Laban sa Buhay: Isang Kuwento ng Pananampalataya, Pamilya, at Katatagan

by: Mary Ann Lopez

A heartfelt story of resilience, faith, and motherhood—how one woman overcame challenges, pursued her nursing dream, and faced life-threatening illness with courage and hope.

A Dramatic Beginning

This is actually quite a long story… and honestly, it started a bit like a drama 😅

I came to the UK in 2002, originally to “run away” from someone… and the situation that came with it. Parang artista lang—feeling main character pala! 😄 At the time, it was meant to be temporary—just a few years, earn money, then go back home. But as we all know, God has His own plans… and clearly, His plan was much better than mine.

Back in the Philippines, I had a degree in Psychology but ended up working as a sportswriter. So nursing? Not even on my radar.

First Steps in the UK

That first year in the UK was both the most challenging and the most life-changing—because it was also the year I became a mother. My eldest was my turning point. Suddenly, life became serious.

When I arrived, I took whatever job I could find. I started as a cleaner and laundry staff in care homes before becoming a healthcare assistant. Back then, before kids (well… before more kids 😄), work was life. I moved from one care home to another, learning as much as I could.

Eventually, I found a very supportive employer who helped me grow into a Senior Carer and even supported my training, including a Registered Manager’s Award in elderly care.

Joining the NHS

Like everyone else, I started looking for “greener pastures,” so I joined the NHS. There, I met incredible nurses who became my mentors and inspiration. Funny enough though, I still didn’t want to become a nurse—I was quite happy being an HCA. Others saw potential… I saw more responsibility (which I was happily avoiding at the time 😅).

After a while, I left my permanent NHS role and went back to being a Senior Carer, while still doing bank shifts. During this time, my sister kept encouraging me to go to university and study nursing. I was hesitant—I had been out of school for over 10 years! But eventually, I had to ask myself: Do I stay where I am forever, or do I try to grow?

So I tried.

Nursing School: Trials and Triumphs

In 2010, I applied for nursing school… and completely failed 😅 Not the exams—the interview. Apparently, my face did not match what I was saying. Let’s just say I didn’t look sincere enough. (And the question? “How would you tell your neighbour you lost her cat?”—honestly, I was not emotionally prepared for that level of responsibility 😄)

But as they say—try and try until you succeed.

I applied again in 2012… and this time, I got into Kingston University. Then life added another twist—two weeks before university started, I found out I was pregnant with my youngest 😅

Did that stop me? Of course not. I proudly went to university with my bump. My lecturers were concerned and suggested I defer, but I told them, “If I defer now, I might never come back.”

I made a plan. I worked around my schedule, spoke with my professors, and even coordinated with my obstetrician for a C-section—based on my university timetable! 😄 My classmates and lecturers thought I was either very determined… or slightly crazy. Probably both.

Yes—I went back to university just 5 days after my C-section. Looking back now, even I think… what was I thinking?! 😅 But I did it.

I graduated in 2015, and since then, I’ve worked as an A&E nurse. I’ve always loved the fast pace and adrenaline of the Emergency Department—it suits my personality perfectly.

Career Growth and Leadership

I’ve been fortunate to have leaders who recognised my hard work and potential. About a year and a half after qualifying, I became a Band 6, then a Band 7 after two years. What I love most about progressing is being able to help others grow too—to support and guide future leaders.

After nearly four years as a Band 7 in ED, I started to feel like… my body was reminding me of my age 😄 So I moved into a role as an Advanced Site Practitioner. It’s more operational, but it still keeps me close to nursing—which I love. I still enjoy sitting with my patients, especially my “old grannies,” and at the same time, I get to support and guide junior nurses through challenging situations. And most importantly… it still lets me keep one foot (and my nose 😄) in A&E.

Motherhood: Strength and Purpose

Becoming a Mother

I became a first-time mother at a very unexpected time. Looking back, I still surprise myself at how I managed to embrace it. And just to be clear—I am far from perfect… actually, very far from the “ideal mum” 😅

But I think when you become a mother, everything changes. Your perspective in life shifts—suddenly, it’s not just about you anymore. Each of my children came with their own story and their own challenges.

With my eldest, my biggest struggle was becoming a single parent. Back home, that wasn’t easy—you get judged, especially coming from a family that was very active in church. But I thank God for my parents and my whole family—they stood by me and supported me through it all.

When I found out I was pregnant, I told my family straight away—and I also told them I wasn’t getting married. I wasn’t ready to be a mum—financially, emotionally, or mentally. But I was willing to work on myself and become ready. And thankfully, my family helped me do that. My sister even helped me remove myself from a toxic environment… that’s when I left the Philippines and came to the UK—parang artista, dramatic exit talaga 😅

My eldest didn’t come at the wrong time. He came at the right time. He changed my life, my perspective, and opened doors I never expected. I met my husband—now 20 years married—when my eldest was four. And I always jokingly told my husband, “I can find another husband, but not another son… so behave!” 😄

My daughter gave me brute strength. Being married to someone from a different background comes with challenges—religion, beliefs, culture… lots of adjustments. And truthfully, our first 10 years of marriage were very tumultuous. Plates and chairs were literally flying around the house 😅

But somehow, my children saw not just chaos—but their mum standing her ground, protecting them, and refusing to be silenced. I showed them that a woman can stand on her own. That men and women are equal.

My youngest was our pleasant surprise—the one who brings lightness into everything. He keeps me grounded and reminds me that even when life feels heavy, sometimes it’s not as bad as it seems—if you choose to see it simply.

At the end of the day, my children and my family are my purpose. They are the reason I keep going, keep fighting, and keep becoming a better version of myself—even if I’m still a work in progress.

The Challenge: Facing Cancer

Being a healthcare professional is both a blessing and a curse. Weeks before the official diagnosis, I already had a feeling it might be cancer. But honestly, no amount of experience or “clinical knowledge” can truly prepare you for hearing the words, “It is cancer.”

Still, having been a senior nurse, I put on that “I’ve got this” face. In front of my husband and the clinical nurse specialist, I calmly said, “It is what it is.” Very composed… very professional… award-winning performance, really 😅

But the moment I went to the toilet—that was different. I couldn’t stop the tears. I cried, I wailed, and at that point, I honestly didn’t care who could hear me. Then, like most nurses do, I pulled myself together, wiped my tears, walked out—and was met with a big hug from my husband. Somehow, in that moment, it felt like I could breathe again.

I called my sister—we’re very close, we share everything. She asked me what I wanted to do next. I said I was going to the temple nearby—I just needed to pray, to talk to God, to make sense of everything.

The following day, we went to church. After mass, I asked the priest if I could go to confession… which turned into a bit of a confession slash counselling session. I cried again—probably enough to last me a lifetime—but I also found comfort. The priest said:

“Even after receiving such devastating news, instead of turning away from God, I chose to come back to Him”—and that, in itself, is a blessing.

I documented this part of my journey in my book: “Saving Others is Fun, but Saving Yourself is Mandatory.”

Strength and Faith

What helped me stay positive? Acceptance and my continued faith in God. I pray, I reflect, and I trust in His plan. I’ve been blessed with answers—smooth recovery, negative lymph node results, and strength to accept the things I cannot control.

Cancer is cancer—I can’t change that. But I am alive, and I believe I will be here for a long time. For that, I am truly thankful. I may have cancer, but it does not define me.

Achievements

Personal: Raising my three beautiful children. Seeing them grow into kind, respectful, and loving individuals is my greatest achievement.

Nursing Career: Inspiring others—to step up, to lead, and to believe in themselves. If I’ve helped even a few people realize their potential, that’s a success.

Words of Inspiration

“When it comes to your own diagnosis, you get to be human first and clinician second. Vent. Hide under the blanket. Scream, shout or cry loudly if you need to. You are allowed to feel all the feelings there is—just like everyone else in the world. Your emotions are real, valid, and deserving of attention.”

“This survival journey is not a solo mission. Ask for help. Accept the help with open hands and open heart, even if it’s as simple as someone praying extra hard for you.”

“Allow joy to exist alongside fear. Trust the process, trust God.”

Forever Blessed

“What does ‘Forever Blessed’ mean to me today? It means I’ve been given so many blessings—amazing people, opportunities, and just enough strength to handle whatever life decides to throw at me (sometimes all at once 😄). So my job? Count those blessings and thank the Lord… because I wouldn’t survive half of this without Him!”

A Message to Filipino Nurses

To my fellow Filipino nurses—whatever you’re doing or planning, let it be guided by faith. With God, you can never go wrong. Trust the process. Be proud of yourselves. And please, love yourself first—yes, even before your shift, your paperwork, and your coffee.