Abbygale Arenas: The Cancer Warrior Queen

(Photo courtesy of Ms. Abbygale Arenas)

One can’t simply imagine how terrifying and devastating it must feel to wake up one day and be diagnosed with any type of cancer. This dreadful disease can sometimes feel like a death sentence. Learning that you have cancer can be difficult, painful, and emotionally draining. I can’t even begin to imagine how doctors feel whenever they have to deliver such sad news to their patients. One can only imagine what it’s really like to manage and deal with the emotional, physical, and financial effects of having cancer — stress, depression, fear, anxiety, sadness, dealing with financial constraints, and being physically exhausted with all the treatments that a cancer patient undergoes. 

It’s a given that cancer changes everyone’s life — that of the cancer patient’s and of her loved ones’. It is all overwhelming for everyone involved and most of the time, everyone doesn’t have a clue on how to go about it, much less what to say and how to treat the cancer patient without being too much of a “cheerleader”. All we can do is to be mindful and to educate ourselves about this killer disease so we can cope better and be there for our loved one who is living with cancer. We need to learn to listen to them without prejudice and know to give advice only when asked. Above all, we just have to be there for them and give them the normalcy they must yearn for before the big C.

(Photo courtesy of Ms. Abbygale Arenas)

Such is the journey of Abbygale Williamson Arenas, a former highly successful top model who is said to resemble another famous international top model, Linda Evangelista. Abbygale Arenas represented the Philippines twice in her lifetime: once, at the international finals of the Ford Supermodel of the World and the second time was during the Miss Universe in 1997, wherein she placed 11th (missing the Top 10 by a mere 0.01 of a point) and it was in the same pageant where she took home the Miss Photogenic title. Since then, Abbygale has successfully transformed herself into a triumphant entrepreneur and owner of her own company, Personi-fi Image Studio. Since 2007, Abbygale has been transforming countless lives into becoming their better versions. It has become Abbygale’s mission in life to help others build their personalities and characters to achieve their fullest potentials. Abbygale has also successfully transitioned into becoming a wife to highly acclaimed photographer, Jun De Leon for over 23 years and a devoted mother to their two beautiful children — Irijah and Eli.

However, it’s not quite all roses and fairytale for our heroine Abbygale. She has been diagnosed, and is currently living, battling and surviving the  Big C. Let’s get to learn more about Abbygale Arenas, not as a Beauty Queen, but this time, as a woman, as a wife and as a mother living and coping with cancer. Let’s read more about this Cancer Warrior Queen.

At the hospital with her son, Ijah during the removal of her port-a-cath. A port-a-cath is a device that is usually placed under the skin on the right side of the chest. Healthcare providers use implanted ports to give IV treatments and blood transfusions directly into a vein. (Photo courtesy of Ms. Abbygale Arenas)

When asked how and when she was diagnosed, Abbygale responds, “I was diagnosed with cancer in June 2020.” Abbygale further explains, “I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Breast Cancer HER2 Positive.” According to an article from Mayo Clinic (https://www.mayoclinic.org/breast-cancer/expert-answers/faq-20058066), “HER2-positive breast cancer is a breast cancer that tests positive for a protein called human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). This protein promotes the growth of cancer cells. In about 1 of every 5 breast cancers, the cancer cells have extra copies of the gene that makes the HER2 protein. HER2-positive breast cancers tend to be more aggressive than other types of breast cancer.” But how exactly did Abbygale find out about her cancer? “I went to have myself checked because I found a small pimple on my left breast and my OB told me to go for a mammogram.”

Abbygale continues, “The mammogram result was Birad 5. I didn’t know what that meant so I researched and prepared for the worst. I was told to get a biopsy, breast panel, and several other tests before we finally sat down with an oncologist.” To explain it more clearly for those of us who have no idea about any of these medical terminologies, and per an article written by Diagnostic Imaging Centers, PA (https://www.dic-kc.com/2016/mammogram-reports-and-bi-rads-categories-4-5/), “BI-RADS category 5 means there’s a high suspicion of malignancy and that appropriate steps should be taken. The finding might be masses with or without calcifications. While microcalcifications are most often benign, there are occasions where their patterns are more worrisome.” In Abbygale’s case, it was definitely worrisome.

During the 2022 6th Southeast Asian Breast Cancer Symposium online. (Photo courtesy of Ms. Abbygale Arenas)

My curiosity was further piqued so I just had to ask Abbygale if there was any family history of cancer and to which she replies, “There was no family history of any cancer.” This just proves a fact that the big C can affect anyone anytime anywhere. No one is immune from cancer. The big C can develop at any age. As we get older, most types of cancer become more common. Cancer can take decades to develop. That’s why most people diagnosed with cancer are 65 or older. However, while it’s more common in older adults, again, just to reiterate and citing Abbygale as an example, cancer isn’t exclusively an older adult disease — cancer can be diagnosed at any age at any given time. Personally, I have lost a number of friends at a young age from cancer. And losing my dear friends during the prime of their lives to this awful disease really sucks.

Fortunately for Abbygale, she has a strong support system and is surrounded by so much love and comfort. “My husband Jun, my two children Ijah and Eli, our nanny Cathy, and our driver Tabby became my core team. My step children, my parents, an uncle and an aunt, my sister, my brother, a neighbour, a bunch of friends and my friends from Regnum Christi (Regnum Christi is a Federation (within the Catholic Church) comprised of four vocations: Legionaries of Christ (the priestly congregation), Consecrated Women of Regnum Christi, Lay Consecrated Men of Regnum Christi and the Lay Members of Regnum Christi),  became my full support network. During the entire time that I was going through my diagnosis and treatment, only my inner circle knew what was going on,” narrates Abbygale.

A photo of just how much hair Abbygale lost during her treatment. (Photo courtesy of Ms. Abbygale Arenas)

Regarding her cancer treatment process, Abbygale says, “I had 18 chemotherapy sessions every 3 weeks, 30 radiations every day, and 1 radical mastectomy.” She  elaborates, “I did all my cancer treatments in a span of one year and a half. My cancer treatments happened during the pandemic, so I was able to still work and give webinars. I continued working on my company through online. On zoom meetings that l conducted, no one knew I was wearing a wig. I lost my hair due to chemotherapy sessions. I tried to live as normally as I could. My family would take me for short walks, but I must say because of my cancer treatments, fatigue was a major concern for me. I get exhausted easily at times.”

Abbygale further shares, “I lost all of my hair before the 2nd chemo. I wore a lot of turbans, I experimented on wigs and finally settled on a short one. I would wear a thin covering over my head around the house. It was a good thing that all of this happened during the pandemic, so I didn’t need to go out much. Sometimes, there will be days that I would have a burst of energy but usually only for a limited time; I would try to do normal things like playing with the boys or going to the grocery. I just needed to have some normalcy in my life even though I was going through such a harrowing experience.”

With her source of strength, inspiration, love and happiness — her family. (Photo courtesy of Ms. Abbygale Arenas)

With regard to her cancer treatments and how she copes with these, Abbygale says, “All my treatments went well; each chemo session needed bloodwork and each time I would pass  the bloodwork, it felt like such a huge accomplishment! My family also made sure that I ate the right food, got enough exercise, had enough sunlight, and lots of rest. However, with each treatment, my body got weaker, and it definitely got harder. There was so much pain in every part of my body; and there was even a time that it got so difficult and painful, I yelled at everyone! And to think that yelling is not really part of my character. Only Eli, my youngest son, can come close to me. Even taking a shower took so much effort. Gratefully, it was my family’s love and support that made me overcome all these tough challenges. Their love and patience helped me through my painful treatments.” 

This is the thing about the big C: Per an article from National Cancer Institute (https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/side-effects/pain/pain-pdq), “Pain is one of the most common symptoms in cancer patients.  Pain can be caused by cancer, cancer treatment, or a combination of factors. Tumours, surgery, intravenous chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, supportive care therapies such as bisphosphonates, and diagnostic procedures may cause cancer patients a lot of pain.” The pain can be described as dull aching, pressure, burning, or tingling. Others describe the immense pain similar to what it may feel like when one loses a limb. Also, pain changes a person’s character. This is why it’s so important to be more understanding and have a lot of compassion for our loved ones who are going through cancer.

(Photo courtesy of Ms. Abbygale Arenas)

For Abbygale, the most difficult part of her cancer treatment was, “the radiation part. It was definitely the most difficult part of my treatment because apart from the side effects one felt after and during the radiation, at that time, the Covid vaccine wasn’t yet available. My husband and I  would go to the hospital 30 times a day, everyday.  And each time, I would pray so hard that my husband and I won’t bring the Covid back home to my children because that’s the last thing we needed — my children getting sick from a virus with no cure at that time. I can’t bear the thought of losing my children because of Covid. On top of these fears, the radiation literally zapped the life out of me; my energy was so depleted that it was even difficult for me to keep standing even for a mere 12-second elevator ride. Can you imagine experiencing all these fears, paranoia, and actual physical pain all at the same time on a daily basis?”

One just had to ask Abbygale what was her  biggest self-discovery or revelation after she was diagnosed? Abbygale responds, “There are only two things in life — essentials and non essentials. The essentials are our experiences, spending time with our loved ones while we still can; the non essentials are everything else that doesn’t really matter in life.”

What is the core message that you would like to provide to women out there? “Just recently, I went for my annual mammogram and I was surprised that I was the only one in the breast centre. I asked the technician why she’s not busy and she replied that apparently women are still scared to go to mammograms. That’s such a heart breaker for me because the best treatment is early detection. I cannot stress enough how important it is for women to have mammogram tests. It should be a part of your annual medical checkup. Get yourself tested — breast exams, cervical exams, stool exams, the whole thing. Life is a gift and if we truly love our loved ones, then, we should take care of ourselves and pay closer attention to our bodies!” Amen to that.

With her blessings from above. (Photo courtesy of Ms. Abbygale Arenas)

Abbygale reflects, “Cancer will always be a part of my life. There is no escaping it; my body aches all the time; I’m always in pain; all my visits to my doctors or every scan will always bring anxiety and doubts. But the fact that I’m still here alive and kicking, everyday is a constant reminder that being alive and being with my family are truly God’s blessings. I know for sure that I will never be my old self again;  my body reacts so differently to this new normal. There are plenty of bad and difficult days, but I prefer to only count and cherish the good days. Life after treatment for me is all about dealing with a lot of side effects. My body feels old but I remind myself that I just have to keep fighting; all my effort now is focused on making myself stronger — body, mind and spirit — I have to be stronger for my family.”

Moreover, Abbygale shares, “Cancer or none, we all have our own purpose — the earlier you realise that purpose, the more people you will be able to help. With cancer, my new purpose is to live my best life and tell everyone that God loves each and everyone of us. If we don’t give up on ourselves, God will not give up on us.”

This is what I learned from Abbygale’s cancer journey: Cancer is so limited…It cannot cripple love. It cannot shatter hope. It cannot corrode faith. It cannot eat away peace. It cannot destroy confidence. It cannot kill friendship. It cannot take your family away from you. It cannot shut out memories. It cannot silence courage. It cannot reduce eternal life. Above all, It cannot quench the Spirit.

While writing this article and going through Abbygale’s responses to my questions, I can’t help but shed tears. I cried because I felt her pain. I cried because no one should ever have to go through what she’s going through. I cried for her husband and two children. As a mother myself, I cried for her two sons. And yet, in my heart, I can’t help but hope and wish that one day soon, there will be a cure for the big C. Soon, no one would have to lose a loved one, a friend, a daughter, a brother, a son, a sister, a father or a mother. I’m not religious at all, but here’s hoping from my lips to God’s ears. Thus, I pray.