“There was a fast growing tumor on the right side of my brain, and it was causing water retention in the brain which, if the tumor actually gets larger, will actually push the central alignment of the brain towards the left. When it covers the air passage of the brain, breathing will be difficult and I might lose my life because of that. This condition is called hydrocephalus and this form of cancer is called lymphoma. So the doctor insisted to take out the tumor and surgery was crucial and I needed to do it as soon as possible because it was life threatening.
So they had to dig in through the skull into my brain to remove the tumor and to drain the water out.
I then underwent my chemotherapy,radiation therapy, and I also did a stem cell transplant.
Thankfully, I am almost two years in remission.
And yes, my perspective on life changed.
I think we take things for granted usually, because if your life is normal, you won’t really appreciate everything in life. I’ve been through so many treatments, and the stem cells transplants were regenerating my life over and over again.
I can say that I have a new chance at life, which is a very lucky thing to have. I now treasure everything I come across, and I know how to appreciate the small things in life. Small things like having a perfect blood test report. Small things like these, like blood test results and my hair, growing, is happiness – something to be happy about. And I was not like this before.
When I was diagnosed I quit my job, because I was expecting another relapse.
I wish I hadn’t worked for so long. My daily routine was basically work, eat, sleep.
I changed my life, I changed to a slower paced life. I’m working on my own sweet time.
Work is not everything in life. If you are the workaholic type, do spend time with your family, because they should be the most important thing in your life. Work can’t replace them, whenever you fall sick, you rely on your family. Work can’t help much, except financially. Don’t neglect them because of work, it’s not worth it. Health is the other most important thing. I now work at my own pace, and focus more on my personal life”.
– Humans of Kuala Lumpur went down and spoke with a trio of female cancer survivors from the National Cancer Society Malaysia. These are their stories.
