A makeup artist from Valenzuela City had no choice but to stop accepting clients after he was diagnosed with cancer in 2023 after working in the industry for 13 years.
“Never naman ako na hospital before. Feeling ko po kasi 2022 pa lang dun na po nag-start ‘yung parang sakit ko. Ang dami ko na pong nararamdaman no’n. Bandang October [2022], medyo nag-iistart na po ‘yung ubo ko na hindi tumitigil,” 31-year-old Rowel Balili told The Philippine STAR.
Rowel said that his cough went back and forth and he did not think that it was something serious.
“Sabi ko, ‘Mawawala rin naman ‘yan.’ Habang tumatagal, palala lang nang palala ‘yung ubo ko. Nung nagpa-checkup ako sa doctor no’n, akala nila may TB [tuberculosis] ako,” he recalled.
He then sought professional help and underwent different tests to confirm what was wrong with his body.
“March [2023], dun na ako nagpa x-ray and may nakita na po na bukol. Nag-start na nawawalan na ako ng gana kumain. Nag-lose na ako ng weight. Tapos hinihingal na ako no’n, as in. Konting lakad lang, hapong-hapo na ko,” Rowel described his condition in 2023.
“Nakita ‘yung bukol dito sa may mediastinal. Nakapatong ‘yung bukol sa lungs at sa heart. Nung una sa CT-scan, nasa 16 cm na siya. Ang tina-target niya ‘yung lymphatic system. Na-confirm lang ‘yung primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma nung nagpa-biopsy na ako,” he added.
Recalling the moment when the doctor gave the final diagnosis, Rowel said that it felt unreal, and he was overwhelmed since it was his first time to be admitted in the hospital.
Noting, “Nung sinabi nila na cancerous daw ‘yung lymphoma, actually hindi pa naman nagsi-sink in sa’kin. Basta sabi nila, since hindi naman kumalat sa ibang part ‘yung cancer ko, baka nasa stage 1 lang. Pero ang problema lang sa bukol ko, masyado siyang aggressive. Sobrang bilis niya lumaki.”
In July 2023, he started his cancer treatments that tested him and his family.
“Nag-sink in lang ‘yung hirap ng cancer nung nagstart na akong mag-chemotherapy. Ang pinaka mahirap na naramdaman ko no’n, ‘yung complication. Dahil sa bukol, nagkaroon na rin ako ng tubig sa baga. Hindi siya pwedeng operahan or tanggalin kasi ‘yung bukol nakadikit siya sa mga ugat sa puso,” he explained.
There was also a time when Rowel thought he would give up in his battle against cancer due to physical pain.
“Nag 50-50 na ako sa hospital. Parang accepted ko na ‘yung magiging fate ko. Akala ko nga mamamatay na ko kasi nag-iyakan na sila mama,” he said.
After a series of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and oral medication, Rowel felt better. He then started accepting clients again to help sustain his needs.
“Medyo hirap pa ako, hirap pa ako humawak ng mga brush. Nanginginig pa ‘yung kamay ko tapos wala pa siyang lakas. Pero ayaw talaga ni mama na mag-work muna ako kasi binawal ng doktor, umiwas muna sa mga tao kasi masyadong mababa ‘yung white blood cell ko. Tatlong beses ako nag-makeup ng client. Actually, mga kamag-anak ko lang din ‘yun pero binigyan nila ko ng talent fee. Sobrang laking tulong no’n,” he noted.
Rowel is currently under surveillance and monitoring. With the long journey he’s taking on the way to recovery, Rowel has a message to fellow patients and their family.
“Lumaban lang po kayo. Huwag mawalan ng pag-asa. Kasi alam ko na sobrang hirap ng mga pinagdadaanan natin. Pero tayo rin kasi ‘yung makakatulong sa atin, sa katawan natin,” Rowel said.
To those who want to help Rowel, you may send your donations:
Rowel D. Balili
BPI Account: 0199249037
BDO: 011320099627
