Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña yesterday underwent the first of the series of what he described as “the most aggressive chemotherapy” sessions after the tumor in his lymph node was diagnosed to be malignant.The chemotherapy procedure started with three hours of intravenous infusion of six bags of liquids at the MD Anderson (MDA) Cancer Center in Houston, Texas yesterday. But so far, Osmeña said in a text message to that he had not felt any side effects of the drugs. He also maintained his sense of humor when he said the intravenous drugs administered to him reminded him of “an old Frankenstein movie.” “Every 24 hours, I will undergo this three-hour infusion until the fourth day when they will let me rest for three weeks to recover then repeat the process,” he said. Before the start of the chemotherapy, the mayor’s wife, Margot, sent text messages to some Cebu City government officials and close friends, asking for prayers. “Tommy is having his first chemo treatment in a few hours. Please join us as we ask God to guide the people through whom His healing hands work. We also ask you to pray that we continue to hold tightly to God's hands as Tommy takes his initial step towards being cured. Your prayers keep us strong and determined. We are truly blessed,” Margot's text message read. Osmeña told in a text message that he would have to undergo the “most aggressive type of chemotherapy” after the MDA doctors found the tumor detected in his lymph node to be malignant. It meant that his cancer has spread. He said the chemotherapy would be done over the next five months before a surgery can even be considered. The MDA doctors earlier planned to conduct four cycles of chemotherapy to shrink the cancer found in his urinary bladder. About three weeks after chemotherapy, the doctors planned to take out the bladder, the prostrate and the tumor on the lymph node on the right side of his pelvis. Apparently, the “strategy” changed after the tumor was found to be malignant. But after his first cycle of chemotherapy, the mayor appeared to be in high spirits. “I told (Margot) to rest in the apartment last night because she needs it. Migs (son Miguel) arrives today for the weekend. Oh, 80 percent of the night staff are Pinoys (who are very attentive and helpful).” Osmeña said the doctors advised him to take a lot of “easy walks” because “good physical fitness is a plus factor in chemo.” But he said he shouldn’t also push himself to exhaustion that he could no longer get up the next day. “Chemo poisons the good cells and the bad cells hoping that the bad cells die first sana! That’s why if the good cells can take more of these dangerous chemicals, they will strengthen the dosage to what my body can take,” Osmeña said. This was the reason, he added, that the doctors constantly monitor his heart, kidney and other vital signs to test his limit. “To my MMT (Mayor’s Management Team) in City Hall, we have an expression for this: ‘It’s pushing the envelope.’ It’s like seeing how close you can drive to the edge of the cliff without falling over,” the mayor-on-leave said. “That’s why it’s called aggressive chemo. Look for the max dosage the patient can take. The first session is nothing but initial testing. Third and fourth sessions will be like a roller coaster. Wee!” He said he was “overwhelmed by the prayers” of the Cebu City residents and asked them to pray for him anew. “They pray for me. I pray for Cebu. Let's make a deal,” he said in reference to Cebu City residents. Osmeña first left for the United States on Oct. 8 to seek a second opinion and medical treatment after a tumor was found in his bladder. After the MDA doctors confirmed the cancer, the mayor flew back to Cebu on Nov. 5 to meet with his supporters and friends and to reassure investors especially to his centerpiece project — the South Road Properties. He also delivered an off-scheduled State of the City Address. Before returning to the United States last Nov. 9, the mayor said he was ready for the effects of the chemotherapy on his appearance. Osmeña said he was confident that he would be able to beat the cancer especially that MDA is considered the best cancer center in the world. His estranged cousin, former Sen. John Osmeña, said he wishes that his cousin would make a speedy recovery despite their differences. He said he learned of the mayor's ailment through the newspapers. He also acknowledged that whatever happens to the mayor would affect the political landscape in Cebu City since he is a dominant political figure. With a report from Correspondent Jhunnex Napallacan | 
