Friday, June 29, 2007

Changes in my right Breast.

I had my mammogram done this morning. I thought as usual it was going to be a breeze through but was I in for a rude shock. While I was waiting for the mammogram results, the young radiologist assistance came and said they have to do ultrasound examination. When I heard that my heart was really beating fast and the first thing that came to my mind was, “Oh No! Something is wrong!”

There were several radiologists (properly assistances or trainees) in the room and one of them told me that because of my history they felt the need to have the ultrasound examination done. They keep probing my breast with the transducer for almost 20 minutes and there were 3 doctors doing the examination. I was really praying hard everything would be okay. Finally the head radiologist explained that they found changes in my breast on this mammogram compared to the one done last year. It fact they found more cysts and calcification (deposit of calcium in the tissues). She asked several question including when I had my last menstrual and when was gyne visit. I told I have not had my periods for 2 months now and my gyne visit is due next week. She wanted me to do another mammogram on a certain spot on the top of the breast just to be sure nothing abnormal is there and to have a follow up in 6 months’ time.

Then I went back again to next room to have another mammogram done. After that the radiologist told me to come back in 6 months time. During this time, it struck my mind may be I was eating too much of food with calcium content and I must be more careful of my diet. Well, from the hospital I got back to work as I only had taken time off and after doing a search on the internet…it states that calcium in the diet does not create calcium deposit in the breast. I spoke to a fellow survivor for support and then carried on with work.

Earlier on the morning episode had left me quite shaken and upset. Now, I have calmed myself down … well…what has to happen will happen…just enjoy life and pray.

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Half Year Clean Up


I was down with fever 2 weeks ago. In fact during that time most of my family members were having flu or fever. The whole house was a “sickly” zone! I had the fever for 4 days and I did a blood test for dengue. Well lucky after the blood test, the fever suddenly disappeared and the results showed it was not dengue. After that episode, I am struck with a bad chest cough. Although it is much better now, but I am still coughing off and on. Since this is June, I joked to my friends that is the half year clean up of the body system….ha!....ha!

So really I have not been in the best of moods lately. I have not been going for my tai chi exercise for the past 2 weeks nor have I done any other form of exercise. I feel like a couch potato. I even missed my toastmasters meeting last week.

Early this week a friend of mine whose is a fellow breast cancer survivor called to have a chat. She too has not been well, with a constant blister on her tongue. The doctors that she saw told her not to worry however recommended her to do a biopsy. She is so afraid of doing one…I can understand the feeling. It was both of us pouring out our fears and worries about this and that. Even the smallest health conditions will create a fear in us.

In the midst of swallowing antibiotics, I ever forgot to take my tamaxifon. Funny really…I have been taken it for more than a year now every day, and there are times I forget to take it. Then I worry if missing to take the tablet will bring about other problems.

Well…worry or fear…life goes on!

Thursday, June 07, 2007

Relay for Life KL 2007

It was an awesome event during the weekend. My parents, a friend and I were at Bukit Jalil. The event was Relay for Life (RLF) organized by the National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM). True to the Malaysian spirit of “Malaysia Boleh”, the event started with a high spirit despite the heavy downpour an hour before the opening ceremony. The event was officiated by NCSM honorary advisor Datin Zuraidah Atan followed by a speech by the president Mr Anthony Skelchy.

Although the rain had abated by then and it was drizzling, it did not stop the 300 odd cancer survivors from all ages to walk the survivors’ lap. I must admire all of them, who braved the drizzle, however I used an umbrella and my mother was given a rain coat. Survivors beam proudly as they walked around the stadium accompanied by the boisterous cheers from the crowd.

The atmosphere at MSN Training Stadium’s was one of carnival with live music, live performance, concerts, activities, games and even Ms Malaysia graced the occasion.
Participants from corporate organizations, colleges and individuals continued walking or running for 16 hours on the track. It being school holidays, there were lots of young children joining the activities adding more energy to the RFL. Some people had also adorned their creative costumes while walking on the track. People came with their families and I remembered seeing babies being pushed in the pram around the field. There were also tents for those who wanted to spend the night at the stadium.

I left the stadium about 9.30pm as it was still drizzling and my parents wanted to get home. But the activities were on full swing with everyone having a good time. I was hoping the Luminaria Ceremony would start by then but because of the rain, the event had to be delayed.

I went back again the next morning to the Stadium and to my surprise the crowd was still there. People who stayed over night did not look tired at all. I marvel the energy all of them had. May be next year I must try spending the night at the stadium to witness the enthusiasms of the crowd. That morning I walked a few rounds with my friend on the track….I did not want be left out of the feeling of creating history as RFL was for the first time held in KL…ha…ha!

At 10 am that Sunday morning the RLF came to an end. A record of success has been made in the history books of NCSM. Heartiest congratulations to the organizing committee (many of them cancer survivors), for their tireless & selfless volunteerism have borne into a beautiful fruit to be remembered by all who participated. All those organizations and individual who donated in kind or cash must be applauded. For survivors like me, it was a proud moment when I made the survivors’ lap…a sense of achievement…Hei! I have made it too.

I had taken some picture which will be posted later.