Maria Regina has been staring at the hospital ceiling for almost an hour now. “Dapat nag-aayos na’ko ngayon”, she thought to herself. Tonight is her high school reunion. But instead of being at the salon having her hair and makeup done, she’s at the hospital waiting for her fourth round of chemotherapy. It’s been almost half a year since her diagnosis. Six months ago, she was 30, happy and healthy. Or so she thought.
Regina, as she is fondly called by her family and friends, felt like she was on top of the world. Although she was spending most of her time at work, her social life was far from boring. Like most single young adults, she had money, would travel to different places, meet up with friends or go on a blind date from time to time. In short, she was having the time of her life and was too young to care for anything else. Until she heard the bad news.
Four years ago, she felt a lump in her breast but didn’t give it much attention. After two years, the lump felt bigger and harder. One afternoon, after having lunch with her co-worker/best friend, Regina finally opened up about the lump.
“Camille, may bukol ako sa right breast ko”, she confided to her best friend.
“Patingin nga?”, Camille curiously replied, surprised with Regina’s announcement.
Regina unbuttoned her blouse. Her best friend was shocked. “Ang laki niya! Bakit hindi mo ipacheck-up?”, she asked.
“Ewan ko ba rito”, Regina answered.
“Mas magandang malaman nang maaga para maagapan diba?” her friend suggested.
Regina just shrugged it off.
A few weeks later, as they were planning their upcoming high school reunion, Regina brought up the same topic with her friends Wawie, Tessa and Marj.
“Uy, may sasabihin ako sa inyo”, Regina declared. “May bukol ako sa right breast ko”, she continued.
Alarmed by what she heard, Wawie reacted “Hala, kelan pa ‘yan? Pinacheck-up mo na ba?”
“Hindi pa. Natatakot ako eh baka cancer kasi ‘to”, Regina admitted.
“Bukas na bukas sasamahan ka namin magpacheck-up. May alam kong clinic malapit sa PGH para mapa-biopsy na yan. Naku, huwag mong balewalain yan. Mas delikado pag pinatagal mo pa.”, her other friend, Tessa, offered.
The following morning, Regina and her three friends went to the clinic Tessa suggested. The doctor advised for an immediate biopsy because she suspected something different. Right at that moment, the biopsy took place.
After two weeks, they went back to the clinic to get the result. Regina’s suspicion was finally confirmed. She was diagnosed with Breast Cancer, Stage 2-A and was advised for a mastectomy on her right breast.
“Ang bilis ng pangyayari. Cancer agad? Pa’no ako nagkaron nun wala naman kaming family history nun. Teka lang, gusto ko pa magkaroon ng sariling pamilya. Pano na yung mga pangarap ko?” Regina’s mind was in a blur. How can this be happening to her? She was only 30 years old. It felt so unfair.
After a series of tests, she proceeded with the operation. Hindi na siya nakakapasok nang maayos sa trabaho. Mabuti na lang, may kaunti siyang ipon para ma-sustain ang mga immediate needs niya. While she was still able to buy maintenance meds for her 64-year-old father, she felt her emergency fund slowly running out.
Regina was also advised to undergo eight cycles of chemotherapy. On top of that, she was prescribed supplements and other medicines to strengthen her immune system so her body can keep up with the painstaking sessions.
As Regina’s savings slowly decreased, she decided to file for an SSS Sickness or Disability Claim Benefit. To make matters worse, she found out that her employer was not remitting her contributions to SSS. At dahil dun, nabalewala lahat ng ilang taon na pagtatrabaho niya. Nalaman din niyang wala pala siyang makukuhang pension pag nag-retire na siya! Yun na lang sana ang inaasahan niya. Financial help from relatives and friends started to pour in, but it still wasn’t enough to make ends meet.
Now all Regina could do is stare at that white hospital ceiling. She couldn’t help but feel regret and self-pity. Everything feels so uncertain now. What if she did things differently? What if she saved more? Ang daming what ifs.
“Ang mahal magkasakit. Ang hirap na hindi ko sya napaghandaan. Lahat ng ipon ko naubos lang sa pagpapagamot, kulang pa!.”
You can never be too young to get coverage. Mas mura at madaling kumuha ng insurance habang bata pa. Sickness can strike anyone, anytime. Walang pinipili ang pagkakasakit. Huwag mo nang hintayin na mahuli pa ang lahat bago ka magdesisyong kumuha ng proteksyon. Insurance will help you and your loved ones go through financial hardships without being stressed and worried.
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