Words. Are powerful. Even more powerful in the circumstances I faced in the past week are words from doctors.
So I went for my first CT scan in two years (since cancer diagnosis and treatment). And even though the result was ready almost immediately after the scan, I could only get it from my oncologist during my appointment scheduled about a month after.
Continue reading CT Scan Jan 2018 – Doctor Words I Hate and Love Hearing
Two years ago, my gastroenterologist (gastrointestinal specialist) ordered a CT scan after he did a colonoscopy on me. I was still drowsy from the anesthesia when I agreed to it so I didn’t remember much. This time, I was fully conscious.
A CT scan is basically multiple x-ray combined into one by computer so that the doctor can see cross-sectional. The doctor also inserts dye (called contrast) into the body so that the scan images are easier to see.
It is amazing because it was with CT scan that doctor determined the size and location of my cancerous tumor to decide on the surgical procedure. CT scan also helped determine if there’s anywhere else that they have to operate in case the cancer has spread.
One surgery, twelve cycles of chemotherapy and two years later, I was due for a routine CT scan. I’m guessing it’s called a “routine” scan because there’s nothing wrong and they just want to monitor and make sure. Continue reading First Routine CT Scan Procedure at UMMC
My mom asked me if I’m on any medication since I completed my treatment (surgery and chemotherapy) for Stage 3 Colon Cancer more than a year ago. She wanted to validate that I’m not on any medication because her breast cancer survivor friend who is on medication was surprised to learn that I’m not.
I get this question a lot.
Pretty much every person who learns about my cancer and chats with me about it asks me if I’m on medication.
Continue reading [FAQ] Am I On Medication After Surviving Colon Cancer?
Recently, I attended a talk organized by The Laureate Signature, a wellness center that offers genetic profiling test, among other things. Mei Sze talked at the event as a special guest. She spoke about her cancer story, from pre-diagnosis to treatment and new norm after cancer.
Frankly, that was my first time hearing her talk about her cancer story in person after meeting her for 1.5 years now. I have to say that the sharing was heartfelt. Ah the clingy Big-C that stays on your mind all day even after it leaves your body. So much feels. Continue reading #sharestrength at The Laureate Signature’s Genetic and Cancer Event
As noted in my previous post, Humans of Kuala Lumpur interviewed me for my cancer story to be published on their Facebook page.
Here’s the post…
Continue reading #sharestrength Cancer Stories on Humans of Kuala Lumpur Facebook
The Big-C pretty much never left my mind since 20 Jan 2016. But this past 2 weeks, it was especially hard to take it off my mind because…
Continue reading 5th Quarterly Follow Up Consultation with Oncologist
Milestone posts prove to be hard to write. I’ve never written any during my first anniversary of cancer diagnosis, my first anniversary of completing surgery, my first anniversary of starting chemotherapy and I’m a week after my first anniversary of completing cancer treatment.
It’s hard to write because these milestones are significant in its own way. They each represent a very distinctive life-changing event — super emotional ones in vastly different ways.
Here’s what each of them meant to me… Continue reading 1 Year After Completing Cancer Treatment – First Anniversary Reflections
I wondered why Relay for Life has to start at 6pm until 10am the next day. I think I understood over the weekend as I joined my first Relay for Life Malaysia as a young cancer survivor, a week before my 1st year anniversary since completing cancer treatment…
The anticipation for Relay for Life started to build up about 3 weeks before the event as 4 other young cancer survivors and myself gathered for our dance practice. We volunteered to represent the young cancer survivors for a dance performance. Continue reading My First Relay for Life Malaysia
If I can only choose to recommend one thing to fellow new cancer patients who approach me for wellness advice, it would be to practise qi gong. This coming from a mid-20 city girl says quite a lot, doesn’t it?
When I first heard about doing qi gong every day at dawn from a TMC practitioner to complement my conventional cancer treatment, I was skeptical. Skeptical because qi gong sounded mythical — like something done by people who have reached nirvana or sort. Skeptical also because qi gong sounded old — indeed, the qi gong center I went were mostly people above 50. Moreover, who starts exercising in the stadium at 5.45am every day?!
I went anyway for my first class upon his recommendation. After all, when I first started, I was on a 6-week medical leave and I wasn’t sleeping well. Might as well check out this qi gong thing.
Continue reading Qi Gong for Cancer Patients in Klang ValleyI’m glad I wrote about how I felt 3 months ago when I went for my 2nd quarterly blood test post cancer treatment. Because I feel very different this time round.
I was excited to be back in the hospital for the check up. So excited that when an apologetic colleague called me when I was at the hospital, she commented that I sounded too upbeat for a person visiting a hospital. Continue reading A Day at Hospital for Follow Up Consultation with Oncologist
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