grown larger, another brain surgery was not recommended. We were told that another operation could have serious risks, including the possibility of death or becoming bedridden. Instead, I was given oral chemotherapy through the Jeremy Lim Memorial Brain Tumor Fund of Lets Save the Brain Foundation while undergoing radiation treatment. After 1 year of treatment, I am now advised to continue with regular monitoring to observe my condition.
Today, I am thankful to say that my brain tumor is stable.
I have learned to accept that I have limitations right now, but I also learned that having limitations does not mean that life has to stop. Life goes on. I am now thinking of enrolling next semester as a tourism student.
There are days when things are difficult, but I continue to hold on to my faith, my doctors, my family, my loved ones, and the people who continue to support me.
If you are reading my story and you are also living with a brain tumor or cancer, please don’t lose hope. Your journey may not be easy, and there may be moments when you feel afraid, tired, or discouraged. But keep fighting and keep believing. There is always a reason to keep moving forward. God, our doctors, our families, and our loved ones are always there for us.
This is my story—not a story of giving up, but a story of continuing to live, hope, and fight with faith in God. I may have a limitation, but I still have a life to live. And as long as I am given another day, I will continue to be grateful.
Never lose hope. Keep fighting. Keep believing. ❤️🙏
