My father’s cancer of the colon was discovered when he was 79. He had a huge, hard lump on the right side of his belly. Since my eldest brother, Kuya Junior, was a doctor of medicine, before my father was operated on, he already briefed us and told us to expect the worst. His colleagues at Kaiser Permanente Hospital told him my father could be an open and close case. Meaning, when they open him up, what they would see could be worst that they had to close him up and not touch the tumor anymore. Prior to the operation, he was already given a maximum of 6 months to live. Of course, the doctors and Kuya Junior didn’t relate that sad information to my father.
My father was encouraged to go home to the Philippines to make his one last visit to his beloved country. Not the place of his birth, but the place which nurtured him, gave him hardships and challenges, and some good things too, his forever love Felicing and we, the end products.
My brother in law Bong accompanied my father. They also visited Hongkong for a few days. But my father did not enjoy his HK trip because he complained of pain.
The tumor that was removed was as big as a foot ball. The operation lasted for six (6) long hours. He underwent the usual procedures which I believe to this day never helped anyone. Chemotheraphy, radiation. My Kuya Lito also researched for alternative healing methods. Although quite expensive, my father was brought to Reno every other week for treatments. My Kuya Romy drove for him, it was a 4 hours drive. He was given megadoses of natural vitamins and herbal concoctions. When I saw my father few months later, it was obvious that both the scientific and the natural methods were not working. He dropped his weight, looking so frail and skinny.
He was in so much pain and was always crying.
The last time I saw him alive was when I made a quick visit to San Francisco after I joined the business delegation to NY & Washington DC during President Fidel V. Ramos’ reign. I made him laugh by telling him some Erap jokes.
(reminder to myself- look for a copy of his bday invitation and some of his photos)
