It was 2006 when I was diagnosed of having “Cushing’s Syndrome,” a type of hormonal imbalance that affects only 2 out of a 100 women (2% of the entire women population).  Just think of the odds!

The condition caused me to be in and out of hospitals, like a guinea pig being subjected to lab work-ups and tests. It caused me to have hypertension, which can cause stroke. It made me a candidate for laser surgery because of the tumor that was seen in my adrenal glands, and, because the disease caused an enormous change in my appearance, I was insecure physically and relationship-wise at the age of 25.

What was worst about it was the fact that I could just die in an instant. I would rather hear my doctors say, “May taning na ang buhay mo, and you’ll live in just a few months.”  But no! Instead, they said that I could have a sudden death!

I was emotionally scared, socially unwell, and physically flustered/tortured; the fear was unimaginable. I can say I was traumatized. I was suffering.

With years of feeling sorry for myself, I pretended that I’m fine, but deep inside, there’s a huge hole in my heart and a lot of questions in my mind. I have faith; I am a practicing and a serving Catholic. Why is this happening to me?

Yes, all these happened in my life. You may have not experienced the same situation, but the feeling of being emotionally scared, socially unwell, and physically flustered/tortured plus the fear and trauma that still lingers in your life are just the same as mine.

But, my friends, I would like to let you know that there is an end to this!.Seeing all my pictures from past to present, there was a great manifestation of how the LORD loves me. This may seem too simple for some, but witnessing the vast changes that happened to me—physical and emotional—how can I not say that “GOD is GREAT!”? I was restored to health, both spiritually and physically. A miracle, I must say.

God was one of the reasons why I AM WHO I AM right now! I am a living example that life offers changes that would make us better in time, all of which are summed up in our beliefs:

Embrace the greatest faith in God, yourself, and everyone who loves you.
Think of all that is good and positive.
Accept, forgive, learn to let go, and move on.
Have splendid hope that the best is yet to come in your life!
Lastly, live life to the fullest, and share it with everyone—from those closest to you to those that you just meet instantaneously everyday.

And I am doing that. That is why, I say, that my second chance in LIFE is really so grand for me.

Enjoy. Smile. Seize the day!