The heart of confidence

There are wondrous ways in which God meets our needs each day.  Even through the darkest moments of one’s sickness, or death of a loved one, He never fails to lighten heavy hearts with brightest springs of hope. The story of Mary Leonor Lorenzo Gopuco is one shining testimony of hope and purpose.

Born in sunny Cebu City to loving parents Apolonio Tan Gopuco Jr. and Valeria Lorenzo Gopuco, Leonor is the eldest of two children. This gentle lady grew up basking in the love of her family. She grew up in a family compound where they lived with their grandmother Leonor Tan Gopuco, her namesake and matriarch of the family. This gregarious woman loved to cook and prepare delicious merienda enjoyed by Leonor and her brood of cousins who lived alongside the compound. 

“I have always been a daddy’s girl. My father used to bring me to school and fetch me at the end of the day. He taught me to be independent and enterprising. He taught me the value of family. No matter how busy he was, he always made time for me. He was my role model,” she proudly beams.

She is thankful to her parents for giving her good education. She went to Saint Theresa’s College in Cebu from elementary to high school. She took up Business Management at UP Cebu. She then finished her MBA in Entrepreneurship (Middle Managers) at the Ateneo Graduate School of Business.

Armed with the love and confidence planted in her heart by her parents, Leonor, who had a thirst for travel and adventure, pursued her interests. Life was going smoothly until painful trials began.

Cancer experience

“I was 37 years old when I was diagnosed with stage 2B breast cancer in March 2007. I was in the middle of some turmoil in my life when it happened. I lost my father in 2006 to cancer of the mandible (a type of cancer under the head and neck that is hard to detect).  Being so close to him, it was a big blow to my life,” she says.

Upon receiving her diagnosis, Leonor found strength in God and did not waste time in planning the treatment she needed. She underwent six cycles of chemotherapy, mastectomy, 33 days of radiation and lost 20 pounds. She also wore a short wig to look normal wherever she went. 

“I am very grateful to the team of doctors who took care of me during that time: Dr. Dennis Damaso (my surgeon), Dr. Francis Lopez (my oncologist), Dr. Grace Luna-Cabrera (my OB-Gyne), Dr. Teresa Sy-Ortin (my radio-onco) and Dr. Gio Dimayuga (my dermatologist).

How she started Confianza

While Leonor was receiving treatment, an article about a company specializing in breast prostheses and mastectomy bra products came out in a broadsheet. She called the number and inquired. It wasn’t until almost a year after that she was able to visit the place in Fairview, Quezon City. The business was started by a fellow survivor. Her name is Fetty Commeyne and though she was a survivor for eight years, she suffered complications at a time when she was launching her business, which she aptly called Confianza (restored confidence).

“When I went to visit her husband Guido, I was so happy to see the products. It was not long before they asked me if I was willing to take on the business. It was their prayer that Fetty’s dream be continued,” she recalls.

“At first I was so scared to take on the business because I did not want to look back on those dark days of treatment. I was not sure if I would be strong enough to talk to other survivors about my own experience. But there was this inner voice egging me on, telling me that there are women I can help with these products,” Leonor says.

When Leonor finally agreed, she not only gained a meaningful business, she also gained Fetty and her family as the extension of her own. She felt so blessed. Soon after, she was introduced to Fetty’s peers and fellow survivors of the ICan Serve Foundation Inc. They gave her such an outpouring of support and this encouraged her to continue where Fetty left off. She also met the CEO of American Breast Care products, Jay Markowitz, who walked her through the details of the business. Leonor later went to their head office in Marietta, Georgia and gained a certification as a Mastectomy Fitter from the American Board of Certification.

“I moved Confianza to Makati (from Fairview), and I took on Fetty’s sister, Emy, to work with me and to help me talk to clients. We fixed up our shop, displaying stocks of the prostheses and mastectomy bras. Armed with our measuring tapes, we took calls and contacted former clients. We took turns in tending the store.”

During October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Leonor gets invited by major hospitals in Metro Manila to speak about her products and even share her experiences about breast cancer. In 2012, she was invited by the Cardinal Santos Medical Center to set up a store in its cancer center. This would become the first of its kind in the Philippines.

“We also began expanding our product line to other needs: wigs, mastectomy swimwear and swim forms, compression sleeves and socks, scarves and headwear. I see to it that the products we sell are quality products. We also sell them at popular prices,” she says.

“This year, we were invited by the Makati Medical Center to set up our display at its cancer center. The whole idea is to make patients aware that using these products help them with their confidence and can improve how they see themselves despite the surgery or the treatments they have gone through.”

This month a Confianza shop in Cebu City will be operational.

Bringing back the confidence

“Our products make women feel whole and beautiful again without having to undergo reconstructive surgery,” says Leonor. She adds that Confianza products have silicone breast prostheses where silicone gels can be formulated to imitate the softness and response of natural breast tissue. Also, silicone gel is nearly the same density as the natural breast. That means a breast form of the same size would be nearly the same weight as the remaining breast.

“Women are endowed with a pair of breasts and having one taken out by surgery creates an imbalance, which may affect the spine. Wearing the right prostheses will retain that balance and posture,” she says.

Leonor says that the prostheses will also come in different shapes depending on the depth of the surgical site, the size and shape of the remaining breast.

Leonor adds that the use of the right prostheses and mastectomy bras make dressing up in the morning very easy to do. You wear the bra with the prostheses comfortably tucked and hidden inside. The prostheses will move naturally with the body, with no fear of it falling off. The fit will also be consistent from day to day.

“Our products also help in the healing process. When you are confident with what you wear, you will have a more positive outlook and be more productive at work. You can concentrate on taking care of yourself and taking care of your loved ones,” she ends.

Today, Leonor is healed, happy and thankful.

(Would love to hear from you at miladayjewels@yahoo.com. For more information on Confianza Breast Care, call 0920-9813536 or 871-0883. You can also visit www.confianzabreastcare.com.)