MANILA – Former national women’s volleyball team head coach Roger Gorayeb successfully defeated cancer. He was diagnosed with multiple myeloma late last year.
After months of chemotherapy, he was recently declared cancer-free, according to the 60-year-old Gorayeb over at Women In Action Philippines of former volleyball player Gretchen Ho.
“Meron akong serum test about a month ago, lumabas na negative na ako sa lahat. Parang zero. Cancer-free na. Wala nang signs. Wala na akong lesions sa buto,” said the 22-time NCAA champion coach.
Gorayeb, currently coaching for PLDT Home Fibr and San Sebastian Golden Stags, admitted he underwent eight sessions of chemotherapy but his case had complications as besides having diabetes, his kidney was hit by cancer as well.
“’Yung doctor ang sabi niya sa akin, ‘Hindi namin akalain na mabubuhay ka pa coach kasi wala kaming nakita ‘yung pinagdaanan mo na nabuhay nang ganyan. Mag-ingat kang maigi,’” Gorayeb said.
“Sana wala na talaga kasi natatakot sila. Baka madapa ako, mabali buto ko,” he added. “Pero as of now, talagang wala na akong lesions sa bones. Ang binabantayan na lang sa akin creatinine, hemoglobin.”
Gorayeb, who also had three V-League championships tucked under his belt, will have another test on July 1 — the final session of his therapy. He hopes the result remains the same. He is raring to get back to volleyball.
“Siyempre, ‘yung doctor ayaw pa rin niya sobra maging confident. July 1 ang last session ko. A week after, magpapa-test ulit ako. ‘Pag nag-negative uli, maintenance na lang ako. Hopefully, ‘wag nang bumalilk,” Gorayeb said./PN
