Chief Justice Demapan fights Big C

Chief Justice Miguel S. Demapan is fighting the Big C. But after successful two operations for colon cancer in Honolulu, he is now back here on Saipan—ready to work again.

“I’m doing fine now. I’m in excellent health right now,” the 54-year-old Demapan told Saipan Tribune on Thursday at the Judicial Complex in Susupe.

“I feel well…that’s the reason why I’m here. I just want to go back to work. I’m anxious to continue with what I’m doing here in the judiciary,” he said.

Colon cancer is the term commonly used to describe colo-rectal (or bowel) cancer. The colon is part of the intestines.

According to the Association for International Cancer Research, the risk of colon cancer appears to be linked to diet, although the evidence for which types of food are involved is not very clear.

The association stated that greater consumption of vegetables and fruits has also been shown to reduce the risk.

Demapan recalled that, after attending a conference of chief justices in the U.S. mainland last January and he was on his way back to Saipan, he stopped by Honolulu to see his doctor for a routine checkup.

The doctors found out that the chief justice had colon cancer and they recommended an immediate operation to remove the cancer.

“So that’s the start of everything. And after that they recommended that I do chemotherapy. The remainder of the year was spent doing chemotherapy in Hawaii,” he said.

The doctors told Demapan it was Stage 4 cancer and that it spread to his liver.

“So we had another surgeon that had to come in and remove that one part of my liver,” he explained.

After the surgeries, he said, the doctors recommended chemotherapy to make sure that everything is clear.

The colon surgery was done at Straub Hospital, while the liver surgery was at St. Francis Hospital.

Demapan said like anybody else or everyone that is told that they have cancer, he was really shock when the doctor informed him about it.

“ I don’t smoke. I’m not a drinker. I take care of myself very well. My nutrition is not really that bad. We’re just shocked. It’s a shock then you start thinking about what you have done what mistakes you have done in the past that created this thing,” he said.

“You know that’s probably part of life. You see people drinking everyday, smoking everyday and they’re very healthy. And you… I eat well, sleep early, and go work, I don’t drink, I don’t smoke and still I get cancer so it’s one of the ironies of life,” the chief justice pointed out.

He said every three months he is going back to Honolulu for checkup following the doctors’ recommendation.

Either in the last part of December or early part of January, Demapan will be leaving again to Honolulu for his next checkup.

While he was recuperating in Honolulu, it was still work for the chief justice. Using computer technology, he communicated with his staff and with the justices and judges on the island.

“Work continued on except when I’m in the hospital really sick and down from surgery. As soon as I felt well, I checked my e-mail, I checked my messages from the court here to keep up what is happening,” he said.

After the surgeries, Demapan said he is now watching his food and avoiding fatty foods.

He noted that the power of prayers is always there. He said he appreciates the messages and prayers from family members, colleagues, and friends who wished him good luck.

Demapan said he is also thankful that doctors found his condition at the critical time and immediately removed it because cancer multiplies fast.

Demapan underscored the need for people to undergo annual checkup especially once they reach 50 years old.

“If you reach 50 it is required that you do colonoscopy,” he said.

During the November 2005 general elections, CNMI residents voted for Demapan’s retention on the bench. The start of his new term as chief justice will be on July 16, 2007.

Demapan was appointed as associate justice in 1998. On July 16, 1999, he was elevated as chief justice. Before his appointment to the CNMI Supreme Court, he served six years as associate judge in the Superior Court.