Seeing What’s Essential

Living with cancer makes me look at life in a whole new way

Looking at Patricia Lim now, and how she naturally glows with optimism, it can be hard to imagine that just three years ago, Patricia’s health and well being were at risk.

“September 2017 marked my life. I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and it forced me to begin my life at 40,” Patricia says. Understanding that she was coping with this new reality, a dear friend gave her a whole set of essential oils. “My friend knew that I needed them at that time because I was going through my chemotherapy treatment. The oils have helped me manage the side effects of chemo. I have never stopped oiling since then,” Patricia says.

Patricia, who kept on working as she privately sought treatment for seven months, recalls the moment when she was finally ready to share her story with her colleagues at the company from which she previously belonged. “I was done with treatment, so I was comfortable enough to go bald when I was out, but of course it took a lot of courage to do that,” she says. Comparing this show of candor to how she kept her condition to herself in the earlier part of her journey, where at first she would wear wigs, there is a sense of acceptance and amusement now, as she looked back on the stages she went through. “We had a very big concert in Araneta, with Eraserheads as the main act. So I was there, I was partying, and I was wearing my wig but alam niyo ingat na ingat ako to dance kasi baka mahulog yun hair ko. So alam mo looking at that experience parang natatawa nalang ako, but of course at that time I was really careful. At the same time, I wanted to enjoy the moment. I wanted to feel normal, so I danced and sang my heart out—while asking my friend who knew I had cancer, tabingi na ba hair ko, nausog ba yun wig ko? It was so funny!” she exclaims.

Patricia adds: “Cancer gave me a magnifying lens. It gave me clarity on what truly matters in life – to pursue significance instead of success, to serve others, and to fulfill my purpose in this path that I was led to. Caritas Christi Urget Nos: the love of Christ compels us. That has been ingrained in my heart. Caritas is action born of persevering faith and of a deep love of God and neighbor, especially the underprivileged. It is the love of Christ that fills our hearts and drives us to lift others.”

“My cancer story doesn’t end with having gone through all the treatments.”

“It’s just the end of a chapter. A new chapter unfolds. Living with cancer looming over you is bound to take a mental and emotional toll. The impact of a cancer diagnosis is dramatic and life altering. Even when treatment is successful, the constant worry about the cancer returning lingers. There are days that a cancer warrior feels lost and that’s normal. Another milestone in my journey is I am slowly equipping myself in being a cancer coach. I help cancer survivors navigate through paths that lead them from surviving to thriving.

“Being a cancer survivor, it has been my mission and life’s purpose to find ways to help underprivileged cancer patients. Despite the numerous medical advances that are continuously being developed globally, many people still think cancer is a death sentence. This is true most especially for those who do not have the capacity to pay for these treatments. They just decide to do nothing and accept their fate. I have formed a cancer support group two years ago and it is my dream to have a foundation for these cancer patients and give these patients a fighting chance to overcome this disease. We all deserve that,” Patricia explains how she found this new calling in life, and how this perfectly suits her career pathway at Ayala too.”