Magnificat!

A blessed Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary! I finally had a follow-up check with my doctor and received the biopsy results about my tumor that was surgically removed a few weeks ago: benign, Schwannoma (nerve tumor). Praise the Lord it's not cancer! 🙏 Sharing with you details about this news:

• Do I have any post-operative nerve deficit?

My hoarse voice, difficulty in swallowing and breathing, and my drooping left eye since the surgery are nerve deficit indications. My doctor did an indirect laryngoscopy, an exam to check the throat area, including the voice box (larynx), and it indicated a deficit in my vocal cords. Although therapy can help me live with these deficits, I can only hope therapy will get me to full nerve recovery.

• What are my next steps?

  • I’m getting a lung x-ray to check my breathing difficulties.

  • I’m going to an ophthalmologist to have my drooping left eye checked.

  • I’m seeing a speech language pathologist (therapist) to seek help with my voice and swallowing difficulties.

  • I will have follow-up checks with my ENT-HNS doctor for a year.

  • Live life with joy!

• How am I?

I’m really thankful I’m alive, God loves me, and I have you! My recuperation continues with my swollen surgery wound slowly subsiding. While the nerve deficits are news no one wants to hear, "I fear no evil; for though art with me." I'm not yet out of the woods, but this journey has been a great opportunity for me to share in the suffering of Christ and others, in confidence that I'm not in this alone.

As we celebrate the feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary today, I give special thanks to my nanay, my strong prayer warrior and caregiver, and Mama Mary who gently carried me in this journey. They continue to be my inspiration to trust in God and "arise and go in haste" in turning to the needs of others, instead of focusing on my own fears about my condition. Today's feast also reminds me of all the relationships God has given me all over the world - I am riding the waves of your love. Your messages and prayers have been my source of courage. I continue to ask for your prayers for my recovery and the next steps I will go through.

Until the next update, see you in the Eucharist.