Hoping for the best..

I was really excited to post my RAVE on the restaurant Al Dente. I even took pictures, even if they were amateur - I was proudly going to post them here. Unfortunately, I had some bad news given to me late yesterday afternoon. And so I have to postpone that post.

My good friend Cubie - who's based in Hong Kong - has stage 4 cancer. I was and still am in shock. When my brother called to give me the news - I was in shock. As soon as I put down on the phone - I cried so hard and immediately called Cubie. And within a few seconds - she indeed confirmed that she was diagnosed with Lymphomatoid Granulomatosis - and it was already in Stage 4 and that it has spread to her chest, her lungs especially. The news broke my heart in so many pieces. I couldn't stop crying - I was inconsolable. I couldn't believe that she has cancer - she just celebrated her 27th birthday last February 21, 2007. She's so young!!

What happened? With the few minutes we spent on the mobile - she was so calm in telling me what happend. We have been email-ing one another and she's been telling me that she has been feeling tired lately - we thought that it might be because of her being overworked. Then lately her face and neck were swollen - she went to 4 doctors and they just dismissed it as allergies. Then one morning - she couldn't open her eyes and she felt a lump in her neck - she was then admitted to the hospital. They did tests on her, she had an MRI, a CT Scan and a biospy - it was then confirmed that she has cancer. The cancer has spread to her lungs. She will undergo a full body scan today - to check where the cancer has spread. We're all praying and hoping for the best for her.

I cried when I called my mom to tell her the news - I was crying so hard, I can't believe this was happening - I was in denial - I am still in shock. My Panget was also in shock. Cubie's such a good friend of mine - we've been friends since Kindergarten - and it's so nice that through the years - we're still close. She moved to Hong Kong last 1999 - and when she moved there - we became more close. I would ALWAYS visit her when I was in Hong KOng, we'd always meet up tp shop or eat out - we spent time together. We kept in touch via email and chat. And whenever she comes to Manila - we'd always go out to dinner and go shopping - it's a must that we see one another. My mom would even cook dinner for her and we always had her favorite Mango Cream Pie from Red Ribbon. I would send her packages like her favorite Combos and other items when I have friends or aunts who go to HK. There was even a time she stayed at my house for a couple of days during her stays. What I will NEVER EVER FORGET is that - she won a trip for me to Hong KOng via Cathay PAcific. Yes, she did - she won me a ticket last 2002. Who would have thought she'd win that ticket? The odds were enourmous! Imagine - the whole of Hong Kong - and she won me one! Sweet huh?! Yes, of course! I stayed with her in her family's pad in Sha Tin for a week. We were so relaxed! We stayed up late just exchanging stories. We had so much fun! Although we had moments of silence - we enjoyed each others company. When we felt tired from walking - we'd go into a Pizza Hut and order soup. I think we did that more than 5 times!

I really can't believe this is happening. I am still in disbelief.

Please pray for her. It will surely help.