Family Dinner and a Cancer...
By Toni
@toniganzon (72279)
Philippines
June 4, 2016 6:11pm CST
Last night we had a family dinner at my sister's house for my brother's 42nd birthday. It was nice to have this family reunion once in awhile.
My Aunt, Dad's younger sister then broke the news. Our Aunt Betty (her sister-in-law, our late Uncle's wife) has cancer. Stage 3 leukaemia. She's in her 60s.
We just had dinner with Aunt Betty last week too on her grand daughter's birthday. She looked happy to see us all. She didn't look weak, pale, or even frail. She doesn't have to worry about her kids as all three are very successful in their careers. She didn't have to worry about money as my Uncle left her more than enough when he died. She may not live long to be in her 90s, but she is going to live contented with a happy life she has longed for her children.
34 people like this
34 responses
@marguicha (216234)
• Chile
4 Jun 16
I was diagnosed with a stage 4 lymphoma 5 years ago. I went through chemo and although I am not cured, the lymphoma is on remission.
My life changed as I don´t have much chances of reaching 90 years of age. So I put away some money every year to go on a 2 week vacation in our Winter. As I don´t dare go alone anymore, I either invite someone or offer someone to share expenses.
6 people like this
@toniganzon (72279)
• Philippines
5 Jun 16
@marguicha yeah I know. I lost both my parents when I was 13.
1 person likes this
@ilocosboy (45157)
• Philippines
4 Jun 16
you're auntie is very strong woman, I admire her not only with her strength against cancer but her contentment of life.
3 people like this
@toniganzon (72279)
• Philippines
4 Jun 16
All her children are adults and with a family of their own. My Aunt need not worry about them anymore when she has to go coz they're all well settled in.
3 people like this
@melindataylor22 (959)
• Waltham, Massachusetts
5 Jun 16
I am sorry to hear about your aunt. I have a close friend who's father has cancer and it is spreading. He is in his 80's and has recently gotten progressively sicker. He is in hospice care and wanted to go home and did but had to return because he hurt himself and was not himself. He had months and now weeks left to live according to his doctors. My friend and her family are visiting him as much as possible and never know when he will pass. I feel so badly for her because I know it's painful and stressful. I am trying to support her as much as I can and pray for her too.
2 people like this
@ida123 (6206)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
5 Jun 16
The good thing even she has that cancer, she was with her children and that's important, someone can console her chemo process not like my sister, she's the only one who fought that dreaded diseases because she has no family there. The most important on fighting this disease is that, you have someone who took care of you and help you along the way, fighting this disease.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72279)
• Philippines
6 Jun 16
She's calm because she doesn't have to worry about anything in her life at all.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72279)
• Philippines
6 Jun 16
@ida123 My aunt kind of anticipated it and she didn't cry.
1 person likes this
@ida123 (6206)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
6 Jun 16
@toniganzon Good that she feels that way, when my Dad diagnosed a stage 3 prostate cancer, he cried but he fight that monster C and did it, until now, he still survives.
@sunrisefan (28524)
• Philippines
5 Jun 16
A sad news but with a positive note on the side - your Aunt Betty has taken the leukemia in stride and has accepted it. It's the acceptance that makes a person strong despite knowing where he's going. Bless your Aunt Betty!
2 people like this
@toniganzon (72279)
• Philippines
5 Jun 16
She just learned about it a few days ago. We haven't met yet but we know she's fine.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72279)
• Philippines
5 Jun 16
@sunrisefan she lives in Cavite but now she's in San Juan Greenhills with her son coz it's nearer when she goes for her chemo at St. Luke's.
1 person likes this
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
5 Jun 16
What do I add here. I know it takes strength for sure. Well I feel Aunt Betty can feel happy about the fact that she has no dependants and also she does not have to depend too much on others at this stage of her life. It can make her sad at times that there is no one as close around her during these times. But I am sure the family and you dear people will be around to take good care of her.
Keeping her well being in my prayers
1 person likes this
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
5 Jun 16
@toniganzon that's really very nice to know Toni. Bless those children who got enough morals, and have kept the meaning of family alive. I know many who forget their parents when they are in real need.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72279)
• Philippines
5 Jun 16
@thesids not in my family Sid. We were raised to have good family values.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72279)
• Philippines
5 Jun 16
Her two children will be around her during the toughest times with her grandchildren too. Her daughter from the US is coming home in July as well. She's surrounded by her loved ones.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72279)
• Philippines
6 Jun 16
Yeah, she can. It all depends on her. It's either she wish to stay and suffer or wish to go and be with her husband.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72279)
• Philippines
6 Jun 16
@LadyDuck Yes, she has enjoyed her life and will enjoy the remaining of it.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (460136)
• Switzerland
6 Jun 16
@toniganzon I believe that until she does not suffer, she can still enjoy life. I would not stay and suffer.
@ria1606roy (2797)
• Kolkata, India
5 Jun 16
I hope her remaining days are spent in peace. It is sad. But she's also happy, which is good for her and her family, so all of you have to stay strong for each other.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72279)
• Philippines
6 Jun 16
Hi, I believe she's already in peach and ready to go any time. She has fulfilled her dreams and wishes already. Nothing more left but to be with her husband.
1 person likes this
@ria1606roy (2797)
• Kolkata, India
6 Jun 16
@toniganzon There's nothing more satisfying that fulfilling all the wishes in life 
@toniganzon (72279)
• Philippines
6 Jun 16
@trivia79 nope. None of her family members have it. She's the first one.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72279)
• Philippines
6 Jun 16
I think she's calm enough to accept she has the big C.
1 person likes this
@trivia79 (7828)
• El Segundo, California
6 Jun 16
@toniganzon maybe, few of her family members had it.
@missjessicadawn (3286)
• United States
12 Jun 16
Cancer is a terrible thing. Sending prayers to your Aunt Betty and the rest of the family. It's wonderful that she has such a wonderful family surrounding her and she's happy.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72279)
• Philippines
6 Jun 16
I believe she is happy and she will be until her last day. Thank you.
@toniganzon (72279)
• Philippines
7 Jun 16
Yeah she's a strong woman and life goes on for her.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72279)
• Philippines
5 Jun 16
Yes, that's the most important thing. She's in good spirits.
@toniganzon (72279)
• Philippines
5 Jun 16
Don't know how she would react to chemo. It may extend her life but I doubt if it can be cured.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72279)
• Philippines
6 Jun 16
She's a strong woman. The whole family has accepted the fact of her disease and she's not that depressed about it.
@toniganzon (72279)
• Philippines
5 Jun 16
It's going to be ok. We just want her to continue enjoying her life for as long as she can.
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
5 Jun 16
I am sorry to hear that. BUT there are excellent treatments these days. I was the caretaker for a man that was last stage leukemia and I made sure there was not a day that passed that I made sure to encourage him to live.
1 person likes this
