Love My Life. BSE, I have it!

Early this month, I shared my experience as a cancer survivor at the Pink October Campaign with the theme “Love My Life- BSE, I Have It” by Malaysian lingerie brand Xixili. The BSE Awareness campaign was held at Xixili Boutique at 1 Utama Shopping Complex.

I had a small crowd of 20 people this time around but amazingly the audience were interactive. I had lots of questions asked about breast cancer and after the talk I had ladies come up to ask about menopausal issues!

Xixili has introduced the BSE calendar cards as reminder to women to conduct monthly self-examinations.


Presentation Corner in the Boutique

A unique experience of presentation among sexy mannequins and ladies lingerie! Some shoppers were coming in and going out during presentation oblivious to what was going on. Some came in but shied away quickly thinking they may have to buy something.

Xixili Boutique

Xixili Boutique decorated with pink ballon in a heart shape. There was also booths outside the Botique with free trials on breast dummy to discover and how to check and detect breast lump. Talks on breast health were also presentated by other speakers

Below are two photos taking on the tropical rainforest at 1 Utama. I must admit I truly admired the lush greenery with many species of flora and fauna. It was a good ambience of having a forest and colourful fishes amidst cafes and restaurants.


Rainforest at 1 Utama Shopping Complex

Deepavali-The Festival of Lights

I really enjoyed my Deepavali this year binging on forbidden food to some but mouth-watering to me.

This year the Festival of Lights celebration was a real family affair. All of us in the family were tied down with work so we decided on a family celebration for a change. We did not extend invitation to friends as the previous years. Only my uncles and their families visited us. The rest of the holidays were spent resting and enjoying the festive atmosphere.

As for food, we were woke up to the aroma of mother’s delicious cooking on Deepavali. After the customary oil bath and going to the temple, we indulged in mother’s cuisine of chicken kurma, mutton curry and briyani rice. Adding on to this, we suddenly had lots of variety of Indian sweetmeats and guess what!...I enjoyed them in abundance. Not to forget the muruku and other Indian palagarams (traditional tidbits). As some of the family members were vegeterians, mother had also prepared idli, vadai, sambar and chillie chutney. The briyani too was prepared in a vegeterian style with vegetable kurma and oninons & cucumber yoghurt salad ( raita) to go along with it.

Festive Cookies

Some of the Indian palagarams that were served and which I truly enjoyed! Made from rice flour, ghee, lots of sugar, almonds etc.

A Part of My Deepavali Meal

Yummp! Briyani rice (basmati rice), spicy mutton curry, chicken kurma. It is does not look delicious...then I must improve my photography skills!

Of course, somewhere behind my head, I heard an echo saying “be careful…all these festive food are oily, fatty, meaty and sweetie.” But then I was happily and enthusiastically savouring the Deepavali specialties…after all it is Deepavali, a time for celebration and merriment. I put aside the breast cancer issue and celebrated Deepavali the Malaysian way!

I also revisited childhood when I played fire crackers which I bought for my 2 year old nephew. Well, we need to add sparkle to our lives and what better way then to see the colourful sparks on the clear night sky.

And guess what? The following day, for first time in my life, I went saw a movie at TVG a day after Deepavali. Although it was not a tamil movie I saw the “PRESTIGE”. Wow! And I really enjoyed the magic in it.

This year was within family and next year i think, i will invite friends and throw a party. After all every DEEPAVALI ust be different, unique and memorial.

Pink October-The Malaysian Awareness

A thought came to me two days ago that made me eager to find out how many ladies knew that October is a Breast Cancer Awareness Month. So I sent mails, asked colleagues, friends and some total strangers whether they were aware that it the Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I also got some friends to ask their colleagues too.

About 50 ladies were asked. The verdict majority of them are not aware of the Pink October. That does not sound good at actually. I remember reading an article early this month stating that not many Malaysian realize this symbolic month. It clears shows there are a lot more needed to be done in creating awareness.

I know there are various activities and campaign to create public awareness being initiated by various bodies including the radio stations, magazines, manufacturers and distributors of beauty products and women apparels, hospitals and medical centres. Others have also come out with their products in the pink colour, participating outlets are giving away goodie bags, discount voucher and insurance companies have launched new schemes for female related diseases.

Proceeds from the various activities among others, charity auction, charity golf, charity walk are being donated to the various cancer related organizations. In addition, some organizations are also subsidizing or sponsoring mammography for the lower income group.

At the road shows and public forums educational talk, breast self examination demonstration, free consultations are some of the important agendas. I, myself have participated at these forums where a survivor is called to share her experience.

To be frank, I can’t remember whether I knew of Pink October before my encounter with breast cancer. Many may not be aware of it but I know more Malaysians are aware of breast cancer more than ever now compared to a few years ago.

CROWNING GLORY

My friend’s mother-in-law who is 66 years old has been diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. The doctors have begun treatment by administering chemotherapy first. She has completed her first cycle of chemo and is experiencing hair loss. My friend told me she was very disturbed my this. At this juncture, I decided it was a good time to visit her.

I shared my experience of my “chemo days’. I told her when I started to experience hair loss, I knew I would not be stand the sight of my thick black mane coming off in strands gradully until there is not hair left on my head. In fact it was rather disturbing to see my hair in clumps in the hair brush. It really did undermine ones femininity and image. As I have read about some women shaving their head, I decided to go bald too! Anyway, being a Hindu it is auspicious to shave ones head for fulfilling a vow or receiving a blessing from GOD.

I had decided to go Batu Caves in the pretext of religious pilgrimage to shave my hair then. And so, I went all the way to Batu Caves, one early morning after my first chemo to have my hair ceremonious removed! After that, this year, I once again shaved my hair during Thaipusam at Batu Caves as an offering of thanks to Lord Murugan.

After becoming bald, it took time to getting use to seeing my reflection on the mirror and assuring myself that it still is the same old me with just a different look! I only used a scarf and that to only when I went out of the house, I wasn’t in favour of a wig because, I am quite clumsy and if in did not put it on properly I would look like a clown! NOW…I have cut my hair so short that men have longer hair style then me. Anyway, my friends say I look more stylish now and I DO…Ha!...Ha!

I also told my friend’s mother-in-law, the hair loss on the head will also be followed by hair loss from other parts of the body. I quickly also assured her everything will grow back after completion of treatment. She listened calmly to my encounters and my experiences with breast cancer. After hearing all that I had to say, she said she would think about shaving her mane. I know she would need time to think about it and she can only do so when she is really comfortable with the thought of being bald. After all a woman’s beautiful mane is her crowning glory and it is not easy to be without it.