Cancer-stricken OFW finds solace in YouTube, raises awareness about the disease

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – An overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who has been battling cancer for over a year has turned to social media for solace and also to raise awareness about the life-threatening disease.

“Through YouTube, I get to know different people from all over the world, may they be virtual friends, co-YouTubers or people who have been going through the same ordeal with the big C,” Rodel Yaon “Bheng” Jerusalem, 35, who hails from Siquijor, told GMA News Online.

“We  encourage, motivate and boost each other’s morale to stay strong, keep fighting and to have faith,” said Jerusalem, who holds a degree in business administration from Mindanao State University’s Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU- IIT).

Jerusalem said she is grateful to her “supportive and generous YouTube friends for their love and support.”

“They have made a very big impact in my life as I battle this cancer. I find comfort in them when I had nothing else to do. YouTube has been my outlet. People can visit my channel at ‘Bheng’s TV’ where you can watch my life story,” Jerusalem said.

She said she also used her YouTube channel to raise awareness about the dreaded disease.

“Kapag may nararamdaman sa katawan, huwag magdadalawang-isip magpa-check up agad, kasi baka huli na ang lahat,” she advised.

(If you are feeling something in your body, don't hesitate to see a doctor before it's already too late.)

Office assistant

Despite her affliction, Jerusalem, who lives in Al Ain in the eastern region of Abu Dhabi, goes to work to keep up with medical expenses. She is currently employed as an office assistant.

“I need to work kahit medyo hirap talaga kasi masakit na yung bones ko sa likod. Sa insurance lang kasi ako nakaka-rely for my treatment,” Jerusalem said. 

(I need to go to work even if it's difficult because of the pain in my back. I'm only relying on my insurance for my treatment.)

Jerusalem said working while suffering from cancer sometimes borders on the impossible.

“I realized I am not that effective and efficient anymore due to my condition. Aside from being absent every now and then for my check-ups and procedures to be done, I also have a hard time coming to office every day as I’m not really feeling well.

“I have to get up, dress up, show up and never give up. My family back home wants me to be with them, but due to the  COVID pandemic and the cost of treatment in Philippines, I have decided I might as well continue my treatment here,” Jerusalem said.

Denial

Jerusalem was diagnosed with breast cancer in December of 2019.

“At first, I was in denial that I have this big C. But later on, I got to accept it and told myself I have to go on with life,” said Jerusalem, who was working at the finance department of a reputable UAE company here at the time.

Life sometimes has its cruel turns and for Jerusalem, it was losing her job.

“I had no work from May to December 2020. Due to my treatment and its intense side effects, I had no choice but to stay at home. I have spent my little savings as well as the financial support from my family and friends within this time period on all the bills I have to pay,” she said.

Jerusalem got her current job in January this year.

Jerusalem said her travails began one day when he felt a small lump on her breast.

“I ignored it for few months until it became bigger and bigger until such time that I decided to have it checked. It turned out that the cancer was already in stage three,” she narrated.

“Treatments were made – chemotherapy, surgery, radiation. Recently, I was checked and scanned again to monitor how the treatment was going,” she said, adding that “unfortunately, the cancer cells have already metastasized to my lumbar spine and cervical bones.”

Jerusalem said the doctor gave her two options: one is to have her ovaries removed. “I am an estrogen+ and as we know our ovaries secretes hormones that could possibly lead to the spread of cancer cells to my other vital organs,” she explained.

The second option, she said, is to have “a monitoring injection to stop my menstrual period and the spread.”

“The second option is pricey as it should be done every month for life,” she said.

Jerusalem lives with friends at a shared accommodation. The Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi has learned of her condition and is currently extending assistance. —KBK, GMA News