remission – kyension.com

Talking Life with Mei Sze Facebook Live: Cancer and Fertility

Over the weekend, I mustered a lot of courage to do a Facebook Live chat with Mei Sze about cancer and fertility. It’s a difficult topic to talk about in public because infertility insecurity has been my biggest issue since my cancer diagnosis four years ago. At that point in time, I didn’t know if I wanted to have my own children yet but very quickly after learned that it’s one experience I’d be most curious about if I end up kicking the bucket at 25 from cancer.

COVID-19 Vs Cancer

While watching a COVID-19 press conference by the Prime Minister a few weeks back, he was describing the new way of life and I told RK, “new normal”. Minutes later, he used the word “new normal”. And I gasped. Then something clicked in my brain. This COVID-19 is sounding more like cancer, the more I think about it.

Note: I’m gonna be inserting satire cancer memes from @thecancerpatient.

Food I Avoid After Colon Cancer

This COVID-19 lockdown has forced me to cook at home more than ever. And unfortunately, I haven’t learn to embrace the joy of cooking yet. My bestfriend even asked me to watch Julie & Julia after hearing about my lack of enthusiasm for cooking. (Nice movie, btw!) But unlike Julia who learned to cook because she loved her husband and loved to eat, I don’t enjoy eating. LOL. I guess that’s one enlightenment I got from the movie. I don’t like cooking because I don’t like eating. Hahaha.

My First PET-CT Scan Experience at PPUM

I’ve never done a PET-CT scan before. It’s not part of the standard protocol for my case of Stage 3 Colon Cancer. However, during a routine CT scan earlier this year, doctors found increasing cysts in my liver and thus I got sent for PET-CT scan in PPUM.

For the record, the liver specialist and oncologist were not concerned about the cysts but I’m doing the scan anyway as precaution (like 7 months after).

Quarterly Chat with My Oncologist 23 Months Post Cancer Treatment

It’s time to meet my oncologist again! If I’m not mistaken, this was my second last quarterly visit. I’m gonna see him half yearly only after this…or maybe not since I’m still on a drug test program 🤔.

Anyway, let’s get the big news out first: blood test result was good. We spent 10 seconds talking about it.

4th Colonoscopy for Colon Cancer Surveillance at 27 Years Old

It’s been a year since my last colonoscopy and I think I’m becoming an expert! Spoiler alert: I thought my bowel prep was better this round and I completed another unsedated colonoscopy like a champ! Continue reading 4th Colonoscopy for Colon Cancer Surveillance at 27 Years Old

My First Non-Routine Post-Cancer Oncologist Consultation

About 6 weeks ago, I got downgraded from seeing my oncologist every 12 weeks to seeing him in 6 weeks because of my less-than-perfect CT Scan result. So the 6 weeks came and here’s the update.

I went to the hospital early for my appointment for the first time since Nov 2016! That’s simply because my appointment time got pushed back from the usual. But yeah, I was still early. Continue reading My First Non-Routine Post-Cancer Oncologist Consultation

What is World Reverse Cancer Day? #reverseforcancer

World Reverse Cancer Day. I seriously just did a Google search about it to write this post because I’ve heard about it way too many times in the past 2 weeks! I first saw it on Jinnyboy’s Instagram when he posted a #reverseforcancer video. Then I realized a couple other social media influencers released their own #reverseforcancer videos too. I then received an email at work, learning that this initiative is a brainchild of my colleagues for Cancer Research Malaysia! A couple of hours ago, I received an email from Nuffnang about #reverseforcancer.

Continue reading What is World Reverse Cancer Day? #reverseforcancer

CT Scan Jan 2018 – Doctor Words I Hate and Love Hearing

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

First Routine CT Scan Procedure at UMMC

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