Silly Presumption

As i have shaved my head, i use scarves to cover my head when i am go out of the house. Of course i get alot of people starring at me and with some Indians knowing why i have shaved my head it being in conjunction with the Thaipusam celebration.

Last week a lady who who works in my office building asked whether i am going through chemo. I said no sharply and added on that i shaved my head because of Thaipusam and i am also a breast cancer survivor. Then she was surprised and said that one of a colleague told her that i am going through chemo. I told her if I was going through chemo, no way could i make the journey everyday from Klang to Kuala Lumpur. To that she agreed because she has several friends who had undergone chemo and knew that it would be difficult to come to work. I ended our conversation by saying that to think that everyone wearing a scarf because of their head is clean shaven is a "Silly presumption". She was apologetic after that for asking so and i just brushed her aside.

When i got back to my work station i though how sensitive i have become and took offence to people asking me whether i am going though chemo. Actually I cannot explain why i took offence to that statement.

So the next time i ask some one the same question i must be mindful of their reaction.

Shaved head

I conveyed my homage to Lord Murugan of Batu Caves for Thaipusam this year. The Thaipusam festival falls on 30^th Jan this year but I went to Batu Caves over the weekend.

As this is the 5^th year of surviving cancer, I shaved my head as a form of gratitude to the Lord. At the same time I carried paal kuddam or the milk pot on the 200 something steps to reach the hill top temple.

The barber at the shop at the bottom of the hill only took less than 5 minutes to shave by hair with a small blade. He did not leave any mark on my head at all. I then washed myself in the newly built toilet owned by the Barber’s Shop, changed myself into new clothes. I rubbed sandalwood paste on my head to have a cooling affect on my head.

I proceed to carry the milk pot up the steps and was surprised at myself that I did not stop much while climbing the steps panting as I usually do. Probably I am more fit now or just got the energy after shaving my head…ha..ha.

My aunt and uncle from Washington were there and so were my parents, brother and two little nephews. When an event like this takes place, it is a further blessing to have loved ones around you.

Am I brave to cut my shave my head? Yes I am because I did not have hair at all for some months when I was undergoing treatment so I do not feel uncomfortable at all. Some ladies who saw me at the temple smiled at me when they saw my head and I smiled back at them.

Outside home I am wearing scarves which I still kept from my treatment days. People may get uncomfortable seeing me without hair so I resorted to using a scarf. But of course even with a scarf people get confused whether I am an India or a Malay and then they see me using a pottu on the forehead. Some of my friends take some time to recognize me.

Hair will always grow. The most important thing in life is always to be grateful to Lord for all blessings HE has showered on us.

My little nephews, brother , parents, aunt and uncle.

I am carrying the milk pot climbing the steps accompanied by mother and aunt.

Happy Ponggal

Wishing all my Tamil blog visitors Happy Ponggal. Here is my greetings in Tamil.

"Tai piranthal..Vali pirakkum...Pirakkum intha tai maasam tanggal vaalvil yella selvanggalaiyum kondu selithu valara..Endone anbana Ponggal Nalvalthukkal"

2 weeks of the new years have passed ...wow! I must thank my friend Uma (my faithful visitor) who called me to say it is high time i posted and so here i am today.

My high blood pressure with the tablets is under control, looks like i have to be on them for the rest of my stay on planet earth..ha..ha. I am slowing accepting this fact and moving on,

Lately i seem to be mentioning this statement. " Do you love yourself?" Many of us go about our daily lives not loving ourselves but loving all and sundry out there.

It is really important to "love thyself first". I will continue with subject in the next posting hopefully by this week.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Over the weekend i followed my mother for her 6 months' once check up to UMSC and saw Prof Yip. While waiting an other cancer sat beside me. That morning i was in a chatty mood and so pick up a conversation with her. She in her mid 50 and is a 5 year breast cancer survivor, however after her third year she had leukemia. She told me how she had to go through the treatment and spend a long time in the hospital. She looked good to me but she said she still has some side effects of of the treatment for leukemia.

I asked her my famous question" How do you take life now?" She replied she takes one day at a time and does not really worry about the future. She enjoys and does what she can in a day. As a single woman, she thankful to her family.

When i was speaking to her as just truly admired her perseverance and energy to handle the treatment and move on.

Prof Yip said my mother is fine and asked how i was. I said i am fine except for the BP. As for my BP reading, well some days it is normal and some days slightly higher but everything is under control.

After such along time i followed my friends to their general hospital rounds as volunteers. It brought back memories as i had once followed them for almost 7 years visiting patients. At wards I saw two ladies, who had surgery for breast cancer and the other going through treatment. That day although i talked to them i did not share that i too am a cancer survivor.

Sometimes i feel like telling the whole world and sundry that i am a cancer survivor and other times i just do want to reveal anything.

Looking forward to the new year as i have a whole list of resolutions that i plan to write down.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all my blog visitors

Pathology.org

I received this mail recently and wanted to share it.

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Pathology.org

Master of ceremonies for annual convention

My blood pressure is now 130/90 and my doctor is happy with it. I am still on 100mg Normaten. I have also been taking some home remedy by juicing with cucumber, bitter gourd, celery and green apple. Well i have been taking things easy.

In the month of October, i was the emcee for my company's annual convention. There were about 1300 participants which was held at Pyramid Convention Center. I came down with a flu on the eve of the convention and it was full blown on that important day. I persevered although my voice lost its sharpness.

Here are some pictures taken on that day.

I am having fun too as the emcee.

I am busy announcing the speaker

I am discussing with the speaker on his introduction.

Lucky draw session at the end of the convention

Blood pressure

My blood pressure reading is 150/95. Although my doctor said that it has slightly improved but she has increased my the dose of the medication. I am to take to 100mg. She has asked to come back in another 2 weeks.

I have also purchased the blood pressure monitor from the Guardian Pharmacy as recommended by fellow blogger Dr Hasnah. I am monitoring the pressure at home, some days it is high and some days it is normal.

Anyway life goes on as i try to take things much easier now. I have started my walks and meditation more diligently.

Recently i met my friend Vanessa who has just finished her treatment for breast cancer and is back at work. We had a delicious lunch at the La Bodega at Bangsar. I snapped a photo and will post it later. It brought back memories when i listened to her experience.