I thought my chemotherapy sessions would never end. It was the most difficult, nerve-wracking, physical challenge I've had to face in all my adult life. I have faced serious medical conditions before, but never quite like this. After each session, I wanted to throw up constantly but wasn't able to; I longed to read but my eyes couldn't seem to focus; wanted to stay up but felt too woozy to do so for long. All I wanted to do is stay asleep till all the side effects were gone, but obviously, it wasn't that simple. Perhaps it was just me. Some people I know have varying experiences from minimal side effects to none at all. Lucky them!

My story began in late December 2005, when I felt a lump on my right breast while taking a bath. I told myself that it was nothing and that it was just brought on by my monthly period. However, a week after my period was over, the lump was still there. I finally told my sister Emma, and we decided to see a surgical oncologist, Dr. George Eufemio, after the holidays. Dr. Eufemio was the doctor of both my parents who had cancer. My father, lung, my mother, breast. My family and I had complete trust in him.

On the day Dr. Eufemio examined me, he ordered me to have a mammogram and an ultrasound. That afternoon, his secretary called me. I instinctively knew it was bad news. I've never had a doctor's office call me on the same day of my exam. They told me to come in the next day, a Friday, for a fine needle biopsy. The morning after, a Saturday, his secretary called me at 8am while I was having breakfast. When I heard her voice, without her even saying anything , I already began to cry. She didn't have to tell me, I knew. The doctor wanted to see me immediately. Without delay, I left for the hospital. My sister Nenette met me there.

Dr. Eufemio told me that all the tests showed that my lump seemed positive for a malignancy. They had to operate to make certain. I had my operation two weeks after my initial diagnosis in January 2006. When I awoke from surgery I was told that my right breast had been removed. I eventually found out that I had breast cancer, stage 2B.

Then came my chemo. Dr. Pauline Kaw, a medical oncologist, took over my treatment. I have never met a kinder, more caring doctor. I was blessed to have had her care for me. But even that did not help ease the difficulty I faced during my treatment. Thus began the long road for treatment and recovery.

In early 2007, I joined a bible study class in Alabang, and by God's divine hand, my discussion leader was Joy Trinidad, who also had just battled breast cancer. In the same group was Melissa Joseph, who was at that time going through her chemo treatments, likewise for breast cancer.

Midway through the year, Joy brought up to Melissa and I the possibility of starting a women's cancer support group in the south. Apparently, she and her friend, Mae Corvera, a doctor in Palliative Medicine, had thrown around the idea about putting up such a group whenever they met. Melissa and I were open to the plan. We set to all get together. Joy told us she would invite another lady, Angie Laborte, also a cancer survivor.

We all had breakfast, and friendships were quickly formed and the commitment to start a support group took seed However, in the coming weeks we grappled about what to do and where to go next. Dr. Mae suggested that we look into what Dr. Harold Benjamin of The Wellness Community (TWC) had done in the US using the "Patient Active" concept.

Then in August 2007, my only child died. During the wake, my Scholastican friends who came to visit talked about Carewell. Bobbit Suntay, a high school friend was running it. After the funeral, I told Joy and the rest of the group. We scheduled a visit. When we went to Carewell, the vision of what we wanted to do solidified. We finally had a model we wanted to pattern after. Then to our pleasant surprise, it turned out that Carewell was the only international affiliate of TWC in Southeast Asia! That was a bonus indeed!

In that same month, I attended a birthday party of a friend who was visiting from the US. I met a doctor at the party who was a surgical oncologist, Dr. Aldine Basa. We got around to talking and I told her about our attempts at putting up a support group. Dr. Basa invited us to meet the Board of the Department of Surgery of Asian Hospital. It seemed that they wanted to put up a cancer support group in Asian Hospital.

By then, The turn of events were simply amazing. The sheer fact that the evolving group seemed to take a life of its own was a confirmation that God's hand was in it. This was the birth of Project Pink, a women's cancer support group. We met with the doctors of the Department of Surgery of Asian Hospital, and Project Pink was invited to be their cancer support group. We were elated at the invitation. We finally had a home.

Soon thereafter we had our 1st Organizational Meeting in Asian Hospital and we had over 70 participants who came. We participated in the activities of Asian Hospital in October for their Breast Cancer Awareness Month. When 2008 opened, with the assistance of Carewell, we started our support group meetings at the Doctor's Lounge at Asian Hospital. Much as we are a women's cancer support group, we have men who have consistently been at our meetings, and we are more than happy to have them with us! Today, we are planning a golf tournament in June 25, 2008 to raise funds to set up a resource centre; and for the various activities and outreaches we plan to do.

Much has happened to Project Pink since that first day that Joy had asked Melissa and me about putting up a support group. It seemed so long ago. But it hasn't been. It probably just feels that way because Joy, Melissa, Dr. Mae and Angie, and all the rest who are in our support group seem to have become an integral part of my life now. They have become a new family.

Maybe because they also speak a language only those who have been through cancer understand. They know the valleys, peaks, joys, fears and struggles that accompany the battle.

It is not that I was alone during my own battle. Hardly so. My family has always been at my side. My Mother most specially. I had the gift of loved ones and friends cheering me on. I had countless prayers lifted up for me. I had excellent doctors who diligently made sure I would win through.

But I guess a support group does make the difference. You are fed not just information, which is so vital, but also positive thoughts and emotions we so badly need on the days we feel we just can't go on. It gives you the courage and strength to become more active in your own treatment and recovery. It gives you the hope that you will have many brighter tomorrows.

And you know what? I will. I will have many brighter tomorrows. By the grace and mercy of God, I will. Because my doctors will be there. All my loved ones will be there. And because Project Pink will definitely be there.