An inspirational journey through cancer

It started when Jesally Rocamora felt discomfort when she put on her seatbelt before driving to work in March 2023.

After monitoring the painful lump for a couple of weeks, she mentioned it to her boss who immediately urged her to see a doctor to have it checked out. A month later, her doctor gave her the bad news: She had hormone receptor positive breast cancer, which ended up being categorised as stage 3 due to its size. With no prior history in her family of cancer and a healthy lifestyle, Rocamora was stunned to learn the prognosis.

“I cried when I heard,” she said. “When they asked me if I had any questions, I had only one: ‘What is my survival percentage rate?’”

She was relieved to learn that there was a 95% cure rate for this type of cancer with the proper treatment. That treatment was provided by the doctors and technology at Health City Cayman Islands.

Although she initially believed she would have to return to her home country of the Philippines, Rocamora’s employer, Captain Marvin’s Watersports, urged her to remain in Cayman due to the outstanding level of care available here and committed to helping her through her healing journey. She moved ahead with her treatments, undergoing eight chemo sessions in September, surgery in October and by 12 Dec. 2023, had started her radiation treatments.

Throughout all aspects of her illness, from losing her beautiful long hair to preparing for treatments, Rocamora brought a positive attitude and held fast to the notion that she could stand strong due to her faith that she was being helped by a force bigger than herself.

She also found the Health City team and treatments exemplary. Senior Consultant Radiation Oncologist Dr. Vikas Roshan, who heads up the Radiotherapy Centre, said, “I have always believed in treating my patients as I would my own family members. This ethos guided every decision and action throughout her treatment process. Providing a supportive and empathetic environment was paramount, ensuring that she felt cared for and understood at every stage. It is this compassionate approach that fosters trust and encourages patients to persevere through their treatments.”

Rocamora was so noticeably optimistic as a patient that the staff even asked her to talk with other patients who were in need of encouragement.

“Sometimes I would be speaking with them while still undergoing my own treatment," she said. "I would say since we already have it, we may as well deal with it positively. I am OK because I claim it – I always recite that I am fine.

“I believe that the spirit of the Lord is upon me. That God anointed me. I wanted to share that with others.”

She even took her first chemo treatment early to support a friend.

“She asked me if we could go together. I went with her just so she wasn’t afraid.”

In addition to her mindset, Rocamora experienced firsthand the power of technology for cancer treatments.

"Every patient is unique, and so too is their treatment plan," Dr. Roshan said. "For this patient, the radiation therapy was meticulously tailored to maximise its effectiveness while minimising discomfort. The goal was not only to treat the cancer but to offer hope and a tangible chance of cure. Through careful planning and execution, we aimed to support her body in its fight against the disease and to facilitate her recovery.”

It has been more than a year since Rocamora had her treatments, and although she is completing some final medications to ensure the cancer does not return, she is feeling well. She also remains grateful for the support from her “families” here in Cayman, including her doctors and health practitioners, employer (Captain Marvin’s), the Breast Cancer Foundation, The Cayman Islands Cancer Society, as well as the St. Ignatius church community.

The team at Health City have not forgotten her either. Dr. Roshan said, “Her story is an inspiration to all who face similar challenges. It underscores the importance of a resilient spirit, the power of compassionate care, and the wonders that can be achieved when patients and doctors work together towards a common goal.”

This article was first published in the February/March 2025 print edition of Camana Bay Times.