Manuel Daza Unveils His “Journey of Evasion” Amidst Cancer Treatment in His Book ‘Se me olvó’

Manuel Daza, while undergoing his gruelling cancer treatment, has launched a book titled ‘Se me ovidó’ in Toledo. This book, he describes, is a “journey of evasion” that became his sanctuary and assisted him in accepting his condition and the challenges that accompany it.

The book, consisting of a concise eight chapters, was presented in the regional capital with the intention of prompting reflection in its readers. Additionally, the book was birthed with an altruistic goal in mind, with all proceeds being directed towards the Spanish Association Against Cancer to aid in further research into the disease.

According to Daza, ‘Se me olvó’ was initially written without any intentions of publication – it was intended to be a personal refuge amidst his harsh treatment. “Every word and every page that I have written has been like a journey of escape. This book was that place where I could find solace and unload the emotional burden that was gradually piling up within me,” he elaborates.

He further asserts that dealing with a disease as critical as cancer forces one into a “dead end,” making it necessary to escape. This escape, he says, was found in his book, which continues to be his silent companion in his journey. He believes that it becomes a necessity to verbalize the problem without alarming those around you, and his book became the medium to do so.

Throughout the pages of ‘Se me olvó,’ Daza confesses he has laid bare his emotions and experiences, a task he admits was not easy. Initially, he had chosen to conceal his illness. “Even after a year and five months, I find it challenging to even utter the word cancer. When asked about my condition, I never mention cancer. Instead, I refer to it as a lump, a tumor, or the chemotherapy. I feel that naming it somehow makes it seem more severe,” he explains.

Daza believes that society is accustomed to living on autopilot. When an event like cancer occurs, it “turns off the autopilot switch,” leaving one at a loss for how to continue living. This, he says, is where his personal struggle lies. In his case, he resisted unsubscribing for several months. “It’s not always about overcoming or striving to reach the goal. There is also a need to accept and embrace the reality of your situation,” he emphasizes.

According to Daza, this disease has taught him to live again, to ground himself, and to turn off the autopilot switch. He has learned to continue living without his autopilot, a switch that life had turned off for him.

THE IMPORTANCE OF “HUMAN SCAFFOLDING”

Daza emphasizes the significance of his “human scaffolding” – the people who have stood by his side and encouraged him to send his book to publishers. “When the publisher called me, I was in disbelief. This phone call shifted the direction of my writing journey. What was initially an escape through writing stories and thoughts had taken the form of a book – a project I hadn’t considered before,” he shares.

Upon confirmation of the book’s publication, Daza wished to contribute to the AECC. “I have been extremely fortunate to have the support of my family, my students, and my friends – they are the scaffolding that has kept me standing,” he states. He believes that not everyone has access to such support, and it is in these situations that the AECC’s work becomes invaluable, providing its own scaffolding for each patient.

“There exists a multitude of different possibilities and people, each with their own circumstances. This realization led me to contribute my bit to the AECC, to the important work it does in research,” he emphasizes.

“A PRECIOUS HELP TOOL”

Fernando Jou, the president of the AECC in the province of Toledo, highlighted during the book presentation that ‘Se me olvó’ is an invaluable tool for anyone struggling through a difficult time. Jou mentioned that when he began reading the book, he started underlining the parts he found significant. “The entire book is underlined as every part is important. It serves as an essential tool for navigating through difficult situations, not just cancer but any adverse circumstance in life,” he asserts.

Jou emphasizes that this book is not like any other self-help book. “It provides self-help when read, but it also extends help to many others through the donation made to the AECC – an association that allocates 80% of its funds towards research.

Finally, Marisol Illescas, the Councilor for Social Affairs, Inclusion, Family and Seniors, opines that a tool like this book provides a different perspective on issues. “Daza has created a book with accessible language, allowing anyone to find useful teachings within its pages. It is a book filled with emotions,” she states.

She goes on to assert, “This book comes from the soul, from someone’s experiences. It carries an added value.”