Vicki Belo celebrates 7 years of being cancer-free: 'Every day feels like a blessing'
Vicki Belo looked back on her cancer journey as she expressed her gratitude for having been able to beat the disease seven years ago.
“I was never comfortable talking about my cancer but I’m feeling extremely #grateful this holiday season—here’s to 7 years being cancer free!” she wrote in an Instagram post on Thursday, Dec. 21.
The celebrity doctor opened up about her previous battle with breast cancer by sharing never-before-seen photos of herself taken during her treatment.
“I was looking through my phone and these pictures popped up today, and these are pictures I’ve never shared before because I never even knew I took pictures of me,” she began.
Belo shared that she was first diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in January 2016, which she described as a “very scary and difficult time” especially since the doctors could not give her an assurance of recovery.
“It is a very scary and difficult time for me because all the doctors wouldn’t give me any assurance that I will get well, they just said they would try their best,” she shared.
In the photos, she can be seen wearing a headwrap scarf, as well as bonding with her husband, Hayden Kho and their daughter, Scarlet, who was one year old at the time.
“I was so afraid she would grow up without a mother,” she opened up.
The 67-year-old doctor-entrepreneur shared that after undergoing six rounds of chemotherapy, she decided to go to Atlanta, Georgia to stay with her sister, Karen, and take radiation therapy.
She said it was also the year that her daughter, Cristalle, was scheduled to get married and recalled how she did everything to make it to the wedding, even if she knew the health risks that could come with it.
“Unfortunately, Cristalle was getting married on Sept. 16 and I wouldn’t be finishing my radiation,” she said. “The only way I could do that [attend the wedding] is to do double radiation every day, for like two weeks to make it, and so I felt really sick.”
She then shared snaps of herself at the wedding wearing a wig, recalling how it made her “look terrible.”
“I remember people were bashing me, my dress was ugly [and] I look bad, I guess they didn’t know what I was going through,” she said.
Belo opened up about her desire to inspire others who are currently battling the same disease as she marked her seventh year of being cancer-free.
“And all I have to tell you is all you have to do really is pray because our Jesus Christ with the big “C” is much bigger than the cancer with small 'c,'” she said.
“Thank you, God for allowing me to see [Scarlet Belo] grow up and giving my grandkids their mamita,” she continued in the caption. “Every day feels like a blessing.”
Fans and celebrities, including Catriona Gray, Hayden Kho, and Tim Yap, sent their messages of love and support to Belo in the comments section of her post.
“I got teary eyed watching your testimony. You truly are an inspiration. Thank God for your life. Stay beautiful and healthy my dearest ninang, [Vicki Belo],” journalist Mariz Umali wrote.
“Such an incredible testimony! Thank you for sharing. God bless you for using your time on this earth being such a blessing to so many!” Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray commented.
Her husband, Hayden Kho, also wrote: “One thing I’ll always remember: In the midst of your battle, you were still there for everyone else, always helping friends and family.”
“You braved unkind words and abandonment of friends who weren't kind and failed to understand what you were going through. Now look at you—stronger than ever and full of faith. You’re amazing, my love. I’m so proud of you,” he added.
Belo first opened up about her breast cancer journey in 2022 during her interview with Korina Sanchez. "I went to Europe for treatment so I kind of disappeared for a year and a half to two years," Belo said at the time. "I was told I was going to die. 'Don't bother to have chemo, just fix your affairs, you're dead in two years.'"
"Wala talagang perfect na buhay. Lagi niyong hanapin yung ganda sa buhay niyo. Health is wealth, so now that’s really my thing,” she continued.