Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago announced that she has stage 4 lung cancer during the July 2, 2014 press conference at Sumulong Room, Senate Building. Watch the details of the announcement in the video.
Despite that she would announce to the press her health condition, Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago remains her cool and still manage to throw some jokes to the audience. She told that she had come to the press conference so the people would see her prior to the treatment process of her ailment.
“I don’t know the reactions of my enemies are, maybe they’ll be happy because on one hand, I might die. And then, they could rid of me.”
“But on the other hand, I might survive and then I will get rid of them.” The senator said.
During the press release, Senator Miriam shared the good news that the cells in her left lung have developed a genetic mutation (behavioral mutancy) that makes them impermeable to cancer. She assumes that it developed due to a healthy lifestyle.
“I don’t smoke, I don’t drink, I don’t commit adultery, I only tells lies to my husband” the senator added.
Her cancer did not metastasize but it is in stage 4. The doctors don’t have any clue, however, how it occurs because she and her husband do not smoke.
Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago will be taking a chemotherapy tablet called molecular targeting (once a day) which gives the benefits of chemotherapy without the side effects. It is expected to destroy cancer cells in her left lung within six months time. But if the medication won’t work as it is supposed to, she has to go to Cedars-Sinai hospital (if I spell it right) in Los Angeles California in the US.
Miriam Defensor Santiago was excited to know that she has cancer. She explains that it is because she’s about to enter another dimension in her life.
Watch the Video of her press release below:
Her physician does not advise her anything because she won’t do it anyway. While taking the tablet she can still do her job.
As of the moment, the Senator didn’t announce her political plans yet because she doesn’t know what will be the outcome of the treatment.
Let’s just hope that the body of Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago will respond to Lung Cancer treatment.
Update: The Great Senator and Iron Lady of Asia passes away on September 29, 2016 (Thursday), while she was in her sleep at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig City. She was 71 years old.
