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The man who was never afraid, not even of cancer

Manuel Vega entered his doctors office one seemingly normal day for an answer to his
terrible cough, but instead left with a life forever changed.
Kidney cancer was the answer. The X-ray practically screamed the answer as it revealed
the large tumor on his kidney. Later, a CT scan would find the cancer in his lungs mestastized.
OK, Manuel said calmly. Whats the next step?
His coughing symptoms began in December 2009, after he walked around the yard and
felt like a muscle pulled in his back, where his lungs were. Doctors originally treated the
symptoms for bronchitis. However, it wasnt until January 2010 when Manuel was diagnosed
with life threatening cancer.
Before the diagnosis, Manuel had just been a man from the Dominican Republic who had
moved to the U.S. when he was 10 years old. He had a wife, and one daughter from a previous
marriage. His friends described him as a man full of life the man who always threw parties,
gave his guests the best champagne and loved to try anything and everything he saw.

The Survivor
What you need to know about Manuel is that he is a survivor, Yuly Vega, his wife,
said.
When Hurricane Agnes hit the U.S. in 1972, Maryland was one of the areas severely
affected. At this time, Manuel returned home from his job at the paper mill in Ellicott City, when
suddenly his entire car submerged underwater from flooding.
He kicked open that door, Yuly said, smiling. He knew those roads so well that he
knew to grab on to the rope fence alongside the road. He climbed his way all the way up to the
surface.
The car was never recovered, but his life was spared.
A few years later, Manuel was working in Florida as a technical electrician. He was
scaffolding a building when the structure beneath his feet collapsed, and he fell five stories. His
life was spared again, again, but this time with a broken shoulder and leg.
Once, when we were dating, Manuel had been working for 24 hours straight at Amtrak
as a technician, Yuly said. He fell asleep while driving on his way back home. The car was
destroyed, but he walked away with just a messed up neck.
There have been many close calls, close calls, according to his wife. Yet none of those
instances could compare to the biggest fight of his life at the age of 58.

The Fighter
According to the National Cancer Institute, when patients learn of their cancer diagnosis,
the emotions they experience may include any of the following: anger, fear, stress, anxiety,
depression, guilt and loneliness.


He has never been afraid of death and has always been positive, Yuly said. Yet, there
was only one night I was afraid he was going to take his life. He was so upset, saying Im going
to put an end to all this, but he calmed down.
His oncologist, Dr. Carole Miller, director of the Cancer Institute at Saint Agnes hospital,
said Manuel was always smiling and joking, until the very end.
Manuel was very positive and wanted to be treated, Miller said. He was very involved
with his patient case. Some people dont want details and say, Do what you want, doc. It
amazes me how most people deal with it considering how difficult it is.
After his diagnosis, Manuel began a newer form of treatment, known as oral
chemotherapy. As described by the American Cancer Society, oral chemotherapy is not put into
the body through a needle, but instead is taken in a pill form that is swallowed.
Many side effects may occur from oral chemotherapy, but it can vary from: nausea,
vomiting, diarrhea, hair loss, mouth sores, skin changes and low blood counts.
He put up with a lot of suffering, Yuly said. He was always uncomfortable, but he
always managed. He learned, and he never panicked with anything.
Three years have passed since his diagnosis in 2010, but for the last three weeks, Manuel
has been on bed rest for the first time. Beginning in November 2013, normal daily activities like
walking and breathing became too difficult to do alone.
I speak like texting, because I dont want to use all my words, Manuel said. It takes a
lot of me.
According to Miller, there are warning signs as people enter the last stages of their life
and accept death. These signs may include: withdrawal from the outside world, hallucinations,
loss of appetite, restlessness, congestion and change in body temperature.
The night before, he experienced a coughing attack from 6-11 p.m., keeping the whole
house up worrying. As Yuly sits on the bed next to Manuel, the room is kept cold, but she still
wafts her husband with a small Japanese hand fan since he constantly feels too hot. He refuses to
eat and prefers the room dark now.
How much did you pay for the cow? Manuel said repeatedly throughout the night.
Yuly knew this was the morphine speaking, not her husband, yet she still answered.
Fifty, Yuly said nonchalantly.
Manuel nodded approvingly.
Since the beginning of his treatment, his body underwent dramatic changes. When he
first began his treatment in January 2010, Manuel weighed about 160 pounds. Now in November
2013, he is less than 100 pounds.
Manuel was always trying to move on to the next step, Miller said. He was always
asking me, When can we take the other kidney out? I would have to keep telling him, No, we
cant, its too risky.
Doctors removed one of his kidneys due to the large tumor on it, but they could not
remove the other one because his lungs were also failing.


I dont how to explain what its like [to have cancer], Manuel said. [There are] good
days and bad days.
When asked what scared him the most about battling cancer, he waited until his wife left
the room before answering.
Whats going to happen to Yuly? Manuel said.

The Lover
Yuly and Manuel met at a club in 1982. Despite being sick, she reluctantly agreed to join
her friends. While sipping on her glass of rum and 7 UP, she spotted him across the room.
I was very brave and asked him to dance, Yuly said. He looked at me and answered,
No, I dont like this music.
Insulted, she turned back to her friends and began to complain loudly in Spanish, thinking
he would not understand. When the next love song came on a few minutes later, someone tapped
her on the shoulder.
Would you like to dance? Manuel asked in Spanish.
Ever since that night, the couple has been together. In fact, Manuel has been far from
alone throughout his battle with cancer. His sister came from Italy to stay in their house and help
take care of him. In their house in Catonsville, Md., the phone is constantly ringing with friends
checking in and scheduling visits.
What gives me strength? Yuly said. I think its love. Pure love. I would be lying if I
said only God, but my strength comes out of him. Maybe thats wrong, but I dont think it is.
He has been a human being that taught me so many wonderful things: how to love, to forgive
and to always be a helping hand. Now I must apply it, but I still have a lot to learn.
Cancer should never be faced alone, Miller explains. Many people though, often older,
dont want to bother their families.
If you can get your loved ones around, then you can do anything, Yuly said. If you
have people with you, just the fact you have someone who loves you makes a difference.
Manuel never had this problem.
His wife and daughter were a great family advocate, Miller said. I tell people to take it
one step at a time. They feel better once they get a plan and follow it.
For Manuel, a cure was never an option. He could only fight with mortality for more days
to spend with his family. After his diagnosis, he managed to win three more years of a quality
life surrounded by loved ones.
If I die, I have done everything, Manuel said.
On Nov. 26, 2013, Manuel took his final breath at noon, just three days after his
interview. He chose to donate his body to the John Hopkins School of Medicine to benefit
scientific research.
To honor his spirit, Yuly will throw a huge party for his next birthday, where he would
have turned 62 years old, because that is what Manuel would have wanted. Rather than
mourning, it will be a celebration of his life with wine, music and most importantly love.