tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-362002402024-03-06T07:23:40.407+08:00My life... a myriad of coloursAIDA MUNIRAH AZMIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09538896099832451628noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36200240.post-30204269995479615702012-09-30T00:01:00.001+08:002012-09-30T00:01:54.090+08:00Happy Cancerversary <div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.9</div>AIDA MUNIRAH AZMIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09538896099832451628noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36200240.post-85140569194871870872011-09-29T14:37:00.007+08:002011-09-29T15:31:56.940+08:00It's Been A Year Now! - Happy 'Cancerversary'<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRcpyYpXCvdLzxWaEu8O638TScngsA4Pvb2WGBIjX-uyQeS-v1-CRs3_HHyCzdsiszXUOaErSBJIcYK-6JHK3XI3vtabJvrAMeu4NGaIhqqAB7dvo0nCzYHN1y6LICOWMQjvI/s1600/252594_10150648413530436_539965435_19307461_5482793_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span"><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="line-height: 17px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.35em; margin-left: 0px; ">Today is a day of celebration for me – It’s my one year ‘cancerversary’!!</p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="line-height: 17px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.35em; margin-left: 0px; ">I guess I’m not really sure how you’re supposed to count this sort of thing. Some cancer survivors choose the last day of chemotherapy or radiotherapy as their anniversary. Others select the first clear MRI scan or mammogram. There are also some survivors who choose the date of their surgery for clean margin. </p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="line-height: 17px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.35em; margin-left: 0px; ">For me, I consider my so-called ‘cancerversary’ to be <b>29 September</b> – the day I was diagnosed with Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma. You can read about it <a href="http://munirah18.blogspot.com/2010/11/outrageous-october.html">here</a>. </p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="line-height: 17px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.35em; margin-left: 0px; ">I never thought this day would come, and it’s through tear-filled eyes that my family and I will remember the last 365 days. Although in some way it seems like it just happened yesterday, in other ways it seems like it’s been forever! So much had happened since then – Sara had graduated and work with an architect firm, Mom had resigned from a developer and works with a Bank, Amir managed to get 8A’s for PMR and is now a head boy, Hafez had changed school from Al-Ikhlas to Q-Dees and we had gotten ourselves a cat (Chika) and she already gave birth to a black little kitten, just to name a few.</p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="line-height: 17px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.35em; margin-left: 0px; ">As for me, I am now married to the most wonderful guy in the world (at least in my world), my soulmate, <b>Mohd Azmir</b> - who has always been by my side throughout my battle. Thank you sayang for still being with me even after I was diagnosed with cancer. I love you so much.</p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="line-height: 17px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.35em; margin-left: 0px; ">Everyone is moving on with life, and for me, moving on has been a challenge in so many ways. Physically, I am only just starting to get my energy back. I still feel constantly tired and achy. I still have very little saliva and some burnt marks, and hoarse voice, but it’s been a year in remission, so who cares about those things?? Like Azmir always say, "Why sweat the small stuffs when so much else matters?".</p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="line-height: 17px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.35em; margin-left: 0px; ">I wish I could say that the journey was easy. Truth is, fighting against cancer has probably been one of the hardest yet most rewarding things I’ve ever done in my life! I’ve shed so many tears at times when I wasn’t physically able to cope with it. But in all honesty, I have to say the joy I’ve been given by God today has far exceeded the pain that I’d endured.</p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="line-height: 17px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.35em; margin-left: 0px; ">Life as I knew it has changed forever. Even if I no longer have to wear that ‘fencing mask’ and go under the TomoTherapy machine, or poke myself with needles during chemotherapy, or having ulcers in my mouth and throat, this past year has touched my life irrevocably – I was sliced, cut open, fried, sewn for so many times. I had faced things that I never thought I could endure. I’ve had people lift me up in ways I’ve never been lifted up before. Some even came to me and say "We want to fight this with you". This kind of support and encouragement always keeps me going.</p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="line-height: 17px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.35em; margin-left: 0px; ">I’m having a tough time lately thinking about others who weren’t so lucky. I couldn’t help myself from feeling sad for those who lose their fight to this terrible illness. Some of them are still young yet their lives were taken away from them. Some had been diagnosed cancer-free and suddenly, again God took their lives from them. Is there a reason why God help me through this? Nevertheless, I am so blessed to be given this second chance by God - to appreciate life better and to inspire others. I guess what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.</p></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">So a little note for the newly diagnosed patients, I want you to know that cancer is not a death sentence, and there is definitely life after cancer. Just believe in God and who knows one day you’ll reach your one year ‘cancerversary’ too! Some tips to share:</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><i>Have a strong support system around you</i> – Your love ones, family, and friends. Those who really matter to you and will always believe in you no matter what.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><i>Make some goals during chemotherapy and after chemotherapy</i> – It keeps you motivated and always looking forward for improvement.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><i>Never, ever worry about your physical conditions </i>- You lose your hair, big deal. Just buy a wig or chop off your hair (Like what I did). You have permanent scars; at least it’s a living proof of your battle against cancer. I was a bit naive and foolish to worry too much about this at the earlier stage of the battle.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><i>Develop your spirituality</i> – Always pray to God. Believe that there is always a reason why God choose you to fight this battle.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><i>Pamper yourself</i> – Wear nice clothes, use the best perfume, go for a manicure. Love yourself, for if you don’t, how can you expect anybody else to love you? </span></li></ol><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div>I would like to take this opportunity to say that I am so happy to be able to live another year and to still be in remission - I give God all the glory. I am also thankful to all my family and friends for your never ending d'ua and support. I wouldn't have come this far if it wasn't for you guys! I'll be back in the office this Monday (3rd Oct) and I'm a</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "> bit nervous though, so wish me luck! I</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">'ve been on medical leave for almost a year now so I would like to thank my employers, PwC for always believing in me and supporting me along the way.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span"><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; "><span style="line-height: 14px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white;"></span></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.65pt; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; "><span style="line-height: 17px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; ">Here's to many more ‘cancerversaries’ to come.</span></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.65pt; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; "><span style="line-height: 17px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; "><br /></span></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.65pt; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; "><span style="line-height: 17px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; ">To sum up my journey:</span></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.65pt; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; "><span style="line-height: 17px; 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margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRcpyYpXCvdLzxWaEu8O638TScngsA4Pvb2WGBIjX-uyQeS-v1-CRs3_HHyCzdsiszXUOaErSBJIcYK-6JHK3XI3vtabJvrAMeu4NGaIhqqAB7dvo0nCzYHN1y6LICOWMQjvI/s320/252594_10150648413530436_539965435_19307461_5482793_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657676598637480242" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuM7MtS0ML9MBg2gNf_YR_g_FvlUixfDe_YpBsVO8wO02InpzqnuGdBG9pJCrE2h2tGn5UixIlw-IExp8MgCcL-AHEa6GtrfWouLZljJYoyR77gSOZXtlyw1ed_Uc9DOEt7h0/s1600/319231_10150298850423981_638603980_7876367_1425840445_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuM7MtS0ML9MBg2gNf_YR_g_FvlUixfDe_YpBsVO8wO02InpzqnuGdBG9pJCrE2h2tGn5UixIlw-IExp8MgCcL-AHEa6GtrfWouLZljJYoyR77gSOZXtlyw1ed_Uc9DOEt7h0/s320/319231_10150298850423981_638603980_7876367_1425840445_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657675930267068802" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 211px; " /></a></span></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ArAGAfYymsj9CiZbu-00DzWj_pQ5pAZKCFceiKDavks0FpNmEYbVQz3Hf4j-pO70bfv1g6f-tWBDxpDSW9-IyPvXmC4vnsRWatqZsmdiLKqpEbzXiBqC7efwC506EEJNEpo/s1600/blog161.jpg" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ArAGAfYymsj9CiZbu-00DzWj_pQ5pAZKCFceiKDavks0FpNmEYbVQz3Hf4j-pO70bfv1g6f-tWBDxpDSW9-IyPvXmC4vnsRWatqZsmdiLKqpEbzXiBqC7efwC506EEJNEpo/s320/blog161.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657675931076231506" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I pray that my life will always be blessed until the end of time. Amen.</div><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuM7MtS0ML9MBg2gNf_YR_g_FvlUixfDe_YpBsVO8wO02InpzqnuGdBG9pJCrE2h2tGn5UixIlw-IExp8MgCcL-AHEa6GtrfWouLZljJYoyR77gSOZXtlyw1ed_Uc9DOEt7h0/s1600/319231_10150298850423981_638603980_7876367_1425840445_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div>AIDA MUNIRAH AZMIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09538896099832451628noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36200240.post-60494567539586800452011-07-26T15:41:00.008+08:002011-07-26T16:42:32.219+08:00Quarterly check-up: You'd never know<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span">I was back at SDMC today; it was time for my quarterly check-up with Dr Kamal. Walking passed the Cancer Centre, I remembered the cancer treatments, and the first time I had walked into the centre. Let me share with you what happened. Back then, I only looked down the long hallway and could only imagine the torture that awaits me. This was a world I NEVER expected to enter. All I felt was fear for what lay ahead and the thought that God had punished the wrong person lingered in my mind.</span></div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">Little did I know that what lay ahead was not as bad as I thought. In fact, the experience brought the unexpected reward of self-discovery. But I didn’t know it then. All I knew was that I had been operated for Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma and now was to undergo 33 sessions of radiation and 6 cycles of chemo. My mood showed in my appearance back then – no make-up, no interest in the clothes I had put on that morning, no smile on my face, nothing… nada!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">One fine day, during the fourth week of radiotherapy (while being accompanied by my sister, Sara), a stunning, confident looking woman had walked into the building as I was waiting in the waiting area for my treatment. High-heels, suit, matching handbags, make-up; perfect.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">“I’m here for my check-up,” I overheard her talking to the receptionist, Cynthia.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">I turned to Sara. “You’d never know. Siapa sangka she had cancer,” I whispered. She had cancer and she looked beautiful. She had undergone radiation and now she was walking, talking, smiling and joking with Cynthia. She was a SURVIVOR! I was grateful to see her face and to hear her cheerful voice. It gave me a sense of hope and made me think that if she can do it, so can I! Then it was my turn to go inside for my treatment. I vowed to myself that I’m going to do for someone else what the beautiful lady has done for me.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">That was back in December 2010. Today, seven months after the incident, like I mentioned earlier I was back for my quarterly check-up; accompanied by my beloved fiancé, Azmir.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQVI8cZg0DVygBXF2AAU8Suh9vV0yBCOeYGUMxhsv2wODbDOOybSwoBtsQlFI1NC8PVX3l1XS1XVZZnKgzBVWhLNw-jYV9qvfcJPpU-lHuqV6lvKROYkqAsRcEObmFNkp24o/s320/P1120280.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633568352623594146" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQ5-XClJjrumYidyBURHJfkNujfBf2Hvt-FCG2tqajBje5KlXFmK3siHE_xMFHxq9FsWHCMwn1Nfsoz1ClUhHRj4HUjt0i1wENxzmdM9Tb098CLi4A_kq_7v_nn9uZQkfEPM/s320/P1120281.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633568360397471538" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1TiMXSZO9bYbizDEfJ3qCghRUWQtCOkww67xJzs_EWMUrEf9dW_L82SpzmbKqXtg-mCXgvEkUlVW8groeEyx9POUR7H6agtxVbJwFmvu8zrAmtT9sevvBvNXRrsf-5f1dp7w/s320/P1120283.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633568363518022178" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZJ00fVTEC4eTP2i-lH2NCU5XH-4E1WMlchpV1DG9PTePupnKq6i-JpyLDGVb2pikN7ewNt4WA5p-4kVxIKkOHtgh3LnuiJzBQPAgMjF3cCE_Qh53WuEx4PTp1kH667d9_UEc/s1600/P1120286.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZJ00fVTEC4eTP2i-lH2NCU5XH-4E1WMlchpV1DG9PTePupnKq6i-JpyLDGVb2pikN7ewNt4WA5p-4kVxIKkOHtgh3LnuiJzBQPAgMjF3cCE_Qh53WuEx4PTp1kH667d9_UEc/s320/P1120286.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633568380004367730" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_W-6WHPOxv483noo-AP9-UDv9abEXCecw4BPT8vwqSd4gznryimv9M0nhUmttxSd5212AIpDId5i4Pf27JIj7CWKqXBIJGUCqtdt2s_AowOQypTO7RiMjtSxUp78hB09Zlf0/s1600/P1120285.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_W-6WHPOxv483noo-AP9-UDv9abEXCecw4BPT8vwqSd4gznryimv9M0nhUmttxSd5212AIpDId5i4Pf27JIj7CWKqXBIJGUCqtdt2s_AowOQypTO7RiMjtSxUp78hB09Zlf0/s320/P1120285.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633568375277454418" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">So we reached SDMC at 8.30am and I was the second person to do the MRI (which took me almost 1 hour). After I’d received the results, I went to see Dr Kamal straight away and the result was positive! There was NO recurrent tumour or enhancement of the lymphadenopathy. Dr Kamal was pretty happy with the results, and I was happy too! Now there’s just one main challenge for me – to go through fasting month, the month of Ramadan! So Dr Kamal had gave me another ONE month MC to try to fast like normal (since this is going to be my first time in life fasting after having cancer). Also, he gave me Glandosane – synthetic saliva. It’s a saliva substitute for patients with dryness of the oral mucosa and throat and since I no longer have my right submandibular gland and sublingual gland to produce sufficient saliva for me, I really hope Glandosane will work its wonder.</span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfEtb1dRdaaDfqmTgcOJFU8EkwmKst0ljhjmI8ng04MifGA2u4Ack5HxGhaAGvCnfNGFPUcD8m4HVIRDpeearA5TUU3NmpD_5tAdwniXykD23Yj5sZi95EDYGtodKJkHcxrzM/s320/P1120287.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633568654677805330" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></p><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhndNRidqlQYX4cODu44NJNL2a-lJuLiyodjpG6FgaRa7sOgrSYSfn_VHx0RnB3mLEr-VAymyb4HcXhXe69005wTKOFXZviJE5NQSVbP-1NlBBVdfCEwC0FM0_KnFMFom1j-4E/s1600/P1120288.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhndNRidqlQYX4cODu44NJNL2a-lJuLiyodjpG6FgaRa7sOgrSYSfn_VHx0RnB3mLEr-VAymyb4HcXhXe69005wTKOFXZviJE5NQSVbP-1NlBBVdfCEwC0FM0_KnFMFom1j-4E/s320/P1120288.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633568656542375874" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">So I went to see the receptionist at the Cancer Centre counter to collect my MRI scans and to get my MC.</span></div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">“How are you doing, Aida?” the receptionist asked. “You look great,” she said.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">I had dressed decently today – H&M pink pants, Forever 21 cardigan, tank top and scarf, and Nine West pumps. I had ironed my scarf, carefully applied my make-up and sprayed my favourite perfume. I was determined to look my best today – I like to call it a “post-cancer” attitude. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">A lady wearing a bandanna was sitting with her husband to my right. Her face was pale and lifeless, and she looks afraid. I knew she must had been through or still going through cancer treatment. You could tell. She looked at me for a long time, observing me from head to toe and somehow I knew what she was thinking.</span> I gave her a reassuring glance and smiled at her. Her face brightened and she returned it.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">That was when I knew, I HAD DONE MY PART...</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">PS: Met <a href="http://nicklay-cancer.blogspot.com/">Nick</a><span class="Apple-style-span"> at the Imaging Department while waiting for my MRI Scan result. He was there for his X-ray. I never knew that my blog had inspired him to write his own blog and seek advise from the same oncologist in SDMC (he was later referred to Dr Foo, also an oncologist at SDMC). You'd never know... </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">PSS: Alhamdulillah, I am so grateful to God for giving me a chance to be healthy again and for all the blessings. My never ending prayer to Him has finally been answered. To my family and friends, Thank you for always encouraging me and never giving up on me. I love you all! Check out my MRI result below! :)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0AqgXAGC9ceiAOft1_kGVNWiLscKCJrTh8-wzXU3mB_EYpdCFS_B4YCA_Pt4lJrQogIaPkciUIWy11lJuKPNqDYrRp_7RKgWW_oCwiDMNmQPpVz4uhLdk6PGWsrGOYxtqfBo/s320/P1120289.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633568665470397330" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></p>AIDA MUNIRAH AZMIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09538896099832451628noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36200240.post-62001478447511775462011-07-06T21:41:00.005+08:002011-07-06T22:05:33.895+08:00Wednesday Night Movie: My Sister’ Keeper<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Wh27jHpUKa-VDjKA3ooTsErhq7-5XJYPwnDwUmRBfzYbuyZ17tzxb9uom-YLxM8rc6nzeKkFQIsOVhJw4spAL5jmp6y6HtyAdQNXWGmTEdqnT8PuZ_9DT5ISb9iXF2X7fw0/s320/my-sisters-keeper.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626238472846693186" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 246px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Wsf2dZXDxyDYx3GwzfLlZcnK0c3GPgoWRc4xk6nkN3XtCyuH5W80Z0onPBks4dg5PdzpPG-JtHl8VEQcDPxWILozlU2CZleQHUe6C-xyMB2U9sfz0UkI9EcPjuI4mGcm5PU/s1600/sisters3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Wsf2dZXDxyDYx3GwzfLlZcnK0c3GPgoWRc4xk6nkN3XtCyuH5W80Z0onPBks4dg5PdzpPG-JtHl8VEQcDPxWILozlU2CZleQHUe6C-xyMB2U9sfz0UkI9EcPjuI4mGcm5PU/s320/sisters3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626238486927325074" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwOHJN8N6ya25cuev1bb3PDfiBGroNiNqV_KHL3e9lC0C_lWLyLXWhQALFIqjTc1DDIO84emz_yCktnHaoFKQ1mo8jChCU3Le5Yg9BZ3-SYN1JLqFNA-inrGTzNGeXpW9m_QY/s1600/sisters2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwOHJN8N6ya25cuev1bb3PDfiBGroNiNqV_KHL3e9lC0C_lWLyLXWhQALFIqjTc1DDIO84emz_yCktnHaoFKQ1mo8jChCU3Le5Yg9BZ3-SYN1JLqFNA-inrGTzNGeXpW9m_QY/s320/sisters2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626238485584986370" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg_Z6EvWzmCHdonYQqk5c7KvFYOziAjogLGdtuF-3b5HU-TvF8MME4aDBflV7EPWAHdmCKaOLLezFrP8qhhgb1qldMC6uIwzhAQeLIPZWBmvWKlikCJAp_pFkm_s7oWzvv9UE/s1600/sisters1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 215px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg_Z6EvWzmCHdonYQqk5c7KvFYOziAjogLGdtuF-3b5HU-TvF8MME4aDBflV7EPWAHdmCKaOLLezFrP8qhhgb1qldMC6uIwzhAQeLIPZWBmvWKlikCJAp_pFkm_s7oWzvv9UE/s320/sisters1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626238485176647986" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXMqSXQq002AEo4qoo1CLDUdXkIQM_Q-6Zt8uuKqZQea6RnZRQDgtICvOOcUd-QAU_5JWgxDYJJmVZTh-fyfKyEXjyP8CCkCPVECcbeMKIcffwhUI5GsT0cXTr2MjgPFJ0aXA/s1600/sisters_keeper.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXMqSXQq002AEo4qoo1CLDUdXkIQM_Q-6Zt8uuKqZQea6RnZRQDgtICvOOcUd-QAU_5JWgxDYJJmVZTh-fyfKyEXjyP8CCkCPVECcbeMKIcffwhUI5GsT0cXTr2MjgPFJ0aXA/s320/sisters_keeper.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626238475431299394" /></a><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Watching this movie got me thinking about cancer. Cancer is something that seems to have an impact on almost everyone these days; it’s good that there are films like My Sister’ Keeper that help us deal with it. I cried throughout the movie, it’s a really sad story. Not just me, the whole family was crying too! I guess it really reminded us of my own battle with cancer – the vomiting, the hair loss, the weight-loss, the special Cisplatin ‘cocktail’, the pain the family had to go through. Kate Fitzgerald had APL. I had ACC. There can be 1001 abbreviations out there. But we should never let it bring us down. Watch the movie; it’s very empowering and a definite eye-opener to how short life actually is.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span">PS: My Sister’ Keeper reminded me of a girl from Banting, Yasmin, who shared the same ward as me while I was hospitalised at SDMC. She was 18, had AML (Acute Myeloid Leukemia) and was waiting for her sister (the donour) to complete SPM the following week for bone marrow transplant. I left the hospital earlier than her; I wonder what happened to her. To Yasmin, I hope things go well for you, wherever you are. </span></span></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Wh27jHpUKa-VDjKA3ooTsErhq7-5XJYPwnDwUmRBfzYbuyZ17tzxb9uom-YLxM8rc6nzeKkFQIsOVhJw4spAL5jmp6y6HtyAdQNXWGmTEdqnT8PuZ_9DT5ISb9iXF2X7fw0/s1600/my-sisters-keeper.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>AIDA MUNIRAH AZMIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09538896099832451628noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36200240.post-27282665717481025762011-07-02T09:11:00.007+08:002011-07-02T10:00:46.963+08:00SCKLM 2011<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Hi! I’m so busy these days that blogging has unfortunately moved down the ranks of my to-do list. But I miss it! I always have so many things to write, especially regarding my post-therapy experience but procrastinating always gets the better of me. Just a quick update about my life right now: I'm still on Prolonged Illness Leave given by the firm (TQ PwC!), I play netball almost every weekend now & also futsal, just finished my Financial Reporting Paper for ICAEW (I hope I pass!) and also preparing for my wedding in September.</span></span></div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Should I continue writing and not procrastinate, I want to tell all the cancer survivors out there, that there is life after cancer. You may have permanent scars on your body (as for me, I have a 12-inch scar from my chin stretched right underneath my right ear), you may suffer from side effects (my hearing and taste bud were impaired, my mouth is always dry due to non-production of the saliva) or you may even have emotional scars from going through so much. You may find that others (your family, friends, colleagues, etc) think of you differently and treat you in a different way. But it is not the end of the world. Life can be better, so long as we have faith in the Almighty and most importantly, faith in yourself.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span">To tell you the truth, I was feeling so depressed post-treatment as I expected my life to return back to normal. To the way it used to be before I was diagnosed with cancer. But having that kind of expectation only frustrates me and makes me feel bad about myself. Post-treatment, I couldn’t eat straightaway, I couldn’t run straightaway, I couldn’t be active straightaway. Like I said, I wanted life to be back to normal, so bad that I forgot the reality – I had suffered because of cancer. Then, I learnt to accept myself the way it is; imperfection and all. I set smaller goals to achieve, like instead of expecting to eat a Big Mac straightaway, I start small by eating porridge (cause all this while I’d been eating BLENDED porridge during treatment) then I moved to eating soft rice. The first few months after treatment was a time of change for me and I try to embrace it. It’s not so much of “getting back to normal life” like I anticipated, it’s more of finding out what’s “normal” for me NOW. My new “normal” includes making changes in the way I eat, the things I do, the way I talk. Life has new meaning and I look at things differently now. Cancer has changed me as a person. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; ">I will definitely write about my experience, especially after I found out that my story inspire others and becomes a point of reference for new cancer patients. If I can do it, so can you! But for now, I will write about what I've been up to recently – running the Standard Chartered KL Marathon (10km run - Women Open on 26 June 2011)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; ">When I was having chemo and radiotherapy, I quit doing almost everything! I was too tired, sick and in pain most of the times to even open my mouth to speak! One day, when I was feeling down while being hospitalized at SDMC (sometime in December 2010) for side effects of chemo - fatigue, nausea and (bloody!) ulcers in my mouth, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; ">Azmir, my boyfriend (now fiancé) asked me what seems like the most ridiculous question ever:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaqiVr8o5RvnFP8xgGn1cMm6Vz_fhm8fKDvDcI2MRfrYmyVzp-qHqtM66IWUOw9DzCRm5J3nok_qcfEpImYSl_Gn7o-VpO-Hv5m_34uFI8QTRj_UD9LS0a6yb4Pp6xxz5BOPc/s1600/167063_1608120769640_1434818184_31462105_4616981_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaqiVr8o5RvnFP8xgGn1cMm6Vz_fhm8fKDvDcI2MRfrYmyVzp-qHqtM66IWUOw9DzCRm5J3nok_qcfEpImYSl_Gn7o-VpO-Hv5m_34uFI8QTRj_UD9LS0a6yb4Pp6xxz5BOPc/s320/167063_1608120769640_1434818184_31462105_4616981_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624563093096288466" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWV5DxTKjsU82-IIbJrkeWXIg9VH3EUXGilEs1kEq60n3PfkmrYjbmCTosAiiH-MFVCAuXhe3DYEuDOetJrg5pz_s-PztvhUq4NGPpBC3XlHR4dIvLdzOexvdRZ7U_tkUCjOU/s1600/163674_1612473285004_1631437044_1395000_8235558_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWV5DxTKjsU82-IIbJrkeWXIg9VH3EUXGilEs1kEq60n3PfkmrYjbmCTosAiiH-MFVCAuXhe3DYEuDOetJrg5pz_s-PztvhUq4NGPpBC3XlHR4dIvLdzOexvdRZ7U_tkUCjOU/s320/163674_1612473285004_1631437044_1395000_8235558_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624563091241139122" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px; " /></a></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Pictures of me back in December 2010 (Warded at SDMC)</span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; ">Our conversation:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; ">Azmir : “Aida, my dear. Will you run with me? Let’s register ourselves in advance for the Standard Chartered KL Marathon in June 2011!”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Me: “What?? Are you crazy?? Can’t you see that I’m sick? Can’t you see that my neck is still stiff from the surgery and the radiotherapy?? I have cancer Azmir, things will never be the same again” (dramatic mode)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Azmir: “Have faith in yourself. I’m sure you’ll recover by June and we’ll run side-by-side. Worst case scenario, we’ll just collect the goodie bags and skip the marathon. Sounds like a plan?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Me: “Yeah yeah, whatever. If you think I can run and be fit and healthy again by June, you’re just kidding yourself. Don’t give yourself false hope; you’ll be disappointed one day” (negative mode)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; ">After completing treatment, I kind of forgot that Azmir registered us for the run but with his help and constant reminder, I started to train almost every evening with him (this first started in April 2011). At first, I can’t even walk! My neck hurts so bad that I always felt like giving up. But as time goes by, not only can I run but I even managed to complete the 10km run (completed the run in 1:21:10 and was number 409 out of 3910 for Women Open) and received a finisher medal! I am so proud of myself!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjza2VxobfsotBbeVlX5DtbXayO07T_H92KvSVepNZdS1esayDzkhWYxrroTHVkj7LrmhiZqDvpvVEtrbPrvxP2jb8Q9QQAWZP_L51FgojXtY3AKtGR_DgOfIRgNS2Upurr1zY/s1600/SCKLM.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjza2VxobfsotBbeVlX5DtbXayO07T_H92KvSVepNZdS1esayDzkhWYxrroTHVkj7LrmhiZqDvpvVEtrbPrvxP2jb8Q9QQAWZP_L51FgojXtY3AKtGR_DgOfIRgNS2Upurr1zY/s320/SCKLM.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624565765083226466" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px; " /></span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; ">And Azmir ran by my side the whole time! He had the choice to run solo and complete the run earlier but no, he pushed me to my limit, pulling my hand when I was slacking, and encouraged me when I told myself I can’t. So Azmir, I wouldn’t have completed the race, or go through cancer for that matter, if it wasn’t for you. I love you.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCio-sis3D6ctfWbsvK7EOq0-4P92ln_aOJiaKqekGwPwtAplJanqguCXdTaYJXARrDhUCNpYCDopo0arbIhaY_Tu4HdufHxuMWJm6ziWpa5T_DZqWch2Zwv7NZFaIyZOv1Z0/s1600/Untitled.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCio-sis3D6ctfWbsvK7EOq0-4P92ln_aOJiaKqekGwPwtAplJanqguCXdTaYJXARrDhUCNpYCDopo0arbIhaY_Tu4HdufHxuMWJm6ziWpa5T_DZqWch2Zwv7NZFaIyZOv1Z0/s320/Untitled.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624566460339642018" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 179px; " /></span></a></p><div><br /></div>AIDA MUNIRAH AZMIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09538896099832451628noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36200240.post-50878581045156661972011-01-08T12:44:00.016+08:002011-01-08T23:11:12.214+08:00My Last Radiotherapy Session!<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><b>January 8: </b>Hurray, last day of RT! Today is the day that I've been waiting for since the first time I was diagnosed with cancer and was advised to undergo radiotherapy. Today is the day that I will be "zapped" for the very last time. Today is the day...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">I am very sorry for not updating my blog for a very long time. The truth is, after I was admitted, I wasn't feeling very well. Every day is a new challenge for me. I was focusing too much on my pain. Even now, the ulcers are still painful. I just pray that everything will improve in future. When? Only God knows... Anyway, these are my pictures taken on the last day. If you'd notice, my neck is a bad case of sunburn. My ulcers? Don't mention it. It's just too painful to describe. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGWrUJJ2S7MIy6zCcKaBksHkS2AWcEgCj9XSelX8mppxTrI89V_JXHFKMLe468nYsOiTXSsrM0JFIbT_CA3BKRpjmIS-8Aoxbu5cmR2ORNpDZSed-85INaPnxiVuddj_SgwLM/s320/IMG_2630.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559822486716658818" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Front view - Last day RT</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibKcugLTIiflkdraegyGVrvrjCvfTFmJFbTF7XTXs5RTVxu30m66KFsk0raNOahQjkzopG5PziuFfuFXTeRtzC2vRvJ-yYEbv_P025UKeQeDzVdNMeYSQYsv8nj1aczWWppok/s1600/IMG_2632.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibKcugLTIiflkdraegyGVrvrjCvfTFmJFbTF7XTXs5RTVxu30m66KFsk0raNOahQjkzopG5PziuFfuFXTeRtzC2vRvJ-yYEbv_P025UKeQeDzVdNMeYSQYsv8nj1aczWWppok/s320/IMG_2632.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559822496625041698" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Back view - Last day RT</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf0Rh9W4MpbTqZI8cEpkpBgUkouNQr281UWsU38Yn1uIhCL2ImW8FGm0Ug45YaB5s0yBM1lO0PjmGJmj3ZaQB6VM3Yy6ilPy61iy4NzVwmNRTrIpQi2Gzdj_17NkAVZ-VERKM/s1600/IMG_2633.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf0Rh9W4MpbTqZI8cEpkpBgUkouNQr281UWsU38Yn1uIhCL2ImW8FGm0Ug45YaB5s0yBM1lO0PjmGJmj3ZaQB6VM3Yy6ilPy61iy4NzVwmNRTrIpQi2Gzdj_17NkAVZ-VERKM/s320/IMG_2633.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559822499084999842" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: small; ">Right view - Last day RT</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUGhZDc-aaUcKGeqmNcUPSL2yzuu3iSxXQt1jjMRwQ5u7ed-3YjCV1B7Jy1yTp_MhbB0DlwhG02MRViFu6qH3MiW3lc8qaVmY8Wqe_kN5s3POVPOeLoB9RWprGgNYXUvNSo2k/s1600/IMG_2634.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUGhZDc-aaUcKGeqmNcUPSL2yzuu3iSxXQt1jjMRwQ5u7ed-3YjCV1B7Jy1yTp_MhbB0DlwhG02MRViFu6qH3MiW3lc8qaVmY8Wqe_kN5s3POVPOeLoB9RWprGgNYXUvNSo2k/s320/IMG_2634.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559822510153296274" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: small; ">Left view - Last day RT</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Uv_QURSbbZjvHE-4Yn4JvA6Czi6x5MUKW7gZ0pRm5bGFT7_GvdD-edqGpR1fcisgeR3a69eA3bUgRdTkNw-S6J44R2I659heSZuNFQRQi13960LSIheiJjokWHG5TNiRFwU/s1600/IMG_2635.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Uv_QURSbbZjvHE-4Yn4JvA6Czi6x5MUKW7gZ0pRm5bGFT7_GvdD-edqGpR1fcisgeR3a69eA3bUgRdTkNw-S6J44R2I659heSZuNFQRQi13960LSIheiJjokWHG5TNiRFwU/s320/IMG_2635.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559822512728870418" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span">View from below - Last day RT</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqsk8-BZQmW5_iGLwdmNa7OwMv3SfOLld4iZ5ukZ1nbl-y11N_CWon3zPIdbLjfwcxNOHt5TInSvMDI7u0_sf4puJGim8Mxc6TZuuJkv1UxW_3yuvc54ELewzn6-jRK5J0w0s/s1600/IMG_2636.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqsk8-BZQmW5_iGLwdmNa7OwMv3SfOLld4iZ5ukZ1nbl-y11N_CWon3zPIdbLjfwcxNOHt5TInSvMDI7u0_sf4puJGim8Mxc6TZuuJkv1UxW_3yuvc54ELewzn6-jRK5J0w0s/s320/IMG_2636.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559824365872471010" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Ulcer: View from top - Last day RT</span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXOpXYmIVJuMnwhyphenhyphenLSbCv-JwGUlA8ZlRJwCyIThEz2OB3V_d4_d2NrMp35Jl7GFIZ4X0z9piQR9WswhKz5DVYrPdg_eDtiPJnhqbYC0wauNJq_LeUnbfF3ltFSrWnt-11IJvg/s1600/IMG_2640.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXOpXYmIVJuMnwhyphenhyphenLSbCv-JwGUlA8ZlRJwCyIThEz2OB3V_d4_d2NrMp35Jl7GFIZ4X0z9piQR9WswhKz5DVYrPdg_eDtiPJnhqbYC0wauNJq_LeUnbfF3ltFSrWnt-11IJvg/s320/IMG_2640.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559824368890463298" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: small; ">Ulcer: View from below - Last day RT</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3-QdmAgCRsLeHM8y9noOn9oXyhpT723CNbNwMLy0HyolfUMCqN2KtXhHDG9ez-z2bQS-uulCakUtqK4HOmMqwmPEGQSvvfWEpuz4MVaGE0KJWGETRGjZzC0reClkp0uKE_HI/s1600/IMG_2642.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3-QdmAgCRsLeHM8y9noOn9oXyhpT723CNbNwMLy0HyolfUMCqN2KtXhHDG9ez-z2bQS-uulCakUtqK4HOmMqwmPEGQSvvfWEpuz4MVaGE0KJWGETRGjZzC0reClkp0uKE_HI/s320/IMG_2642.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559824371533478546" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: small; ">Ulcer: View from right - Last day RT</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqsk8-BZQmW5_iGLwdmNa7OwMv3SfOLld4iZ5ukZ1nbl-y11N_CWon3zPIdbLjfwcxNOHt5TInSvMDI7u0_sf4puJGim8Mxc6TZuuJkv1UxW_3yuvc54ELewzn6-jRK5J0w0s/s1600/IMG_2636.JPG"></a></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">I went to my last RT session with Mom, Dad, Sara, Amir, Hafez and Azmir. It felt like a carnival! I was never accompanied by so many people. I celebrated by giving out cupcakes to the radiotherapist, Dr Kamal and the Cancer Centre' staff. The next checkup will be next Thursday so I need to rest and hopefully my ulcers will be better by then. I have lost 7kg from Week One. Seems like radiotherapy is a good slimming programme.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjijzXBuRtosHTNoJTbMRE3p1U7ohcTN755msxSGEJrO7QWr0Hm5fjZ9z_W4QnEoBymnhQi-E6FxHtxVAnzlIifq6EglHRW3RAaPP05KPQK4zsWn0W1ZavPhQSY1aACBPDEDw/s320/IMG_2597.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559688579563258722" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span">The yummy cupcakes that we gave away. But the month was supposed to be January instead of December :)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><u>Before my RT session:</u></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; font-size: 16px; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigD2rMlDW3MM1FkUKlj78tYiXukj90LlR7bG5nCK_L74vv35PTGV3HXl56iWQ3cQ3Oq16H7bOlsec_cXYqfJ6elmSwYW4gmtxsvj_HlN7HtHQhYmktS5_wthuHW9o-6zxtRCg/s1600/IMG_2602.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigD2rMlDW3MM1FkUKlj78tYiXukj90LlR7bG5nCK_L74vv35PTGV3HXl56iWQ3cQ3Oq16H7bOlsec_cXYqfJ6elmSwYW4gmtxsvj_HlN7HtHQhYmktS5_wthuHW9o-6zxtRCg/s320/IMG_2602.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559694616159642594" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></u></span></u></span></div><div><u><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdFITawveceIPjS6LZo7HrfIG3mru5eAyWDI1ZCKuPVeMan-qYQNImsLREXOUWesJDceNHtQOHUgt33NKgVMMHnrEhfpNWK7PFcqwBugtcTSKI0ji-yCJIoyu5iQtAWqQ3IfI/s1600/IMG_2614.JPG" style="font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdFITawveceIPjS6LZo7HrfIG3mru5eAyWDI1ZCKuPVeMan-qYQNImsLREXOUWesJDceNHtQOHUgt33NKgVMMHnrEhfpNWK7PFcqwBugtcTSKI0ji-yCJIoyu5iQtAWqQ3IfI/s320/IMG_2614.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559696164063297666" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><u><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7hsAPfMExeRZ5W_NnXvoibcP7RKz_B5dT_3Hal1YnVrdmG56gLxfGPY5rBRJHnsbMPZ22U10igXSzHrqMD9RksVUvzrXSzKrXv60wewFQVd6HDGPZVoRSKgOCXC1_jRXd6gk/s1600/IMG_2608.JPG" style="font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><u></u></span></a><u><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoLMDLQmdCq_3z0TtAjE5qFhhs0cnJdbMau6jzm0vIlckc4o7Q7FHS4sOawrPRjN2orGsukG0ANx3XmbytlFud7qqXHqcTXT03EVTgiCD69Bt06v3F-Q6BFrhyPRX1v4BGxiU/s1600/IMG_2600.JPG" style="font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoLMDLQmdCq_3z0TtAjE5qFhhs0cnJdbMau6jzm0vIlckc4o7Q7FHS4sOawrPRjN2orGsukG0ANx3XmbytlFud7qqXHqcTXT03EVTgiCD69Bt06v3F-Q6BFrhyPRX1v4BGxiU/s320/IMG_2600.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559694604994786802" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></u></u></span><u><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7hsAPfMExeRZ5W_NnXvoibcP7RKz_B5dT_3Hal1YnVrdmG56gLxfGPY5rBRJHnsbMPZ22U10igXSzHrqMD9RksVUvzrXSzKrXv60wewFQVd6HDGPZVoRSKgOCXC1_jRXd6gk/s320/IMG_2608.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559696153623186978" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></u></u></div><div><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><u><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgTRXtYU-AF_2fBqmzxq0D8z05lj2CZKachlt8-mJHL4n7HIPVjKkZfAkpxiJyKsvnOcLkl2ZAxGfJ51QaaDOtkY51xlEVAQQRxOP540wf4RdbOAvb7pHHBMTKevwWggUzIos/s1600/IMG_2603.JPG" style="font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgTRXtYU-AF_2fBqmzxq0D8z05lj2CZKachlt8-mJHL4n7HIPVjKkZfAkpxiJyKsvnOcLkl2ZAxGfJ51QaaDOtkY51xlEVAQQRxOP540wf4RdbOAvb7pHHBMTKevwWggUzIos/s320/IMG_2603.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559694621330036818" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></u></span></span></u></div><div><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><u><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7hsAPfMExeRZ5W_NnXvoibcP7RKz_B5dT_3Hal1YnVrdmG56gLxfGPY5rBRJHnsbMPZ22U10igXSzHrqMD9RksVUvzrXSzKrXv60wewFQVd6HDGPZVoRSKgOCXC1_jRXd6gk/s1600/IMG_2608.JPG" style="font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></a></u></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4yUbFwXrnPKEHfWLL1VVUyzmfi_cz96UqE_SlusOXJRFeIlUyCg3Ymi48RycTon_gkXJ-gid51T3K6ehyRjkXXRpThH-NYC9-CnQGxRXrtDc2fyf5dIbHhZFCLSuwjjlPbyk/s1600/IMG_2611.JPG" style="font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4yUbFwXrnPKEHfWLL1VVUyzmfi_cz96UqE_SlusOXJRFeIlUyCg3Ymi48RycTon_gkXJ-gid51T3K6ehyRjkXXRpThH-NYC9-CnQGxRXrtDc2fyf5dIbHhZFCLSuwjjlPbyk/s320/IMG_2611.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559696157396331666" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><u><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBsKDUKydqTfkyynplmP8A8M_ajUvceoVB6LGpkAn3Mr-amqkJI5kpTojpM0LgcPEyT59mBn9xbnja9vrl7I-AXhsk-ZtBeJN65i_vc8yh1OEMlQcjdY0C5aS7I74YyKtP4uk/s1600/IMG_2604.JPG" style="font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBsKDUKydqTfkyynplmP8A8M_ajUvceoVB6LGpkAn3Mr-amqkJI5kpTojpM0LgcPEyT59mBn9xbnja9vrl7I-AXhsk-ZtBeJN65i_vc8yh1OEMlQcjdY0C5aS7I74YyKtP4uk/s320/IMG_2604.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559694626007796194" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></u></span></u></div><div><u><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMIEnHs0YU3lW5rtd8vify-q4HABXlFXAlpZkB4bc7SsBCDErHPXc2Zzwh5_KO5_Dnx02TV3tEJDyAvHGyv2n7XsIjCt72-WCsdB00mlL1kyY_U_w7mMeY1T1fLDw0XW9qTZc/s1600/IMG_2606.JPG" style="font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMIEnHs0YU3lW5rtd8vify-q4HABXlFXAlpZkB4bc7SsBCDErHPXc2Zzwh5_KO5_Dnx02TV3tEJDyAvHGyv2n7XsIjCt72-WCsdB00mlL1kyY_U_w7mMeY1T1fLDw0XW9qTZc/s320/IMG_2606.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559694629436293266" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><u><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6OJeCsCfSyZmLgADNE2qWg6_4N9sBqoSJ3GnA1okRVj1_QHgq26hna9txtGIEcdh6na_wnWHjpa2hn6p2nMpaKqLfTScZYBjIhmWXz7jJExjPwLeD74GDpHpSjKVAYBJzx4E/s1600/IMG_2607.JPG" style="font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6OJeCsCfSyZmLgADNE2qWg6_4N9sBqoSJ3GnA1okRVj1_QHgq26hna9txtGIEcdh6na_wnWHjpa2hn6p2nMpaKqLfTScZYBjIhmWXz7jJExjPwLeD74GDpHpSjKVAYBJzx4E/s320/IMG_2607.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559696146746242418" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></u></span></u></div><div><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><u><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6OJeCsCfSyZmLgADNE2qWg6_4N9sBqoSJ3GnA1okRVj1_QHgq26hna9txtGIEcdh6na_wnWHjpa2hn6p2nMpaKqLfTScZYBjIhmWXz7jJExjPwLeD74GDpHpSjKVAYBJzx4E/s1600/IMG_2607.JPG" style="font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></a></u></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><u><br /></u></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; font-size: small; "><u>After my RT session:</u></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuMjzDEiqPuqmODYncZmiTHCzfuy3G5XFK8_KaX9fH8kCIoSuS1essEd7Cptt8Ygtlus-hfKSMpbFHB6dGSIJA7wX4fJN9_afZeQRsUs5WNG1IKZLp3vqZQspIwbndYAwKr6k/s1600/IMG_2617.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuMjzDEiqPuqmODYncZmiTHCzfuy3G5XFK8_KaX9fH8kCIoSuS1essEd7Cptt8Ygtlus-hfKSMpbFHB6dGSIJA7wX4fJN9_afZeQRsUs5WNG1IKZLp3vqZQspIwbndYAwKr6k/s320/IMG_2617.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559729760415144306" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></u></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; text-decoration: underline; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuMjzDEiqPuqmODYncZmiTHCzfuy3G5XFK8_KaX9fH8kCIoSuS1essEd7Cptt8Ygtlus-hfKSMpbFHB6dGSIJA7wX4fJN9_afZeQRsUs5WNG1IKZLp3vqZQspIwbndYAwKr6k/s1600/IMG_2617.JPG"></a></span><div style="text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR6l4xPoOMWXWOLaf-UK4wiQ3cVNStfPFn64e3UzaR8t-DXfDd1TR8nS50RlVWhNCFeQiljZQZiihiRH-7aa1FsiP8y_fhM6qdllXNwmuRcJIcyi1a0Xe9MgSyKifWScBayrQ/s1600/IMG_2618.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR6l4xPoOMWXWOLaf-UK4wiQ3cVNStfPFn64e3UzaR8t-DXfDd1TR8nS50RlVWhNCFeQiljZQZiihiRH-7aa1FsiP8y_fhM6qdllXNwmuRcJIcyi1a0Xe9MgSyKifWScBayrQ/s320/IMG_2618.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559729764879845074" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFgKcPEXZ09b00m2-H28LAXqqFZqZhPt6x2Z5282B4TH-OEhqe1kXbYBxIS1d4Go6d36N3FYJHhNmkwjya_cgZvJMr-VN5EUnbMjFNq5hUDowjqpkaWFZlNCMx5C0L7n9mse8/s1600/IMG_2628.JPG" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; text-decoration: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFgKcPEXZ09b00m2-H28LAXqqFZqZhPt6x2Z5282B4TH-OEhqe1kXbYBxIS1d4Go6d36N3FYJHhNmkwjya_cgZvJMr-VN5EUnbMjFNq5hUDowjqpkaWFZlNCMx5C0L7n9mse8/s320/IMG_2628.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559731067931568306" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCdVts4uXuQSTxcxLv0NQJNalMkmyjXlwKfs5OEE88USNhOMEt6qyVCeB6fR_JQfxGLYDgM3ZhNHgqbGcKCEqYzXC_vrosITjd64jxa0uQwPSdicFJHfGzxHQs_SAz86yo8g4/s1600/IMG_2627.JPG" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; text-decoration: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCdVts4uXuQSTxcxLv0NQJNalMkmyjXlwKfs5OEE88USNhOMEt6qyVCeB6fR_JQfxGLYDgM3ZhNHgqbGcKCEqYzXC_vrosITjd64jxa0uQwPSdicFJHfGzxHQs_SAz86yo8g4/s320/IMG_2627.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559731059186497090" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfusbTzkKjRhp_6ewTtRi1EvCE3ogT6P-ZAdsGgur3pknvQrxm6JZ90icnmxdWS2jeS9s8BZEj2UJR-RiDCojbw-pyU_b82XLYjoB4c7YGvDeT1TmohhAhyphenhyphenRQ1UfGDUmyNAJ4/s1600/IMG_2623.JPG" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; text-decoration: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfusbTzkKjRhp_6ewTtRi1EvCE3ogT6P-ZAdsGgur3pknvQrxm6JZ90icnmxdWS2jeS9s8BZEj2UJR-RiDCojbw-pyU_b82XLYjoB4c7YGvDeT1TmohhAhyphenhyphenRQ1UfGDUmyNAJ4/s320/IMG_2623.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559729793487578370" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Amir and Azmir goofing around in my mask.</span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDcTKo4yX8iLoDTqrn0DM_oM7AC5yVaPr6KPPxbKol6i9cSlYolA0zlC6vPsvpmPekMIqlNYPDEh_E_r7nOzjR9IZS2m9vdH_kzGEGlrajbWgyUkjROh5mN5b3jFHW4dtLVVk/s1600/IMG_2620.JPG" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; text-decoration: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDcTKo4yX8iLoDTqrn0DM_oM7AC5yVaPr6KPPxbKol6i9cSlYolA0zlC6vPsvpmPekMIqlNYPDEh_E_r7nOzjR9IZS2m9vdH_kzGEGlrajbWgyUkjROh5mN5b3jFHW4dtLVVk/s320/IMG_2620.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559729770586364626" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; text-decoration: underline; "><u><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxYGrV72hwuaBe6oSjfgnlJH45kdRcwxFqte_H_aGdz99peq6ETY8BSaSjmG7Qec3aw1T6RFs7aIUaArOCstlQ55UEQDeJWKhj_UmwU4Qt4xw4C5lQCAb7z3W9tiuAU8kOG5Q/s1600/IMG_2624.JPG" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxYGrV72hwuaBe6oSjfgnlJH45kdRcwxFqte_H_aGdz99peq6ETY8BSaSjmG7Qec3aw1T6RFs7aIUaArOCstlQ55UEQDeJWKhj_UmwU4Qt4xw4C5lQCAb7z3W9tiuAU8kOG5Q/s320/IMG_2624.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559731058282035410" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></div><div><br /></div></u></span><div style="text-align: left; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><div style="text-align: center; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Throughout my seven weeks of treatment, I never went to radiotherapy alone. My sister, Aida Maisarah was my constant companion (though she was working during her semester break, she tried to accompany me every day). Besides her, Mom would come on days when I have chemotherapy or doctor's appointment. And of course Azmir, who never failed to come back to KL every weekend (as he is working in Johor) and would accompany me whenever he's back (and if I have RT session). Meh Mustaffa, my best friend from high school also came along once during the first week of my RT and was given a tour of the RT room.</span></div></span></div></div></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">The RT sessions last only a few minutes or so. But there were always extra minutes in the waiting area to mingle around with the other cancer patients. I made many friends in the SDMC Cancer and Radiosurgery Centre (though I didn't really knew their names, sorry!). Some were in worse shape than I was. We encouraged and prayed for each other. There was no racial barrier, no religious divide, no class distinction among the patients; all of us were comrades-in arm, battling the same enemy - CANCER!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">How do I feel? There is a sense of relief, yet restraint in my joy because with cancer, there are no guarantees. Throughout this journey, I believe God was with me all the time. He was such a wonderful Friend. Every day I pray that God will see me through this and that I would emerge stronger.</span></div></div></div>AIDA MUNIRAH AZMIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09538896099832451628noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36200240.post-43481936712660505662010-12-12T15:49:00.025+08:002011-01-07T18:54:29.782+08:00WEEK 2: Radiotherapy Session 8 - 12 & Chemotherapy Cycle 2<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Vh8xAUBTvGNaGJj3ILo3z3GV9Bk1lIfsP1mrc4vr_y_oC6JJijBnbqppLWyy4bQDp_x9ut8GAKmYUU9PAji7jqKnLVn2K4BOb9hGv0NkkglHPho3YjwWHtLHaKv3Wtbx_PQ/s1600/IMG_1930.JPG"></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>November 29:</b> </span><span class="Apple-style-span">Week 2 (Session 8 – 12) progressed much as Week 1. Here’s how I look like after one week. This picture was taken at the beginning of Week 2, not too much difference from last week I must say. As Tomotherapy’ radiation is delivered slice-by-slice (<i>tomo</i> is actually Greek for ‘slice’), the radiotherapist told me that I should be anticipating a “bad-case of sunburn” at the radiated area (being my cheekbones down to my collarbones). Everything went smoothly throughout the five radiotherapy sessions so I was quite happy. I am eating well - though my Mom put me on a very strict, healthy diet, I admit I did asked Sara to buy me a McD burger (or two) :)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Guilty as charged!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZtmjPArscZ-iFSqdfZGWXon2xdMPeNWUw6gu3V6x7eLAfXVy61IVZJGZ_LMPPfzjmKDCHRBnnmo1gpVpjKVuLomcXvzFAA4yZA7nnpRRCLUYhRqaiAJAefqa6kRrx3lf02b8/s1600/IMG_1802.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZtmjPArscZ-iFSqdfZGWXon2xdMPeNWUw6gu3V6x7eLAfXVy61IVZJGZ_LMPPfzjmKDCHRBnnmo1gpVpjKVuLomcXvzFAA4yZA7nnpRRCLUYhRqaiAJAefqa6kRrx3lf02b8/s320/IMG_1802.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549703339062023618" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; color: rgb(25, 25, 25); line-height: 18px; ">Back view - Beginning of Week 2</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglpO9ZV-fNNdQCd8i_nlYJEKH5TzxAqba1dPZlfjqRoovRCcC8h6HopVvMO6ZYcsfrICacdltPonI6Obh53YnpagTiJTphfJPUB9SLGZvTmA6bsQ364lS2G6PLsHkjGSLvER0/s1600/Week+2+RT.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglpO9ZV-fNNdQCd8i_nlYJEKH5TzxAqba1dPZlfjqRoovRCcC8h6HopVvMO6ZYcsfrICacdltPonI6Obh53YnpagTiJTphfJPUB9SLGZvTmA6bsQ364lS2G6PLsHkjGSLvER0/s320/Week+2+RT.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549703346692971394" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 320px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; color: rgb(25, 25, 25); ">Front view - Beginning of Week 2</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span">RADIOTHERAPY WEEK 2 (SESSION 8 – 12)</span></span></u></span></div></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span></span></u><s><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">Session 8 – 29 November 2010<br /></span></span></span></s><s><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">Session 9 – 30 November 2010 with Chemotherapy<br /></span></span></span></s><s><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; ">Session 10 – 1 December 2010 (Yikes, it's already December!)<br /></span></s><s><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; ">Session 11 – 2 December 2010<br /></span></s></span><s><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">Session 12 – 3 December 2010</span><br /></span></s><s><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span></span></span></s><span class="Apple-style-span"><s><br /></s></span></span></div><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">TAKING SPECIAL CARE OF MYSELF DURING RADIOTHERAPY<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span">Skin Care<br /></span></span></span></u></span></span></span></span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; ">According to the radiotherapist, I will experience dryness and redness of the skin in the radiated area. When will that happen? Let's just wait and see... I was advised to wash the treatment area with alcohol-free baby products. Therefore I had switched from using my favourite Body Shop’ Passion Fruit body range and L’oreal Hair Care to Johnson’s baby milk bath and Johnson’s baby soft & shiny shampoo. Oh I smell like a baby! (Wish that my skin is as soft as a baby too...)</span></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5KCYg8BhuRCb3CYKCQwtaA-mI_hoDTHCy9XskJcncvWJDZI4mW9Lcznku0nhLHx2EoGRgIjSE1fT-13AyXVgL89v7QDYXYFmxtpAK3UmGHsNCXUjbKH9LJjdNTPLJlCT4DLE/s1600/file_619_4.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5KCYg8BhuRCb3CYKCQwtaA-mI_hoDTHCy9XskJcncvWJDZI4mW9Lcznku0nhLHx2EoGRgIjSE1fT-13AyXVgL89v7QDYXYFmxtpAK3UmGHsNCXUjbKH9LJjdNTPLJlCT4DLE/s200/file_619_4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559020011212946818" style="cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwvwEHtS9jtRKMrmHEptiZlEJiQI-gPSKVretEbc9XUsxMzy6kNVh2gPSAsAiW120EAWzCb6oi1kD7qtgzVWx3bXTHfzhpEg6SD6l57nri6b0vhZyhkmZKt8LfOEdTN6XBeRY/s1600/DSCF9263.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwvwEHtS9jtRKMrmHEptiZlEJiQI-gPSKVretEbc9XUsxMzy6kNVh2gPSAsAiW120EAWzCb6oi1kD7qtgzVWx3bXTHfzhpEg6SD6l57nri6b0vhZyhkmZKt8LfOEdTN6XBeRY/s200/DSCF9263.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559020009654149986" style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; ">Avoid very hot or very cold water on the radiated area. Don’t use hair dryer or rub the treatment area too strongly with a towel. Also, I was asked not to wear ANY makeup. Going sans makeup? Oh bollocks!</span></div><div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; ">I was also asked to avoid exposing myself to the sun. Sounds easy but I am the type of girl who believes that an umbrella served as a defense against the <i><b>rain</b></i> rather than the <i><b>sun</b></i>! As for clothing, I need to avoid tight collars (no round neck Ts for me) and wear loose fitting clothes.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><span class="Apple-style-span">Dental Care</span><br /></u></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; ">It is very important to care for your teeth during treatment as radiotherapy to the head and neck area increase the chances of mouth infections and tooth decay. One thing that I really regret: Not seeing a dentist prior to starting my treatment! Why? Because once the ulcer “attacks”, it will be too late to see a dentist when all you need at that time are loads and loads of painkiller to ease the pain, trust me.<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; "><br />I was asked to use a really soft toothbrush to prevent gum disease and jaw infections. Initially I’d used the dental care set (includes mouthwash and toothpaste) that was given to me by Ms Eng during my first visit (for RT planning) - <b>OralSeven</b>. But later, I’d switched to <b>Biotene</b> (upon recommendation from Dr Kamal). I personally prefer Biotene to OralSeven.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtqf6tGlbvF4kMy4bgDbhyB343EXRi3onFzz3i22UVmrfhoGSZRN0pt2uYY9pSazKDItRGDgH1EAzQ18Zr8aPSreCDBJ3uJ9vivHCu4HNHiKIiQGXO5pPLszQK0QD7322Kv20/s1600/DSC_1034.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtqf6tGlbvF4kMy4bgDbhyB343EXRi3onFzz3i22UVmrfhoGSZRN0pt2uYY9pSazKDItRGDgH1EAzQ18Zr8aPSreCDBJ3uJ9vivHCu4HNHiKIiQGXO5pPLszQK0QD7322Kv20/s200/DSC_1034.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559031615913270258" style="cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 200px; " /></a> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Vs.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7gyKQQ8HBb4Gdxnvw5Wqjn5oB_0yKTUrwuJQ0FL0K___ZqKe2Otu04XoaKo8MtG92UKyI8xByOfrxupEyZN7kP-clsK_9SEYPFJ6usduknGQSGC2EY6EezzszdsU-XtWf8pQ/s1600/biotene.jpg" style="font-size: 16px; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7gyKQQ8HBb4Gdxnvw5Wqjn5oB_0yKTUrwuJQ0FL0K___ZqKe2Otu04XoaKo8MtG92UKyI8xByOfrxupEyZN7kP-clsK_9SEYPFJ6usduknGQSGC2EY6EezzszdsU-XtWf8pQ/s200/biotene.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559031610722611778" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px; " /></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; "><u><br /></u></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; "><u><br /></u></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: left; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia; font-size: small; "><u>CHEMOTHERAPY CYCLE 2</u></span></span></div><p style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "></p><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-family: Georgia, serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia; font-size: small; "><b>November 30: </b>I was up by 6.30am, trying to calm myself. I was so nervous, though this is going to be my second chemo session.<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia; "><br /><span class="Apple-style-span">My status from FB the night before chemo:<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><i>"Feeling a bit nervous for my Chemo Cycle 2 tomorrow. Ya Allah, please give me the strength to go through this ordeal. Amen. On a positive note: Chemo Cycle 1 and Radiotherapy Week 1 Session 1 - 7 (out of 33) = DONE!!!"</i></span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span">I was accompanied by Mom and Sara for my second chemotherapy session. Before we left, Ibu had packed drinks and spaghetti for lunch, but this is no picnic. </span></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-family: Georgia, serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia; font-size: small; ">Once I'd arrived, like usual, a complete blood count (CBCs) was performed prior to the treatment and my weight was also taken. </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-family: Georgia, serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia; font-size: small; "><i>P.S.: Today, I had chosen Bed No. 13 as it's Azmir' favourite number!</i></span></p><p style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><span style="color: black; "><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">My CBC result on 30 Nov 2010 (and will always be recorded in My Personal Chemotherapy Diary) :</span></span></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><span style="color: black; "><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span></o:p></span></p><ul style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Hemoglobin (HgB) – 12.0 (Previous week: 12.4 - Decrease)</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">White blood cells – 5.38 (Previous week: 5.58 - Decrease)<br /></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Platelets – 261 (Previous week: 233 - Increase)</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Weight – 52.1kg (Previous week: 53.6kg - Decrease) </span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Result = </span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "><b>PROCEED!</b></span></span></span></li></ul></span></div></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQQXSygOZVz1fUD2TDHWkXBBDRvBUKOx-gwkZ7NQS6bt6600_wx9xRvjrduJtfUbQ7rHB_MlFQTa7r6OjhrbQOjHbqX1pIMLOa4tWbbZKCyPEg8rHydoroRzmp350ZH8_2lOU/s1600/IMG_1803.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQQXSygOZVz1fUD2TDHWkXBBDRvBUKOx-gwkZ7NQS6bt6600_wx9xRvjrduJtfUbQ7rHB_MlFQTa7r6OjhrbQOjHbqX1pIMLOa4tWbbZKCyPEg8rHydoroRzmp350ZH8_2lOU/s320/IMG_1803.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559046999423509458" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ08Eqv5Np_WQwR5rWiOB-HYReOafs2V8BmEXOofMtJBTOQLsmZl2hFxaoJxaDFcHZ-dTBkkKWILHBv11j4BCC6QcGFZ8Htilx2YDq0mvgTG6Lhn1MkMN2kRN5t_RyTfhR7VQ/s1600/IMG_1806.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ08Eqv5Np_WQwR5rWiOB-HYReOafs2V8BmEXOofMtJBTOQLsmZl2hFxaoJxaDFcHZ-dTBkkKWILHBv11j4BCC6QcGFZ8Htilx2YDq0mvgTG6Lhn1MkMN2kRN5t_RyTfhR7VQ/s320/IMG_1806.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559046999951670114" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-0Io4UnocnMftqnjT9r8dfAU0kcKPks9oXE7C6q5Sgp8Q3F-hGAnTCvufVPPJMnSvNZsDrtVDNwK8eyIRmuUjrIiNXlIf3Yb0pyiIf-pVSFni2xyAMcffjq4SW3pQzMZKXQ/s1600/IMG_1807.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-0Io4UnocnMftqnjT9r8dfAU0kcKPks9oXE7C6q5Sgp8Q3F-hGAnTCvufVPPJMnSvNZsDrtVDNwK8eyIRmuUjrIiNXlIf3Yb0pyiIf-pVSFni2xyAMcffjq4SW3pQzMZKXQ/s320/IMG_1807.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559047005597981058" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMTNL1X4zSoi8Ob210MghpRsYeZeJEnsyhFRDmDNWsYadGH0i8P54jsLp-QdIityODfeElvyxoOzikmyuY_zhRuDGRwebO1Mw4Wx9ql-gXXIRUWROA7Cj_8Bh5KjrAeSUz3lA/s1600/IMG_1808.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMTNL1X4zSoi8Ob210MghpRsYeZeJEnsyhFRDmDNWsYadGH0i8P54jsLp-QdIityODfeElvyxoOzikmyuY_zhRuDGRwebO1Mw4Wx9ql-gXXIRUWROA7Cj_8Bh5KjrAeSUz3lA/s320/IMG_1808.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559047019963713842" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Sara bought me a sunflower during chemo today. Why a sunflower? In the game Plants Vs. Zombies (my official chemo game), the sunflowers are the one that produce sunshine and to get more points and energy, we have to collect all the sunshine produced.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">As she saw me feeling a bit down and uncomfortable (because of the administration of the Cisplatin - it gives me a tingling feeling 'down there'), she bought the sunflower and told me that I should 'produce a lot of sunshine and have a lot of energy'. Very thoughtful, in a kooky kind of way. Thank you my dear.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKBs0nUbwV94nEhYez1oNCfrlxOtoBkChb75_g4no1wwhvMRfcfKAH-MkhdorCl2QxlNzZjYJLvwxiPf83KsSSMpNLyTDpdhTG4kGPUJSIukz-uPt1xQZxfu3SV9ZHuxtBQyw/s1600/IMG_1812.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKBs0nUbwV94nEhYez1oNCfrlxOtoBkChb75_g4no1wwhvMRfcfKAH-MkhdorCl2QxlNzZjYJLvwxiPf83KsSSMpNLyTDpdhTG4kGPUJSIukz-uPt1xQZxfu3SV9ZHuxtBQyw/s320/IMG_1812.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559047022173589746" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSg8QK9FsWw1akegLjAxWsVIhqcQ0Bgnabf2cKgZ7xK38R3qF3VVKfbHDGAjaDncwriJr9L0J23y6Q_d9-y_uDkzdnkmQ0RNVr57mU2hAeTXHcrZ7ab2L3vVHa3X7A3QUG7sk/s1600/IMG_1820.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSg8QK9FsWw1akegLjAxWsVIhqcQ0Bgnabf2cKgZ7xK38R3qF3VVKfbHDGAjaDncwriJr9L0J23y6Q_d9-y_uDkzdnkmQ0RNVr57mU2hAeTXHcrZ7ab2L3vVHa3X7A3QUG7sk/s320/IMG_1820.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559070694453081890" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">And of course, the 'cocktail' which includes pre-medications that quell nausea magically and the bag of poison - CISPLATIN.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrDtJrOlUWz10Pe2Kwx3KisTQo87LPPz9jAezPkp-XjfhD5HfHwZXSJ69ktnCZmkDvaihNBvaqVGCEFa4dtzm4TAY8pNc08MavuX_qMnbn6sxLQFaJbUEe7yJPc5RjBe6nRb0/s1600/IMG_1815.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrDtJrOlUWz10Pe2Kwx3KisTQo87LPPz9jAezPkp-XjfhD5HfHwZXSJ69ktnCZmkDvaihNBvaqVGCEFa4dtzm4TAY8pNc08MavuX_qMnbn6sxLQFaJbUEe7yJPc5RjBe6nRb0/s320/IMG_1815.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559070678817463362" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpACeJcjjcjcI1LOcSZWhOsbeRQwaPJ7lbVeThdiAdksnSpNpIvW4JvWOjcOJGUV5ddZBMZlqwp6HXEOcuuuFcifjGomdwxpoczHpRVnF9Mxxo2HF5o0_ftZQEbq5QrQrRJE8/s1600/IMG_1814.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpACeJcjjcjcI1LOcSZWhOsbeRQwaPJ7lbVeThdiAdksnSpNpIvW4JvWOjcOJGUV5ddZBMZlqwp6HXEOcuuuFcifjGomdwxpoczHpRVnF9Mxxo2HF5o0_ftZQEbq5QrQrRJE8/s320/IMG_1814.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559070673610100482" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Mi9xdSiPWUV_iC3u6eshtxP3ajH6OXlPlMrTv9PoJK2qg8ZPZ0XrEQvimS4wCV9TW3d0EjXg01O13zarUp13t7ePP73Rgxbpwi1EAkQCRIWm0E7JHOtti-pqgcJBScDdKVU/s1600/IMG_1821.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Mi9xdSiPWUV_iC3u6eshtxP3ajH6OXlPlMrTv9PoJK2qg8ZPZ0XrEQvimS4wCV9TW3d0EjXg01O13zarUp13t7ePP73Rgxbpwi1EAkQCRIWm0E7JHOtti-pqgcJBScDdKVU/s320/IMG_1821.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559070687024167058" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVPgyliyMT1E9CRhd8GrFQ4QrqIfE2dYp7Ye9PLnhZgwuC218TGP07BN_EO_BVAgB6HKr2eYOyEf8XqAFeQKILWoZ0oWY8M3aI0J3R-dq77jzyvTmM4quTbIipKfy9mlPyvTg/s1600/IMG_1817.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVPgyliyMT1E9CRhd8GrFQ4QrqIfE2dYp7Ye9PLnhZgwuC218TGP07BN_EO_BVAgB6HKr2eYOyEf8XqAFeQKILWoZ0oWY8M3aI0J3R-dq77jzyvTmM4quTbIipKfy9mlPyvTg/s320/IMG_1817.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559070686189064178" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><u><span class="Apple-style-span">WHAT HAPPENED DURING THE WEEKEND</span></u></div><div><u><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></u></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">I'd developed a small mouth ulcer on Friday night. I treated it with Bonjela and it seemed to go away, only to come back that weekend in different places! Within a short period, I had such a bad attack of ulcers over the weekend. The ulcers seemed to be everywhere! I'd decided to wait until Monday to see Dr Kamal. It was so bloody painful! Check out the picture below. I'm very sorry if the picture (of the ulcers) is disgusting. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Vh8xAUBTvGNaGJj3ILo3z3GV9Bk1lIfsP1mrc4vr_y_oC6JJijBnbqppLWyy4bQDp_x9ut8GAKmYUU9PAji7jqKnLVn2K4BOb9hGv0NkkglHPho3YjwWHtLHaKv3Wtbx_PQ/s1600/IMG_1930.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Vh8xAUBTvGNaGJj3ILo3z3GV9Bk1lIfsP1mrc4vr_y_oC6JJijBnbqppLWyy4bQDp_x9ut8GAKmYUU9PAji7jqKnLVn2K4BOb9hGv0NkkglHPho3YjwWHtLHaKv3Wtbx_PQ/s320/IMG_1930.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559381460491470914" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /></span></span></div><div>P.S.: Thank you Nadia Suhaimi for the short but sweet catching up session at Tutti-Frutti Bukit Jelutong (Well, at that point of time, I can still eat frozen yogurt. Haha) on 1 Dec 2010. And a big thanks to my PwC colleagues - Hafizah Hamzah, Diyana Rabain, Megat, Nizam, Hafizan, Faizal Farid, Dzulfiqri and Dzulfiqar who came during the week. It really made my week!</div>AIDA MUNIRAH AZMIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09538896099832451628noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36200240.post-15727863210379131332010-11-29T12:48:00.012+08:002011-01-07T18:21:31.849+08:00WEEK 1: Radiotherapy Session 1 - 7 & Chemotherapy Cycle 1<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><b>November 19:</b> Today I went to SDMC to be “zapped” in radiotherapy, the first of 33 sessions spread over a seven-week period, daily except for weekends and public holidays. I was accompanied by Azmir for my first session. He helped cheer me up with his silly jokes while taking videos and pictures of me throughout the session. The staff were courteous and encouraging – Ms Eng, Ms Lau, Mr Choo, Rizwan etc.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This is a picture of me taken in the middle of the week (Session 4). I will try to take pictures at the beginning of every week to note any side effects to my body.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvp95gzW3kvjcL7GR-6v1IVuAXSJ6ZY2nYsLhmRxq0Kqs6-7bullnR0S_khtyyYOH_3yOMMKT3J3Clrxh1E4a-ABKxt3v64IAmxNgNDcbzUoC83apR85sKD_D_m6g8Y8zz3oY/s1600/IMG_1630.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvp95gzW3kvjcL7GR-6v1IVuAXSJ6ZY2nYsLhmRxq0Kqs6-7bullnR0S_khtyyYOH_3yOMMKT3J3Clrxh1E4a-ABKxt3v64IAmxNgNDcbzUoC83apR85sKD_D_m6g8Y8zz3oY/s320/IMG_1630.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544871049896189234" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Back view - Mid-week 1</span></div></span></span></div><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL6qOhUTpIYVIRCPs2O5fe8iisUp0Dg9w8QebQgZZMENkAyrYJOOk5UL1h_ewD4nXUNQixlzNSaYfTHaXD7v49rdjGtllg5Un5kxOtWNEGaxxah7TcgkmA-r0An_4FNoOsCI0/s1600/IMG_1629.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL6qOhUTpIYVIRCPs2O5fe8iisUp0Dg9w8QebQgZZMENkAyrYJOOk5UL1h_ewD4nXUNQixlzNSaYfTHaXD7v49rdjGtllg5Un5kxOtWNEGaxxah7TcgkmA-r0An_4FNoOsCI0/s320/IMG_1629.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544871046745224754" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></span></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: center;margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: normal; ">Front view - Mid-week 1</span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvp95gzW3kvjcL7GR-6v1IVuAXSJ6ZY2nYsLhmRxq0Kqs6-7bullnR0S_khtyyYOH_3yOMMKT3J3Clrxh1E4a-ABKxt3v64IAmxNgNDcbzUoC83apR85sKD_D_m6g8Y8zz3oY/s1600/IMG_1630.JPG"><br /></a></span></span></div><div><u><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">RADIOTHERAPY WEEK 1 (SESSION 1 – 7)</span></span></span></u></div><div><u><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span></span></span></u><s><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Session 1 – 19 November 2010<br /></span></span></span></s><s><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Session 2 – 20 November 2010<br /></span></span></span></s><s><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; ">Session 3 – 22 November 2010<br /></span></s><s><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; ">Session 4 – 23 November 2010 with Chemotherapy<br /></span></s><s><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; ">Session 5 – 24 November 2010<br /></span></s><s><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; ">Ses</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">sion 6 – 25 November 2010<br /></span></span></span></s><s><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Session 7 – 26 November 2010</span></span></span></s></div><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-add-space:auto;line-height:normal;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><u><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPEN IN THE RADIATION TREATMENT ROOM<br /></span></span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; ">My visit to the radiotherapy chamber was more or less the same: 20 minute each at most. The first week was a breeze and the treatment showed no severe side effects other than tiredness following the treatment. Dry mouth had started and I felt very thirsty - so liquids must be handy. I also experienced soreness in the throat.</span></p><span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; color: black; "><span style="color: black; "><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; color: black; "><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">First I was required to lie on the treatment tabletop. The radiotherapists then spent a lot of time aligning a green laser beam to the two “tattoo” marks on both my shoulder made during the planning stage. They measured with special rulers to the half milimetre, checking measurements they had on a Computer screen monitor both in the room and outside the treatment room at their workstations. The measurements were done in the planning stage in the Simulator Room. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; color: black; "><span style="color: black; "><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; color: black; "><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Once they got the alignment correct, they would fit in the mask and fixed it onto the treatment tabletop. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; ">There were so many masks in the room! (see picture below) </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; ">They will then leave me alone in the room for the X-ray treatment first. Outside they have a monitor of the room focused on the treatment bed; only the radiotherapist can see me in the room. After the X-ray was taken, they would come in and tell me that the Radiotherapy session will begin soon.</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbvUu0CwVRxvCHc_KalPhf0VgiWlXEmlCShAJ6n5m_cHPvUunvyJqpk8DGXaenBMrs5sY6TmItG2KR31iHrhVkcEiM6kyCMtaHGzGpHyJUKhbuTj_1y6dsuHZ54J7fXk4UpOY/s1600/IMG_1665.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbvUu0CwVRxvCHc_KalPhf0VgiWlXEmlCShAJ6n5m_cHPvUunvyJqpk8DGXaenBMrs5sY6TmItG2KR31iHrhVkcEiM6kyCMtaHGzGpHyJUKhbuTj_1y6dsuHZ54J7fXk4UpOY/s320/IMG_1665.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544924510313643842" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></span></span></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; ">I had to keep perfectly still when waiting for the radiation beam. About a minute or two after they leave the room the treatment area (my neck) receives the radiation as they coordinate their computer outside. The noise is so loud and sounds like a deep but resonating high frequency. I hardly breathe when this happens and will recite Surah Al-Inshirah repeatedly to comfort myself. This surah had been my Cancer Mantra throughout my Radiotherapy sessions. They say you don’t feel anything during the radiation beam but personally I think that on some occasions I’d felt an awareness that something was happening, like a sensation of vibrating penetration. But it does not hurt during treatment.</span></div> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; color: black; "><span style="color: black; "><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; color: black; "><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Then the radiotherapist will come back and say they are done for the day and would clean the markings they made earlier with alcohol prep pads. Sounds simple, really. </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPunV795LiKRKxXiourSBf4kzrqy19bBxlqf53Jjh2nzSPmJRs9K3SmtjmNCDNVDUXu3v2ED-zkyg0mTiVPFVlNBsZLmoAl2Eq4kKt_8z1cMCMLszpULY84rbebziTVV2w5Vs/s1600/IMG_1658.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPunV795LiKRKxXiourSBf4kzrqy19bBxlqf53Jjh2nzSPmJRs9K3SmtjmNCDNVDUXu3v2ED-zkyg0mTiVPFVlNBsZLmoAl2Eq4kKt_8z1cMCMLszpULY84rbebziTVV2w5Vs/s320/IMG_1658.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544871054287700674" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9_9kmIVv13vYFxkw3M0aeig5aIeqfrw_ofJSRMQxIgHQX49NkbWAos4MOJjD7N-KiTD6lYNDwPG59nb0-FZKePJ4jaj-Sb9nytwEPuKYNE6CCMy748vN_EqRs-29GYR6ZSgo/s1600/IMG_1662.JPG" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9_9kmIVv13vYFxkw3M0aeig5aIeqfrw_ofJSRMQxIgHQX49NkbWAos4MOJjD7N-KiTD6lYNDwPG59nb0-FZKePJ4jaj-Sb9nytwEPuKYNE6CCMy748vN_EqRs-29GYR6ZSgo/s320/IMG_1662.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544871064723320258" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></p><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmH7JH8V6C12YvoFQ36yAZ7UaMnqZIKr05_Fa3mLSXxNghDj4Vd6e_e_jDwuRLIzwAI3WC-lFqWbad185QzGQUG6VnZ04Io2-YgP_R8MRC0F1zLdiebv43RT1oQCiB_bTKxV0/s1600/IMG_1666.JPG" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmH7JH8V6C12YvoFQ36yAZ7UaMnqZIKr05_Fa3mLSXxNghDj4Vd6e_e_jDwuRLIzwAI3WC-lFqWbad185QzGQUG6VnZ04Io2-YgP_R8MRC0F1zLdiebv43RT1oQCiB_bTKxV0/s320/IMG_1666.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544871066102540450" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcesv_NJStZUr6Nx8ROK2yVR7VmjJbmKxm1ANmgboeGpkBdwcVTZON1HJVmC0C4CCRN0EpKGFG-JKTGZ1u1e8biHWPm-OumZEgY_3mu6CPUh7_isGxy9sei2WutVM83_jkoEQ/s320/IMG_1667.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544872083357073730" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL2zV5DhisZdWuafWF3A0zwHN1jr1zUGVajITc9_umLqP3pem9fnxccoXzvRwrBloSTd-nx4AqpoPML5v7C8wFX3KPHpTr9m4tHd9z-CtdX7Db123P8RYPichZs9ZBVBwrqIA/s1600/IMG_1671.JPG" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL2zV5DhisZdWuafWF3A0zwHN1jr1zUGVajITc9_umLqP3pem9fnxccoXzvRwrBloSTd-nx4AqpoPML5v7C8wFX3KPHpTr9m4tHd9z-CtdX7Db123P8RYPichZs9ZBVBwrqIA/s320/IMG_1671.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544872087575248610" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmne6bDiVOZlq6Z3M_C-dw_qBHAqrnCMFSiX-u5qCljVpb8TsR0xxiR7BJNeADsfNaA-MmGeZrQBt34Z85kc7JbBecayxD4SYv5tOGdYyQMO4iwK2lLf9mZNpXV9_97ycCsRY/s1600/IMG_1672.JPG" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmne6bDiVOZlq6Z3M_C-dw_qBHAqrnCMFSiX-u5qCljVpb8TsR0xxiR7BJNeADsfNaA-MmGeZrQBt34Z85kc7JbBecayxD4SYv5tOGdYyQMO4iwK2lLf9mZNpXV9_97ycCsRY/s320/IMG_1672.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544872117965727026" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></div><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfTfCixln3llBR3lt7mbRqYGaMTKKbUQD2oTMFz_GH48E5Ly-Cpa772WqxI1lEwlgPrG7YN8WoI3EXw5HEh0Ebb0TFc9z6WA8ZXq3zrjMInVnqGvk_0kanFrJnXmWb_lhCfI0/s1600/IMG_1674.JPG" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfTfCixln3llBR3lt7mbRqYGaMTKKbUQD2oTMFz_GH48E5Ly-Cpa772WqxI1lEwlgPrG7YN8WoI3EXw5HEh0Ebb0TFc9z6WA8ZXq3zrjMInVnqGvk_0kanFrJnXmWb_lhCfI0/s320/IMG_1674.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544872135422181058" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia; font-size: small; "><u><br /></u></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia; font-size: small; "><u>CHEMOTHERAPY CYCLE 1</u></span></span></div><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia; font-size: small; ">‘Cycle’ used to be such an innocent word for me. But with my treatment being administered in <i>cycles</i> (six of them), the word now connotes many things – ups and downs, highs and lows… and doing things over and over. Try to imagine a roller coaster with six gut-wrenching peaks and drops, and you are seated in the front for its first free-fall - that sums up exactly how I felt about chemo.</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia; font-size: small; ">Chemo is typically given in cycles, with rest periods between the cycles. This allows the cancer cells to be attacked at their most vulnerable times, and allows the body’s normal cells time to recover from the damage.</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><u>The cycle begins...</u></span></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia; font-size: small; "><b>November 23: </b>I was accompanied by Mom and Sara for my first chemotherapy session. We were at the door of the SDMC Cancer Day Care at 8am and already there was a crowd. Prior to the treatment, complete blood counts, or CBCs were performed to check the number of each type of blood cell circulating in the body. CBC notes the red blood count, platelets and white blood count. My weight was also taken as it is vital that I maintain a healthy weight throughout my treatment.</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Normal ranges for CBCs:<br /></span></span></span></p><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Hemoglobin (HgB) – Normal (Female): 12 - 16 g/dL</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">White blood cells – Normal (Female): 4-11 k/ul<br /></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Platelets – Normal: 150 to 400 ('000) cells/mm3<br /></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span">Weight</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "> – Not less than 50kg </span></li></ul><p></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><span style="color: black; "><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> My CBC result on 23 Nov 2010 (and will always be recorded in My Personal Chemotherapy Diary) :</span></span></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><span style="color: black; "><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span></o:p></span></p><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Hemoglobin (HgB) – 12.4 </span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">White blood cells – 5.58<br /></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Platelets – 233 </span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Weight – 53.6kg </span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Result = </span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b>PROCEED!</b></span></span></span></li></ul><p></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDsV8b1W6RsBEIZtrPuvBzIgVajHx7OJ7VXCtSdEyI-mxSViGaApsKak3EdpLUYssUdP859a72XuG8dG1-n3IIfcISOpov1pejetHMnHr9U-27pGVEcIr7UnnYjk9fTOaiAz8/s320/IMG_1653.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544873679856925362" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></span></span></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; ">Once getting the green light (from my CBC), Dr Kamal (my oncologist) prescribed me with an antiemetic (anti-nausea) drug: Emend. I was asked to take the 125mg capsule one hour before the start of my chemotherapy. While waiting for the treatment to start, I spent my time playing Plants Vs. Zombies on my laptop and getting to know the other patients and their caregivers. And as expected, I was the youngest in Day Care that day, no surprises there :)</span></div><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJp2iVKsrCCAKQFG1cE7DMGw8WLtVxoQ02DQ4XFZ2NeHuQ3zq4tlOyNzFFTD4-pZ9Fz7ND_FYqBo4WZDXV36KFhTJAo9rE4okN-G9fnckrNUQTj7vl64ypDENeXZcaa4TKEr8/s1600/IMG_1796.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJp2iVKsrCCAKQFG1cE7DMGw8WLtVxoQ02DQ4XFZ2NeHuQ3zq4tlOyNzFFTD4-pZ9Fz7ND_FYqBo4WZDXV36KFhTJAo9rE4okN-G9fnckrNUQTj7vl64ypDENeXZcaa4TKEr8/s320/IMG_1796.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544872142571515410" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy2GDq0f8ydOfRzhDianucV4NgQctHsJEjFRELUMQhQamlNOouiKzn_fmsMgj03uyGrqceZPm9s_ZVtAQSrr0nSSsClxPqaDQv5YpIxU6HqJuOdNVzmCDS0QuLwbQ6GdrUwy8/s1600/IMG_1797.JPG" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy2GDq0f8ydOfRzhDianucV4NgQctHsJEjFRELUMQhQamlNOouiKzn_fmsMgj03uyGrqceZPm9s_ZVtAQSrr0nSSsClxPqaDQv5YpIxU6HqJuOdNVzmCDS0QuLwbQ6GdrUwy8/s320/IMG_1797.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544872859617528882" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">By 10.30am, I went on the drip – Cisplatin (50mg) and I felt a bit emotional as the bag of ‘poison’ emptied into my veins. </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(35, 31, 32); letter-spacing: 0.1pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The procedure </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(35, 31, 32); "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">stretched to four hours because precautions were taken and the drip was adjusted to a slow speed. It turns out to be an all-day affair and it was past 5pm by the time we finished (including radiotherapy Session 4 later that day).</span></span></span></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span style="color: rgb(35, 31, 32); letter-spacing: 0.1pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3G_fYAJRhnAOoym0t2CxDgWNpsZXwTfjPVevXSGB9dWmedj15leTEI-q562Etr-FoHgquVCnadjvHB0vN8Wp__v-GT9KuUPeRldJxewqTHbun_HZrE8mVJtjPy_rnpqLaTHA/s320/IMG_1634.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544872860768140210" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></span></p></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYLsMpgHy0bsP0ws7-nnOXr3Mv2h7pAzfP20FDxJdtjtydOm4CdqbGeyEqlMVerP1Nhe64N4-3xh3eSXON8QrQhCI0g8gzMlmXwG749jVz5dj4YjPA0YY-l9VHBeTUaeZnXsA/s1600/IMG_1649.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYLsMpgHy0bsP0ws7-nnOXr3Mv2h7pAzfP20FDxJdtjtydOm4CdqbGeyEqlMVerP1Nhe64N4-3xh3eSXON8QrQhCI0g8gzMlmXwG749jVz5dj4YjPA0YY-l9VHBeTUaeZnXsA/s320/IMG_1649.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544873664494160866" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmR6FJw8VfdEjBSu_MdKuT9HcQCR1tjMUCq1LxQdx3UCEsZreK97tnCnPf9fJfFnd-W4jm9G1xd9O5Q3szTuuDFhUGowFD6yNyaN1XRJVAQtQTEaJnigH0tuXVcgRU11zTNkc/s1600/IMG_1648.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmR6FJw8VfdEjBSu_MdKuT9HcQCR1tjMUCq1LxQdx3UCEsZreK97tnCnPf9fJfFnd-W4jm9G1xd9O5Q3szTuuDFhUGowFD6yNyaN1XRJVAQtQTEaJnigH0tuXVcgRU11zTNkc/s320/IMG_1648.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544873662526742418" style="display: block; 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margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0V_nWobgKKXQ7oiTJianIthJdDqhyphenhyphendyu9oNSl4qid-agZmcdwoGp9T9AJbFUu6iIn-VQQZ3BZcPHg0v3gnCaDN5wijy_VqKCi6-RuDhgE6yi_hNY6OtMmUBu7Njp4QtQCCVk/s1600/IMG_1643.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0V_nWobgKKXQ7oiTJianIthJdDqhyphenhyphendyu9oNSl4qid-agZmcdwoGp9T9AJbFUu6iIn-VQQZ3BZcPHg0v3gnCaDN5wijy_VqKCi6-RuDhgE6yi_hNY6OtMmUBu7Njp4QtQCCVk/s320/IMG_1643.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544872865512137250" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidaRs4O_0RwIYrl0JFEQ21tloDB8rc_0uwv7s196Ge04cyOWzu2ySp9lTpsxpcZiDFVkwDUAOw5rCAjNnIb8ceA4AybIkjwjEfNuUOdJ5yblDNLHA3Q_y4vTW34I7X1gjmoRA/s1600/IMG_1652.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidaRs4O_0RwIYrl0JFEQ21tloDB8rc_0uwv7s196Ge04cyOWzu2ySp9lTpsxpcZiDFVkwDUAOw5rCAjNnIb8ceA4AybIkjwjEfNuUOdJ5yblDNLHA3Q_y4vTW34I7X1gjmoRA/s320/IMG_1652.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544873670970135394" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></span></span></span></span><div><span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidaRs4O_0RwIYrl0JFEQ21tloDB8rc_0uwv7s196Ge04cyOWzu2ySp9lTpsxpcZiDFVkwDUAOw5rCAjNnIb8ceA4AybIkjwjEfNuUOdJ5yblDNLHA3Q_y4vTW34I7X1gjmoRA/s1600/IMG_1652.JPG"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSTCTQgDMoy0b4fhOX78D3asFpaR27rsy0HXXh1dPyYn6cZKcJLtxr2XCSlWBPl01oNnRc8cjNLzK6fRXPq5nuCjWRLD5d6uKfjJDXh_esGFBSuW3lVsChiNs8veHdK8f_2Y0/s1600/IMG_1678.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSTCTQgDMoy0b4fhOX78D3asFpaR27rsy0HXXh1dPyYn6cZKcJLtxr2XCSlWBPl01oNnRc8cjNLzK6fRXPq5nuCjWRLD5d6uKfjJDXh_esGFBSuW3lVsChiNs8veHdK8f_2Y0/s320/IMG_1678.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544873702173073778" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><span style="color: rgb(35, 31, 32); "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">I was exhausted as the chemicals kicked in and slept immediately after dinner.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><span style="color: rgb(35, 31, 32); letter-spacing: 0.1pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">The first cycle felt like a breeze, until the next day when I felt like life was being drained out of me. The main challenge was to combat nausea and to continuously eat as I had really lost my appetite (the pre-cancer Aida only eats twice a day and now I have to eat 5x a day!). I am grateful that I have my loved ones to go through this ordeal. I wouldn’t have the courage to go through this alone.</span></span></span></p></div></span></span></span></span><p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-add-space:auto;line-height:normal;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span></span></span></p></div>AIDA MUNIRAH AZMIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09538896099832451628noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36200240.post-4334153307608476522010-11-10T18:11:00.011+08:002010-11-17T10:02:54.282+08:00Treatment Stage - Radiotherapy Planning<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGMWDjMYFFey7fJowT0DLsAUgRYS4flQeCSNVyGaO9j3iBzjO7xw7oblS-b9iqmfsMkSO8GlB9CyqiXbt2i32XxXAYKXUHxVyvA1oi9Q5gUXyHSZzUj99lFMnkTs1jXoug8pc/s1600/IMG_1264.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-WHFpFA4PWSAOL0Gql_nxFYwY8w6Bg53EDNpJHoU0LbWBqMbZ5P1HxbDBTup3tqeGfBS-gm_cY4eM2IbYRZAJJ57IAbgkhuqvVsv-ghG1Gl2tr6DPxHjYS8smjulAZIVBKa8/s1600/IMG_1255.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-WHFpFA4PWSAOL0Gql_nxFYwY8w6Bg53EDNpJHoU0LbWBqMbZ5P1HxbDBTup3tqeGfBS-gm_cY4eM2IbYRZAJJ57IAbgkhuqvVsv-ghG1Gl2tr6DPxHjYS8smjulAZIVBKa8/s320/IMG_1255.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538211579107429394" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-cywubhwHEhyphenhyphenDUzpSojA8vLO94OZ_9mbXBwrM37sADidKJzMjl7cuzCClqA8d3LkzlupOID45EUiXN9HnS-pIzI3CKXehr_W4xo74iqtczBPPNjoRvXhbIw_peYmA8qfuoXc/s1600/IMG_1256.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-cywubhwHEhyphenhyphenDUzpSojA8vLO94OZ_9mbXBwrM37sADidKJzMjl7cuzCClqA8d3LkzlupOID45EUiXN9HnS-pIzI3CKXehr_W4xo74iqtczBPPNjoRvXhbIw_peYmA8qfuoXc/s320/IMG_1256.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538211567935483698" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b style="font-size: small; ">November 3:</b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> Today was my first visit with Mom to the oncologist, Dr Kamal upon referral from Dr Amin. (Apparently Dr Ahmad Kamal Mohamed – Consultant Clinical Oncologist and Radiotherapist of Sime Darby Medical Centre Subang Jaya was Dr Amin’ senior back in his UKM days). Upon learning of my case, Dr Kamal had suggested the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: normal; font-size: 16px; "><em><span style="line-height: 18px; font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span">TomoTherapy</span></span></span></em><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span">®</span></span></span></span></span>-based IMRT (Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy) with concurrent cisplatin chemotherapy, he felt very strong about it - to reduce the chance of recurrence. Plus, there's only so many operation one neck can sustain (and I had two already!) - it's best to do everything to avoid having to have any more. I was shocked to hear the word ‘<i>chemo</i>’. </span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">He advised us that some had refused it and had done okay, but that I would possibly always wonder if I should have; especially if there was a recurrence later on. </span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span">He explained that the rationale for combining chemotherapy and radiotherapy is because the chemotherapy acts as a sensitizer to the radiotherapy by sterilizing micrometastatic disease outside of the radiation fields and decreasing any tumour mass, which leads to improved blood supply and reoxygenation. </span></span></span></span><em><span style="line-height: 115%; font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomotherapy">TomoTherapy</a></span></span></span></em><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomotherapy">®</a> is a very new treatment and not widely available in Malaysia -</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"> there are only TWO treatment centre in Malaysia – Prince Court Medical Centre and Sime Darby Medical Centre. Guess we are at the right place!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; ">Radiotherapy primarily works by damaging the DNA of cancer cells. It is often used as an adjuvant to surgery in the head and neck area to treat areas at high risk for disease spread. It is particularly effective in sterilizing small numbers of tumour cells left behind after surgery. While there have been no randomized trials that directly test how effective this adjuvant treatment is, there is <a href="http://www.rare-cancer.org/adenoid-cystic-carcinoma/lararad.html">historical data</a> that shows for properly selected patients, it reduces the risk of the tumor recurring.</span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span">I’d told Dr Kamal about my ICAEW exam this December and asked him whether it is possible for me to sit for the exams. He advised me not to; as the side effects of radiotherapy will only be felt in the second week onwards. So as for now, I am still undecided on the papers I will take this December. My radiotherapy is scheduled to start on November 18 (a day after Raya Haji, thank God!) for 30 sessions every day (excluding weekends). Phew, what a way to end 2010! I was asked to come again next Monday for my Radiotherapy planning.</span></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>November 8:</b> Mom, Dad and Sara accompanied me to my Radiotherapy Planning at SDMC today. The radiotherapy assistant, Miss Eng greeted us and explained what will occur during the planning session and told me that from now on, she will be with me through my anxiety-filled first week all the way up to my bittersweet final week. Her remark puts a smile on my face. Later, I was given my very own personal radiotherapy diary to record all my 30 sessions of radiotherapy.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: normal; font-size: 16px; "></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 18px; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: normal; font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7k_GHDh6WXABieYi2we1SIxBiHlXFh2Cbdis0P4k3ncABrd5Qn0C_bQ3nygy4VcxFZD2ZW-h4HBkFxWAbJbPmKwFP4BX4FQEXOFHdV0IOM8TLkgRmEAmmK9XhbcUogovXB2w/s320/IMG_1269.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538216251948248338" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><div><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 18px; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: normal; font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><div><span class="apple-style-span"><span><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyobB3OwP2KtFdD8Zu4npS4-9Ck8d9idxvI5OsrX_vb054H7J-MYX_q1hTK0CKq30YR__JYhpls2nbDi1LiSxKQhKUhaGSx2Kiw7siY_SL4oul50SiLt6AoewVsuEUQnoS_zg/s1600/IMG_1252.JPG" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyobB3OwP2KtFdD8Zu4npS4-9Ck8d9idxvI5OsrX_vb054H7J-MYX_q1hTK0CKq30YR__JYhpls2nbDi1LiSxKQhKUhaGSx2Kiw7siY_SL4oul50SiLt6AoewVsuEUQnoS_zg/s320/IMG_1252.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538211590033832002" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span></span></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><p></p><span class="apple-style-span"><span><span class="Apple-style-span"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhncl_66voA-Yo2TlW_WtLhefGOW-_xdEo7K9-dD30Z4hP5TbDpijMCA3VEToeqPvBQbP7lK8ZShzJu8ngnGMPqZBsawKn6tNKnEjehYVUcljAiV2YYwOBvB1aA5P_BiWl2mb8/s320/IMG_1253.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538211584406344626" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><i>The picture above was taken in front of the Cancer & Radiosurgery Centre. Anyway, I have a funny story to share. Or rather, an ironic one. Few months ago, back in August 2010, I was in the Sime Darby Medical Centre Subang Jaya Sdn Bhd audit team, auditing the hospital for almost two months. During the time, I had to perform a physical sighting on the hospital' newly acquired equipments. So there I was, selecting samples to sight and of course I had chosen the very expensive </i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><i>TomoTherapy® Hi-Art treatment system as one of my sample - it cost SDMC a whooping RM15 million! So being the auditor that I am, browsing through </i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i>TomoTherapy® Hi-Art' </i></span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><i>capital expenditure request form, board minutes approval for the purchase, etc., I wondered why do they need such an expensive machine, it's going to be obsolete anyway in the near future. Well, now I know why...... :)</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">The planning session today is a very important part of radiotherapy as careful planning ensures the radiotherapy rays are aimed precisely at the cancer and cause the least possible damage to the surrounding healthy tissues. The planning was done by a senior <a href="http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Cancerinformation/Cancertreatment/Treatmenttypes/Radiotherapy/Beingtreated/Staff.aspx#DynamicJumpMenuManager_6_Anchor_2">therapy radiographer</a>, Miss Lau.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span">During the treatment planning, I was asked to lie on a fairly hard table in the Simulator Room. Miss Eng and another radiotherapy assistant, Rizwan helped adjusted my head rest and asked me every now and then whether or not I felt uncomfortable. Then I had to lie VERY still on the Simulator for a few minutes so that accurate measurements can be taken and my exact position was recorded; they’d made a few marks on my face, neck and shoulder with permanent marker ink. It felt as if I'm doing planning for cosmetic surgery!</span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; font-size: 16px; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJgry_WQZKej8uX5hzw7NKHq3eXM1x92Tt63LtpEZW8L57pNIuqfZGrIov-kHEpVgZOi1m07TfVi2PFSFat9FZVWr8r6f5nebR82SSUO6OZq52q0qNpje8WXVttpgQJh1bxY/s1600/IMG_1261.JPG" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJgry_WQZKej8uX5hzw7NKHq3eXM1x92Tt63LtpEZW8L57pNIuqfZGrIov-kHEpVgZOi1m07TfVi2PFSFat9FZVWr8r6f5nebR82SSUO6OZq52q0qNpje8WXVttpgQJh1bxY/s320/IMG_1261.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538215370947417314" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJgry_WQZKej8uX5hzw7NKHq3eXM1x92Tt63LtpEZW8L57pNIuqfZGrIov-kHEpVgZOi1m07TfVi2PFSFat9FZVWr8r6f5nebR82SSUO6OZq52q0qNpje8WXVttpgQJh1bxY/s1600/IMG_1261.JPG" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></a></span></span></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: left; "><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Me in the Simulator Room.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGMWDjMYFFey7fJowT0DLsAUgRYS4flQeCSNVyGaO9j3iBzjO7xw7oblS-b9iqmfsMkSO8GlB9CyqiXbt2i32XxXAYKXUHxVyvA1oi9Q5gUXyHSZzUj99lFMnkTs1jXoug8pc/s1600/IMG_1264.JPG" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGMWDjMYFFey7fJowT0DLsAUgRYS4flQeCSNVyGaO9j3iBzjO7xw7oblS-b9iqmfsMkSO8GlB9CyqiXbt2i32XxXAYKXUHxVyvA1oi9Q5gUXyHSZzUj99lFMnkTs1jXoug8pc/s320/IMG_1264.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538216259789110674" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">With Miss Lau - Senior Therapy Radiographer.</span></span></span></span></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; ">It is important that I lie still during the treatment, even more important in the case of head and neck area. This is because even a tiny movement could change the area that gets treated. To help ensure that I am positioned in exactly the same place every time I am treated, a radiotherapy mask is custom-made for me to be worn during the treatment as it reduces the possibility of any movement while radiotherapy is given. The mask will be placed on my face and fixed to the table so that my head doesn’t move during the radiotherapy. Before the mask can be made, my head/neck position was checked on the Simulator. Once my head position had been confirmed the mask was made in the Mould Room by Miss Lau.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; ">The mask was made from clear plastic and covered my head, face and shoulders during the treatment. This technique uses a special kind of plastic. The plastic was heated in warm water so that it becomes soft and pliable. I was asked to lie in the same position I’d adopted in the Simulator and then the warm, wet, perforated plastic was put onto my face and pressed into the contours of my face. There were 4 people in the room (including Miss Lau and Miss Eng) making sure that the mask was fixed onto the treatment tabletop and fitted into the contours and around the desired area. A hole for my mouth was made – I was able to breathe normally, though I do feel anxious and worried about the procedure (but still I need to put a mouthpiece, which was moulded by Miss Lau into my mouth every time I go for treatment). The mask was then left for a short time to cool (approximately 15 minutes) and after the mask became hard, it was then removed. Voila! Now I have a mask that is ready to be used when I have my treatment.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "></span></span></p><div style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="apple-style-span"><span><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYyYR8WNLvK5ej2OIeE36K_-S6ie5bfsuYTI961-HPcHK-ax7Wlfpe5gYD-8cZ9NnmDiGJ6v7nrjEVUiRdnEiGZS4aaSBG3F7yaAqptINntrzWuj9imlr67GQdp-f8g7Jelxg/s1600/IMG_1263.JPG" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYyYR8WNLvK5ej2OIeE36K_-S6ie5bfsuYTI961-HPcHK-ax7Wlfpe5gYD-8cZ9NnmDiGJ6v7nrjEVUiRdnEiGZS4aaSBG3F7yaAqptINntrzWuj9imlr67GQdp-f8g7Jelxg/s320/IMG_1263.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538215366518767170" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="apple-style-span"><span><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYyYR8WNLvK5ej2OIeE36K_-S6ie5bfsuYTI961-HPcHK-ax7Wlfpe5gYD-8cZ9NnmDiGJ6v7nrjEVUiRdnEiGZS4aaSBG3F7yaAqptINntrzWuj9imlr67GQdp-f8g7Jelxg/s1600/IMG_1263.JPG" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></a><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">My mouthpiece with my teeth markings.</span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7k_GHDh6WXABieYi2we1SIxBiHlXFh2Cbdis0P4k3ncABrd5Qn0C_bQ3nygy4VcxFZD2ZW-h4HBkFxWAbJbPmKwFP4BX4FQEXOFHdV0IOM8TLkgRmEAmmK9XhbcUogovXB2w/s1600/IMG_1269.JPG" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfESd0m08X9jg68yuAwubn7eqo3ceAfRt5i6-LLjOCEka28g6qwTSY1HG0Dt42UIUNUb_P2KxPNiGwBHmAOzv39k7oD1OdigEJ5JJl71DiRADzhS44AEKgxotbzxUvAN7Z3Uk/s1600/IMG_1258.JPG" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfESd0m08X9jg68yuAwubn7eqo3ceAfRt5i6-LLjOCEka28g6qwTSY1HG0Dt42UIUNUb_P2KxPNiGwBHmAOzv39k7oD1OdigEJ5JJl71DiRADzhS44AEKgxotbzxUvAN7Z3Uk/s320/IMG_1258.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538215388225574018" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1CcwybQdfmUUBLCOFwwmOMdYg4QlZy6b1MH-O4lty1QiKDwcLtieGZv72wfTcIllcMM7-lxGq7FYwPXP8z5-uuR99OQcRmoPfL1dt3JEXofCFjjNeKtxDoc3k3frGzQLFcYo/s1600/IMG_1259.JPG" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1CcwybQdfmUUBLCOFwwmOMdYg4QlZy6b1MH-O4lty1QiKDwcLtieGZv72wfTcIllcMM7-lxGq7FYwPXP8z5-uuR99OQcRmoPfL1dt3JEXofCFjjNeKtxDoc3k3frGzQLFcYo/s320/IMG_1259.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538215378438913906" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="apple-style-span" style="line-height: 115%; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1CcwybQdfmUUBLCOFwwmOMdYg4QlZy6b1MH-O4lty1QiKDwcLtieGZv72wfTcIllcMM7-lxGq7FYwPXP8z5-uuR99OQcRmoPfL1dt3JEXofCFjjNeKtxDoc3k3frGzQLFcYo/s1600/IMG_1259.JPG" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></a></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">My cool, custom-made mask!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="apple-style-span"><span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdkWMtfJr96-zNapJI6WE_I2L0IRyTeiAFdfzHrM6Yv5wP288O_VlO8VOyL2uguR8ueMqjl2ABjB1hJlrINbgSvKCP8ZjgSyTsZ8Z7pJJN6wkXj11fxZdfY3hyphenhyphenKFccciCKojk/s320/IMG_1257.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538211565218603602" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;line-height: 115%; "><span class="apple-style-span"><span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In goes the mouthpiece.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;line-height: 115%; "><span class="apple-style-span"><span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="apple-style-span"><span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJHK54bwFtaVxDUnbTN_pLUFbl3469Kg0nJM4n5Y_CtJtsO_4Fq9nBNTmTl6vUcp-p7rkPJndGdCglAyKQmCHywUtMSqjD_jUoee-VnmA8UP4Nkv-xjMHulIs41sRrvhyphenhyphenUE4/s1600/IMG_1260.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJHK54bwFtaVxDUnbTN_pLUFbl3469Kg0nJM4n5Y_CtJtsO_4Fq9nBNTmTl6vUcp-p7rkPJndGdCglAyKQmCHywUtMSqjD_jUoee-VnmA8UP4Nkv-xjMHulIs41sRrvhyphenhyphenUE4/s320/IMG_1260.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538215377256049042" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></span></span></span><br /></div><div style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; ">After that, Miss Lau made two “tattoo” marks on both my shoulder. These were permanent, but they are the size of a pinpoint (it looks like a mole!). According to her, this was a good way of making sure that my body is symmetrical and aligned correctly for treatment.</span></div><p style="line-height: 115%; "></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">All in all, the whole procedure took around two hours and was painless though it was quite messy.</span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Before I left, I was given my next appointment schedule: November 18, 2010 – My first radiotherapy session!</span></span></span></p></span></span></span><div><span class="apple-style-span"><span><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyobB3OwP2KtFdD8Zu4npS4-9Ck8d9idxvI5OsrX_vb054H7J-MYX_q1hTK0CKq30YR__JYhpls2nbDi1LiSxKQhKUhaGSx2Kiw7siY_SL4oul50SiLt6AoewVsuEUQnoS_zg/s1600/IMG_1252.JPG" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></a></span></span></span><br /></div><div><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: normal; font-size: 16px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5_796_XqqYcrRPD7OJAKOr0c2wvP0xl18UaoKMhYqI19ypVvGcGsxLrP2EMzdF9DF_XQf7JMQaiqREMXAp5HApFUUcY2DIDjlup0hDqQ2Ij0V01o4rNyIMOwThhTZh6WSwo/s320/IMG_1267.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538216255021032882" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">After the Planning session - mask marks on my forehead.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><p></p>AIDA MUNIRAH AZMIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09538896099832451628noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36200240.post-46152653634531596832010-11-09T11:05:00.003+08:002010-11-10T18:13:18.575+08:00The Terry Fox Run 2010<div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span">November 7:</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span"> The famous <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Fox_Run">Terry Fox Run</a> was here in Malaysia and was held at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa, marking its 30<sup>th</sup> Anniversary in raising fund for cancer research. All the proceeds will go to <a href="http://www.carif.com.my/main.htm">Cancer Research Initiatives Foundation (CARIF)</a> to fund cancer research in Malaysia. Go CARIF! It was so simple to join - buy the t-shirt and wear it during the run. I bought mine for RM25 at Sime Darby Medical Centre - Cancer & Radiosurgery Centre. The best thing about the t-shirt are the inspiring and empowering messages emblazoned on it - this year it's "Working Together to Outrun Cancer".</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; line-height: 18px; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: normal; font-size: 16px; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFulVVGPA-EoOw347pdVh4dPHzN2r8ryUXNLu_rbvlyFsgPWWDA6R0YeMzuKxuNHX9aB_iW3j8XR5fct63oaqIYoI8hDsLlVxG1XO4rOjZYAQIzWg63Rf0rciOXmoXmWemP1o/s1600/DSC_0793.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFulVVGPA-EoOw347pdVh4dPHzN2r8ryUXNLu_rbvlyFsgPWWDA6R0YeMzuKxuNHX9aB_iW3j8XR5fct63oaqIYoI8hDsLlVxG1XO4rOjZYAQIzWg63Rf0rciOXmoXmWemP1o/s320/DSC_0793.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537820240882596178" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiap7Gkpmw1BAwrNSaaF1uI_aXPudLSgW1qd1Ng3sjROmMQdtV-8MBXQISIxr6nTNkJlVpdm9z_zf4I36r09cfwBsKkaURPESRWMyZv80eecSy5emG7_vHAHZRFY-0OX7ZAI8M/s1600/IMG_1124.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiap7Gkpmw1BAwrNSaaF1uI_aXPudLSgW1qd1Ng3sjROmMQdtV-8MBXQISIxr6nTNkJlVpdm9z_zf4I36r09cfwBsKkaURPESRWMyZv80eecSy5emG7_vHAHZRFY-0OX7ZAI8M/s320/IMG_1124.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537820239461550466" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 18px; ">This was my second race; the first time was 15 years ago, back in 1995. So many things had changed along the way, just look at me back then! </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 18px; ">I wore an oversized t-shirt and green PNB cap on November 12, 1995:</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 21px; "><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 18px; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: normal; font-size: 16px; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdtplGeK9A49_ntY4xQDMrfPGPXu9OSeZE937NNdwGVKF4xW9nrCiMKhzrlMLKcN-mUncQ4MBwVflpgxja5lIJLmf6W1sDlRWET1HCpAe5xNFbpaVpU1HEU2Ayay8JgMmEtR8/s1600/scan0010.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdtplGeK9A49_ntY4xQDMrfPGPXu9OSeZE937NNdwGVKF4xW9nrCiMKhzrlMLKcN-mUncQ4MBwVflpgxja5lIJLmf6W1sDlRWET1HCpAe5xNFbpaVpU1HEU2Ayay8JgMmEtR8/s320/scan0010.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537782193705121106" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 221px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgn0o9EHaCs2E79f9ehFK4yOE9_QRsqHWclJHfrvH2-3pocBTlnLsd2c8m7R2Uwi7D6lz04BeBia37-DuefoZcPpUJU-zH4_0pePPhWHvkmufXY-jOpixc4x15TQX5TZA2rhk/s1600/scan0011.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgn0o9EHaCs2E79f9ehFK4yOE9_QRsqHWclJHfrvH2-3pocBTlnLsd2c8m7R2Uwi7D6lz04BeBia37-DuefoZcPpUJU-zH4_0pePPhWHvkmufXY-jOpixc4x15TQX5TZA2rhk/s320/scan0011.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537782189667445906" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 225px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqumC6d9t1OK0-w3cA8g1UQuyEHa8nUZ8q4AOfS-xAbsgD21PBBEnq_HglsXIZY0dB6opM4QFvToTc1jKVFsn5Qk8OL1mdZKTg-uN4lvKRN1HT_FstxmipnX8eUvhWoR-cWsY/s1600/scan0012.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqumC6d9t1OK0-w3cA8g1UQuyEHa8nUZ8q4AOfS-xAbsgD21PBBEnq_HglsXIZY0dB6opM4QFvToTc1jKVFsn5Qk8OL1mdZKTg-uN4lvKRN1HT_FstxmipnX8eUvhWoR-cWsY/s320/scan0012.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537782181871032306" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 226px; " /></a></span></span></span></span></span></p><div><span class="apple-style-span"><span><span class="Apple-style-span"><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: 18px; "><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 18px; color: black; "></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: 18px; "><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 18px; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span">It was a very fun family outing. There were so many people! While others run, bike, skate or roller-blade around the course, we'd decided to walk. It is good to see everyone joining hands in raising cancer awareness in Malaysia. My neck was still stiff from the surgery and it was a bit difficult to stretch during the warm-up session, but I will not let it dampen my spirit and deter me from completing the course!</span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: 18px; "><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 18px; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; font-size: 16px; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNrSjVNk5PVGDFl4Zx_E5q5i0WgBT_kWP54QE20g-K3EFdVGgu6UVg9mX8ZjNFYiLBzvj_0ImKg_nxOXeekhqU1pmDFhkZTeCp_Ge_dEuo7Y2tf5gV36qAhj1hLfDLJYGoLuU/s1600/DSC_0681.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNrSjVNk5PVGDFl4Zx_E5q5i0WgBT_kWP54QE20g-K3EFdVGgu6UVg9mX8ZjNFYiLBzvj_0ImKg_nxOXeekhqU1pmDFhkZTeCp_Ge_dEuo7Y2tf5gV36qAhj1hLfDLJYGoLuU/s320/DSC_0681.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537820229833024226" style="display: block; 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margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinM-r1DeWKo2tNpXc00DUvCIyzbC-NmNMaUisFnGWPZNcIgGYeyHB_FQrqP9gHe6IYb5sVpZBfg9Y8YN-yZmuw79_VVs8b2UTi8Ll4pNlwe5W4HpQyy3x9_OXTeQe8p6ZV__w/s1600/IMG_1191.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinM-r1DeWKo2tNpXc00DUvCIyzbC-NmNMaUisFnGWPZNcIgGYeyHB_FQrqP9gHe6IYb5sVpZBfg9Y8YN-yZmuw79_VVs8b2UTi8Ll4pNlwe5W4HpQyy3x9_OXTeQe8p6ZV__w/s320/IMG_1191.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537822009602392882" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXMI9JUNNPHawMcEBX9HEkjdKPPAPRpg8e3CzTZpxS7vEu6YdJVjjjFjbVJJcz7P0SLscywSLx1SFEzE4k-TrvVKlJgoHKEQCo-kVlJoq5_J6-j4bllcWddJSwSTpzVoFd22M/s1600/IMG_1192.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXMI9JUNNPHawMcEBX9HEkjdKPPAPRpg8e3CzTZpxS7vEu6YdJVjjjFjbVJJcz7P0SLscywSLx1SFEzE4k-TrvVKlJgoHKEQCo-kVlJoq5_J6-j4bllcWddJSwSTpzVoFd22M/s320/IMG_1192.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537821998879290098" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZ-hxzXOlmvn1pZ5hwi9k-BXc8kn58MmSDYIqEjBZmyMCjertWU2j3Zi0TyxqGUQLrRM1UYoO35Kjzo53ebPCpB06hHNVovmUN2ff0nRKbFB3JWzS7KXda2RI-hbFK0pgjpk/s1600/DSC_0736.JPG"></a></span></u></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><br /></span></u></span></div><div style="color: black; line-height: 18px; "><u><span style="line-height: 18px; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span">History of the run:</span></span></span></u></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: 18px; "><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 18px; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Terry Fox was 18 years old when he was diagnosed with bone cancer. His right leg was amputated above the knee, yet he managed to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research. He called his journey the “Marathon of Hope”. Terry Fox died at the age of 21 but before he died, he knew that a fund-raising event would be held each year, with the same objectives as the “Marathon of Hope” – to help find a cure for cancer.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: 18px; "><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 18px; color: black; "></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; "><i>“Even though I’m not running anymore, we still have to try to find a cure for cancer. Other people should go ahead and try to do their own thing now” – Terry Fox.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span">I will definitely join the run again next year! Join me?</span></span></p></span></span></span></div></span>AIDA MUNIRAH AZMIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09538896099832451628noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36200240.post-18678215276728317672010-11-09T10:45:00.010+08:002010-11-10T18:18:26.110+08:00Recuperating from Surgery<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><div><span class="apple-style-span"><span><span class="Apple-style-span"><p style="color: black; line-height: 115%; "></p></span></span></span></div></span>AIDA MUNIRAH AZMIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09538896099832451628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36200240.post-35407678728682889432010-11-09T10:42:00.009+08:002010-11-10T16:20:51.595+08:00Second Operation - Modified Radical Neck Dissection<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 18px; ">I was told by my family that I was more calm and composed during my second surgery (though it’s going to be more intense) as compared to the surgery I had in less than a month ago. My advice to you is this: (1) a positive attitude is the best way to approach ANY surgery; keep an open mind about what to expect after the surgery to lessen fears. (2) Have confidence in your surgeon. (3) Most importantly, <u><i>have faith in God</i></u><i>.</i></span></div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>October 14:</b> Dr Amin wanted me to do an MRI Scan (of the neck and brain) before the surgery. The MRI Scan is even scarier because I was confined to a small space; the whole procedure took me 45 minutes each. I lie inside a large cylinder (like a 1.5 meters long tunnel) and I was asked to wear a mask and it was a little uncomfortable lying still with the mask on. An injection of a special contrast dye was given into my bloodstream. The radiographer sits in the control room next to the scanner with Mom and observes through the window. The scanner made a loud banging noise while it was working so I was given a headphone to listen to the radio (Hitz.fm) to block out part of the noise and to help me relax. The song that was playing on air when I finished my session was Kris Allen' Live Like You're Dying. It felt as if the radio was trying to send me a message - to live like you're dying. I couldn't agree more.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; font-size: 16px; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggokhEQcaafsBmPKrG7yodl-iGLN1ShT4pl8ud-v3VrODaBxRr3LVer14FMsfc4PT8BMlDzp5huNA_RNXXLjV4NHTccX19MAVqfJY7b_XfumQilJNPJYivwKb67KYPV8y3_mQ/s1600/IMG_0599.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggokhEQcaafsBmPKrG7yodl-iGLN1ShT4pl8ud-v3VrODaBxRr3LVer14FMsfc4PT8BMlDzp5huNA_RNXXLjV4NHTccX19MAVqfJY7b_XfumQilJNPJYivwKb67KYPV8y3_mQ/s320/IMG_0599.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537647662053310706" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsHoent5rmX7DspyIcUOKj3ksnJqdNMkiwHXrl7VJVQk5LLhdgfxkhw0Oa4fbDdfW1e8my8Xqk8zeUOrZ8Rt6_qX8BxuTtWWFgcyJNdKRCsKEWtuApewt6lNFXhqgfX2yiLkQ/s1600/IMG_0604.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsHoent5rmX7DspyIcUOKj3ksnJqdNMkiwHXrl7VJVQk5LLhdgfxkhw0Oa4fbDdfW1e8my8Xqk8zeUOrZ8Rt6_qX8BxuTtWWFgcyJNdKRCsKEWtuApewt6lNFXhqgfX2yiLkQ/s320/IMG_0604.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537647656779284674" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibDEu-dW0NO8XYzZz56CERTVdwpgYT5wir5atEmVrnaYApzyS58ZHM1SnWEwoKjUo9LnyWU1-dJR8jDnvqVGScuP9uxYLEFr4POxXHa74rzUzTBsJY0MULBQO2zCeOwjLud5w/s1600/IMG_0601.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibDEu-dW0NO8XYzZz56CERTVdwpgYT5wir5atEmVrnaYApzyS58ZHM1SnWEwoKjUo9LnyWU1-dJR8jDnvqVGScuP9uxYLEFr4POxXHa74rzUzTBsJY0MULBQO2zCeOwjLud5w/s320/IMG_0601.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537647650833129218" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeJdYXqPHOyHlM-Ilq6D4DFnrMg8a8Zp5IJB33WaxAM7v288kt5a8IYZLeKgC4cgnXF_jLtaelBxC2RIKqZ94L846CR4q0SZQXmXejIsYbQCulPKU1wobA-ULnT-1c4EY0hpg/s1600/IMG_0605.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeJdYXqPHOyHlM-Ilq6D4DFnrMg8a8Zp5IJB33WaxAM7v288kt5a8IYZLeKgC4cgnXF_jLtaelBxC2RIKqZ94L846CR4q0SZQXmXejIsYbQCulPKU1wobA-ULnT-1c4EY0hpg/s320/IMG_0605.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537647644754036066" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHJ-rxZ14ihwE9tql1wM4g8NWPYxc-rXSoo_eL7FyUCsRboGALasTnGXp0qF5cq_y2L8gUTl3pZlCpRpD5x6nFRw9T0MNRuV7eEh3xxKali4x3f-MzCcuopPvTElqmExutHd8/s1600/IMG_0609.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHJ-rxZ14ihwE9tql1wM4g8NWPYxc-rXSoo_eL7FyUCsRboGALasTnGXp0qF5cq_y2L8gUTl3pZlCpRpD5x6nFRw9T0MNRuV7eEh3xxKali4x3f-MzCcuopPvTElqmExutHd8/s320/IMG_0609.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537647641354128114" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span></span></span></p><div><span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0m7Ls0D-i8SwLVwWIe7PWX5AaFhS23SAAUZ1Bb8ZrEClDoSGNr5ht608hbu_uXtaD5aXSremnz1sI9hdZoVUeQNMx5fr24hSCMjr9MLpBSHdtZ0evu_O8QYlP3vuaJvVFp_k/s1600/IMG_0613.JPG" style="color: black; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0m7Ls0D-i8SwLVwWIe7PWX5AaFhS23SAAUZ1Bb8ZrEClDoSGNr5ht608hbu_uXtaD5aXSremnz1sI9hdZoVUeQNMx5fr24hSCMjr9MLpBSHdtZ0evu_O8QYlP3vuaJvVFp_k/s320/IMG_0613.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537648036867795666" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-family: georgia; ">It turned out that the results were very encouraging – No trace of cancer detected in both neck and brain. There was also NO recurrent tumour detected in the right submandibular gland, only soft tissue oedema from previous surgery. This was excellent news (well, at least for me) but Dr Amin still wanted to do the operation as originally planned</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;">.</span></span></span></div></span></span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; font-size: 16px; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSPmWGy7hfbKVmoqFmQ66G6FhwXkauA-_gorX-fWQtlUVlLma14k4NE84KRFGjQme9GTQsMIlDvOxJomWdFz94RCj15ifsIXSf5j2-zpEQ8FM-J9O5CGNhr7NHWovE0vqeY80/s1600/IMG_0612.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSPmWGy7hfbKVmoqFmQ66G6FhwXkauA-_gorX-fWQtlUVlLma14k4NE84KRFGjQme9GTQsMIlDvOxJomWdFz94RCj15ifsIXSf5j2-zpEQ8FM-J9O5CGNhr7NHWovE0vqeY80/s320/IMG_0612.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537648029890269570" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">i) <u>MRI of Brain</u></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><u>Report</u></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; font-size: small;">"NO focal cerebral lesion seen. The ventricular system and basal cistern appear <i>normal</i>. Brainstem and cerebellum appear <i>normal"</i>.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: normal; color: rgb(25, 25, 25); "><u><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">Radiologist Impression:</span></span></span></u></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: normal; color: rgb(25, 25, 25); "><u><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span></span></u></span>"<i>Normal </i>examination".</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; font-size: small;">ii) <u>MRI of Neck</u></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; font-size: small;"><u>Report</u></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-family: georgia; "><u></u>"Right submandibular gland has been excised. There is NO </span><i style="font-size: small; font-family: georgia; ">recurrent</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-family: georgia; "> mass lesion in the right submandibular bed. Residual soft tissue </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edema" style="font-size: small; font-family: georgia; ">oedema</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-family: georgia; "> in right submandibular bed and adjacent right lateral pterygoid muscle. Multiple enlarged lymph nodes, the largest node measures 1.3 x 1cm. The </span><i style="font-size: small; font-family: georgia; ">left</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-family: georgia; "> submandibular gland and both parotid gland appear </span><i style="font-size: small; font-family: georgia; ">normal</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span">. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Nasopharynx, orophyarnx, larynx and trachea appear <i>normal</i>”.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: normal; color: rgb(25, 25, 25); "><u><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">Radiologist Impression:</span></span></span></u></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: normal; color: rgb(25, 25, 25); ">"Residual oedema in right submandibular bed and pterygoid muscle from previous surgery. NO evidence of <i>recurrent</i> tumour detected in right submandibular bed associated with reactive right and left cervical lymph nodes".</span></span></span></span></p>AIDA MUNIRAH AZMIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09538896099832451628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36200240.post-91554369373733129462010-11-06T09:33:00.014+08:002010-11-10T16:25:30.680+08:00"Sorry Aida, You Have Cancer"<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 18px; ">Now that my surgery was done, I had expected to be able to enjoy my food again. Of course, this did not happen immediately and I was very disappointed. The problem was that I had expected to open my mouth like usual, to chew like usual, to be back at 100 per cent, but this is not possible. When I’d realized that and scaled down my expectations to 70 per cent, eating was no longer a big problem.</span></div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><b style="font-size: small; ">September 29:</b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; color: black; "> I really look forward to see Dr Amin to remove the blue stitches hanging out from my surgery wound; 12 stitches altogether. As I reached Dr Amin’ consulting room with Sara, he greeted us and began talking. “How are you feeling?... Parents mana?... Results back… unusual… very rare…quite unexpected… Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma… malignant… slow-growing... lain kali datang dengan parents… <i><b>Sorry Aida, </b></i></span><b style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>you have cancer</i></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; color: black; ">”.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">The news came as a shock to me! I did not expect to hear this from him; I wasn’t prepared for this moment. The good news was that my cancer was slow-growing and curable, inshaAllah. But I have to trust Dr Amin. Primary treatment for this cancer is surgical removal with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clean_margin">clean margin</a>. This can be challenging due to the nature of the cancer that spread along nerve tracts. </span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; line-height: 18px; ">So now, I need a second exploratory surgery as soon as possible. Oh no, not another surgery!! I asked Dr Amin, is it really necessary to undergo this second operation, as I am still recovering from the first one. He told me it is very important that he proceed with this second surgery as the first surgery was at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surgical_margin">surgical margin</a>. He then asked me to talk to my parents, meet an oncologist for a second opinion and come back on Friday.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><u><span style="line-height: 115%; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">HISTOPATHOLOGY REPORT (Validated by Dr Nik Azizah Wan Kadir - Consultant Pathologist of Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur):</span></span></span></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><u><span style="line-height: 115%; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span></span></u></span><u><span style="line-height: 115%; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Nature of specimen:</span></span></span></u></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">"Recurrent tumour submandibular region – Excised tumour tissue"<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><u><span style="line-height: 115%; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Interpretation:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></u></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"Submandibular gland with an </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">adenoid cystic carcinoma</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">. Tumour is at <i>surgical margins</i>. This is a <i>slow growing</i> but highly <i>malignant</i> neoplasm with a remarkable capacity for <i>recurrence</i>".<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: small; line-height: 18px; ">Full histopathology report:</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; font-size: 16px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwk_tEXbdIgx8Rcb9QXbTvnj7FFDqcJIMYGnnhvpFlJq4lm4-N9xegYN3wKnLMwXd6yiE5tYHBrboZ2EWf7KaP6edIpvFTU6V-OWo5ZwcjGqeJOWMIYT12mjCFvmSJplL0DeM/s320/scan0002.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537552621244302578" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 224px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></p><div><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Not knowing how to react, I went to the Emergency Room to get my stitches removed. At the same time, Sara made some phone calls to inform the rest about the shocking news. I’d break the news of the cancer to Azmir in a perfunctory yet exquisitely dramatic SMS (Looking back, I should’ve been less dramatic about it). </span></span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">All I can think about was my uncertain future; I felt like cancer had robbed me of a sense of control over my life, as if my life was turned upside down. “Why me? What will happen to me? Will cancer change me? Is all hope gone?”, I’d asked myself. The answer was simple - I have no answers!</span></span></span></span></div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">In the car, both me and Sara drove back in awkward silence. It was really hard to get my sister talk about my cancer. Finally, I just said to her, “I know you’re really worried and scared. So am I. Let’s talk about it”. She was so relieved that I had brought up the subject. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">As we reached home, everyone was already waiting for us – Mom, Dad, Amir, Hafez, Ibu and Azmir. There was tension in the air as we entered the living room. At first, everyone felt overwhelmed with despair but once we started to comfortably talk about my cancer, gathered information from the internet– learning as much as we can about ACC and its treatment, I guess we started to feel more in control and it was easier to make decision when we know what to expect. So we’d decided to meet an oncologist at Wijaya International Medical Centre (upon recommendation from Auntie Linda, whose brother is also a cancer patient).<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">That night, I prayed that God will help me go through this ordeal and that my family will emerge stronger. I believe that everything happened for a reason. Nothing happens by chance or by means of good luck. God will never give us anything we can’t handle. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span">“God does not burden any human being with more than he is able to bear…”. (Qoran: Al-Baqarah, 2:286)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Garamond-Bold, serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><u>WHAT CANCER CANNOT DO:</u></b></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuAXPyO-jcGJslHNy9_6VXfEd2E1032YfL-3o7_2350tmWSWIkmTDT_tpkV4Ix_dODZLPnaFYum0dFbV_EmXLAgJv1SpM2-DSy2f6jevb9Na99OwjD6mtSR-s6PHNaI2ZkADs/s320/What+cancer+cannot+do.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537556911183173794" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 300px; " /></span></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>September 30:</b> Feeling more positive today, I went to Wijaya International Medical Centre with Mom, Auntie Linda and Uncle Ali to seek the oncologist’ advice and to learn more about ACC and its treatment. Auntie Linda and Uncle Ali were really supportive and Mom had a very long list of questions and concerns prepared. We met Dato’ Dr Mohamed Ibrahim A Wahid (Consultant Clinical Oncologist) who is very helpful and patiently explained and answered any questions presented to him.</span></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span">One thing for sure is that he agreed with Dr Amin’ treatment plan – surgical removal with clean margins. Then he suggested post-operative adjuvant radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy, but for sure he will not perform it without a clean margin. He also asked me to read my health insurance policy and call the insurance company to check on whether or not radiotherapy is covered under the policy as it might cost a bomb. His careful explanation on how radiotherapy works and its side effects was very helpful as it put things into perspective. He is, after all, the President of the Malaysian Oncological Society!</span></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>October 1:</b> I went to see Dr Amin with Mom and Dad. After negotiation, we agreed that the operation should happen as soon as possible as Dr Amin is going to Mecca to perform Hajj; the exact operation date – 19 October. That is approximately two weeks away! Sigh... He wanted to open up the right side of my neck and remove enough material (lymph nodes, muscles etc.) to get some idea of the spread – then he’d know how to proceed. He also wanted to remove my right sublingual gland as this was the ‘neighbouring area’ to the removed submandibular gland (where my ACC was first discovered).</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">When everything was settled, I put together a list of people who I thought I should tell, and how I should tell them as it was something very personal to me. I am sorry if I'd resorted to inform some of you via SMS as it was really hard for me to find the right words and I don't think I have the courage to do it personally. I'm afraid I might break down and cry. During the next few weeks, while waiting for the second surgery, I was able to focus and not get distracted by evil thoughts of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metastasis">metastasis</a>. I was incredibly touched by the SMSes, e-mails, FB messages, flowers, gifts and visitors I received. Thank you all for your prayers and support.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Garamond-Bold, serif; color: black; "> </span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p></p><p></p><p></p>AIDA MUNIRAH AZMIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09538896099832451628noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36200240.post-4461536338966224282010-11-06T09:32:00.019+08:002010-11-09T15:21:03.312+08:00First Operation - Excision of Tumour<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">During the first surgery, apart from asking my friends and family to pray for me, and saying “Oh well, I’m sure it’s nothing” a lot, I didn't think too much about it.</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="apple-style-span"><span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="apple-style-span"><span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span">September 20:</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span"> In the morning, I checked into the hospital and was given a four-bed room female surgical ward – Room 504. After the nurse had checked my blood pressure and measured my weight (57 kg at this point of time) and height (166cm), I was allowed to go back home to get my stuff for my stay at the hospital; but I have to be back by 8pm.</span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; ">So I went out for lunch with Azmir at our usual spot in Desa Pandan (little did I know that eating will no longer be a pleasurable experience for me after the surgery) and then headed back home to Shah Alam to pack. The whole family drove me back to the hospital later that evening and we had supper at Old Town White Coffee (opposite APSH); they sat with me while I had my favourite kaya and butter toast and then sent me off to my room. Looking back, I can’t imagine how difficult it must have been for them to say good night, knowing that I’m going in for surgery the next day. I slept alone at the hospital; I was feeling a bit more nervous now.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0d7BQWuiNte28u0BVdp-AChhCMTRA1AmmywfWt265bpprVWQnSYDNOd1PMsqIPuMPy_rbbFhu93GDpYFKKHLPIBT1aCtjBpfcP6Mj5vJPPUMj8x5Kf699DCFWUEKhVgyKCXU/s1600/IMG_0179.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0d7BQWuiNte28u0BVdp-AChhCMTRA1AmmywfWt265bpprVWQnSYDNOd1PMsqIPuMPy_rbbFhu93GDpYFKKHLPIBT1aCtjBpfcP6Mj5vJPPUMj8x5Kf699DCFWUEKhVgyKCXU/s320/IMG_0179.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537360504990842130" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia; font-size: small; ">Supper at Old Town White Coffee.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0d7BQWuiNte28u0BVdp-AChhCMTRA1AmmywfWt265bpprVWQnSYDNOd1PMsqIPuMPy_rbbFhu93GDpYFKKHLPIBT1aCtjBpfcP6Mj5vJPPUMj8x5Kf699DCFWUEKhVgyKCXU/s1600/IMG_0179.JPG"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrCMJY-Kl9G0nG0sE7IAlFUj65PuzzslP1yrKlegpKW6t-Ap0eJXNaXsz7GkOmUFG6P2wnLEsayc-5XrlqNejw-vPEtTh5ZI1I_6Sxv4NZwTlgOsV02ygahoZDJZ-BnXwkOeg/s1600/IMG_0178.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrCMJY-Kl9G0nG0sE7IAlFUj65PuzzslP1yrKlegpKW6t-Ap0eJXNaXsz7GkOmUFG6P2wnLEsayc-5XrlqNejw-vPEtTh5ZI1I_6Sxv4NZwTlgOsV02ygahoZDJZ-BnXwkOeg/s320/IMG_0178.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537360490361082082" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">With Sara the night before the surgery.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrCMJY-Kl9G0nG0sE7IAlFUj65PuzzslP1yrKlegpKW6t-Ap0eJXNaXsz7GkOmUFG6P2wnLEsayc-5XrlqNejw-vPEtTh5ZI1I_6Sxv4NZwTlgOsV02ygahoZDJZ-BnXwkOeg/s1600/IMG_0178.JPG"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqYKrRfN00YqaAgS5b2GWAZaPKizP4GOI3Xai4q8OExRgaxBR4yxdPW4xvxa0VOcrRDKoQof19HdF6whlU30SjMIOCOFqimO8cOE2JCA2mROHAnQYwJTsK7pOT0g4soQA0lGg/s1600/IMG_0177.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqYKrRfN00YqaAgS5b2GWAZaPKizP4GOI3Xai4q8OExRgaxBR4yxdPW4xvxa0VOcrRDKoQof19HdF6whlU30SjMIOCOFqimO8cOE2JCA2mROHAnQYwJTsK7pOT0g4soQA0lGg/s320/IMG_0177.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537360489232260626" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia; font-size: small; ">With Mom the night before the surgery.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia; font-size: small; "><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqYKrRfN00YqaAgS5b2GWAZaPKizP4GOI3Xai4q8OExRgaxBR4yxdPW4xvxa0VOcrRDKoQof19HdF6whlU30SjMIOCOFqimO8cOE2JCA2mROHAnQYwJTsK7pOT0g4soQA0lGg/s1600/IMG_0177.JPG"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; "><b>September 21:</b> The day had finally come! The surgery will be performed by Dr Amin jointly with an expert head/neck surgeon from Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Dr Mohd Razif Mohamad Yunus. Surgery was scheduled at 4pm later today and I was asked to fast from 8am onwards. As the hospital was a little late in sending my breakfast, Azmir had decided to drop by with McDonalds’ Egg McMuffin at 7am before he went to his physiotherapy at ISN Bukit Jalil (Thank God he leaves nearby!). A few people visited me during lunchtime but whenever I was left alone, I’d performed ‘Solat Hajat’ and would read the Yassin to pass the time and to calm my nerves.</span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">At 3pm, the nurse came to inform that the </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Operating Room was ready for me and </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I was required to remove all clothing and donned a green backless surgical gown. I waited until Mom and Azmir reached at 3.15pm to settle in bed. I was wheeled by two nurses through a long corridor, with Mom and Azmir by my side. I felt quite emotional when the nurses asked them to wait outside as I entered the cold clinical theatre where some other nurses greeted me. It was so cold that they covered my feet up to keep me warm (I was glad I had been to the toilet earlier and emptied my bladder!). I was moved across onto a narrow surgical bed in the Operating Room, above me were large twisted metal bars with massive over head lights; it’s like a scene out of Grey’s Anatomy! I was rather apprehensive but I knew God was with me all the time and He would see me through.</span></span><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSMT41tQCF3DsTZFQX04SU7KoZVNHGAq6aOhNV2rFHiNN4Wa416Tb1NvwB9vmd0iVyl-b0WaLbY5m9Rl5ZHwgINsizpu9XbpqKJ41Fhimnzg10Bm4Jrh0rX-6JpVJqagf1Z0s/s1600/IMG_0180.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSMT41tQCF3DsTZFQX04SU7KoZVNHGAq6aOhNV2rFHiNN4Wa416Tb1NvwB9vmd0iVyl-b0WaLbY5m9Rl5ZHwgINsizpu9XbpqKJ41Fhimnzg10Bm4Jrh0rX-6JpVJqagf1Z0s/s320/IMG_0180.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537362519904823794" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">APSH' green backless surgical gown.<br /><br /></span></span></p><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2LEGsrYMN6lHBurH_4NEegn4a9kBLfXIXBc8phXNd6QfFl6byLRVAtP_luwjrNxYkjtBaHWFAQLV2MVQZkRW-0D3Qg2jdrl4uAxiGccPaCEgLnM-KFLdnuuKl2gGIs5LT2DY/s1600/IMG_0181.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2LEGsrYMN6lHBurH_4NEegn4a9kBLfXIXBc8phXNd6QfFl6byLRVAtP_luwjrNxYkjtBaHWFAQLV2MVQZkRW-0D3Qg2jdrl4uAxiGccPaCEgLnM-KFLdnuuKl2gGIs5LT2DY/s320/IMG_0181.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537362526442703330" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih0PcyIExFSl3phKKOE1qkd9GhojV7JBcNk7v3gUrMOSAp74ISs9tjnlCkKCsDq4g_msGcRKt83vjLAslU6wsBozwad4lZngY9yjCTbhjMB8Dk1qK58b02foFbYkNojvD39nM/s1600/IMG_0183.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih0PcyIExFSl3phKKOE1qkd9GhojV7JBcNk7v3gUrMOSAp74ISs9tjnlCkKCsDq4g_msGcRKt83vjLAslU6wsBozwad4lZngY9yjCTbhjMB8Dk1qK58b02foFbYkNojvD39nM/s320/IMG_0183.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537362531398416642" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; ">Being wheeled to the Operating Room.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; "><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJKxDKdB68xu2C0HAzlYdIgFK5qqOix3VS1wtxO0c_iA_65Hr_w0Ez-S6KOBjhANdwXxupVohGeEJbaAJZWg3PpzcQCfq0IPnOmCuMobo6AAaRaNORl11EaVnt-K6gF9xhQRs/s1600/IMG_0184.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJKxDKdB68xu2C0HAzlYdIgFK5qqOix3VS1wtxO0c_iA_65Hr_w0Ez-S6KOBjhANdwXxupVohGeEJbaAJZWg3PpzcQCfq0IPnOmCuMobo6AAaRaNORl11EaVnt-K6gF9xhQRs/s320/IMG_0184.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537362539495685954" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Being moved across onto the narrow surgical bed.</span></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAdjSjLgdvXtdcFa4YECa3XZHjNRu0oSWZxhFY1MIAkXIzo4tFqwbw-4Au9ps9MAYHaULQuK_O3OaBPENRDUkPW0GAdKHwNTtCogL86rz0oz26NwQTw0WtHBcQR7ffKJwwADo/s1600/IMG_0185.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAdjSjLgdvXtdcFa4YECa3XZHjNRu0oSWZxhFY1MIAkXIzo4tFqwbw-4Au9ps9MAYHaULQuK_O3OaBPENRDUkPW0GAdKHwNTtCogL86rz0oz26NwQTw0WtHBcQR7ffKJwwADo/s320/IMG_0185.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537362545776350914" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; "><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; ">Later, the Anaesthetist, Dr Arul Balasingam greeted me and asked if I was feeling all right. I told him to please be extra careful and make sure I wake up. After asking me to sign a consent form, with Hari Raya songs playing in the background, he smiled as he injected anaesthetic through the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannula">cannula</a> into my vein. Another nurse asked me to breathe into a mask and after catching a glimpse of the white round clock on the wall (it was 3.45pm) and a few deep breaths, I was out.</span></p><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; ">The next thing I found myself being awakened in the Recovery Room. “Cik Aida Munirah, bangun cik. Operation dah habis. Boleh dengar tak?”. My instant reply was, “Betul ke? All right!”, and all the nurses laughed at my cheerfulness. The clock on the wall shows the time as 8pm. I felt a bit drowsy and nauseous. The nurses continued to monitor my heart rate and blood pressure. There was a tube that was put into my neck, attached to a drainage bottle – to remove any fluid which might build up in the gap that they had left.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; ">Once Dr Arul was happy with my progress, the nurses asked me to move from the surgical bed to the hospital bed. It was excruciating! As I moved across, I saw a large stain of brown Betadine (I think) with some blood on the surgical bed. I was slightly tearful as I was wheeled out of the Recovery Room, only to be greeted with happy faces of my family (Ba, Mom, Dad, Sara, Amir, Hafez & Ibu) and Azmir, and I knew I was going to be all right now.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0sTZfYBjPDE_PfU_AWhJjLBI1QahVVdWKjD73Cr5YuEiJHglabtxouUi1D7NrIyvs9eAcsoSDFiggOfj2UY_N9zZGkx-ZcencLajKyADdVmDHmneaxHyDhKGTh7tCfsHY61I/s1600/IMG_0188.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0sTZfYBjPDE_PfU_AWhJjLBI1QahVVdWKjD73Cr5YuEiJHglabtxouUi1D7NrIyvs9eAcsoSDFiggOfj2UY_N9zZGkx-ZcencLajKyADdVmDHmneaxHyDhKGTh7tCfsHY61I/s320/IMG_0188.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537364101444154482" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Right after the surgery.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0sTZfYBjPDE_PfU_AWhJjLBI1QahVVdWKjD73Cr5YuEiJHglabtxouUi1D7NrIyvs9eAcsoSDFiggOfj2UY_N9zZGkx-ZcencLajKyADdVmDHmneaxHyDhKGTh7tCfsHY61I/s1600/IMG_0188.JPG"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjlfeZDl5VrffycuJChC_TILbogqO64fHlu691-Ez9EhgPao6MwbzNZyMeV9e8aK2nQWounOuja9NxrgN4NzTM54JG3045uwOQHSVt6TuvyHLve5gZDn8BEPTuv0YAdmTTKxE/s1600/IMG_0190.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjlfeZDl5VrffycuJChC_TILbogqO64fHlu691-Ez9EhgPao6MwbzNZyMeV9e8aK2nQWounOuja9NxrgN4NzTM54JG3045uwOQHSVt6TuvyHLve5gZDn8BEPTuv0YAdmTTKxE/s320/IMG_0190.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537364096299156658" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Being moved back onto the hospital bed.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjlfeZDl5VrffycuJChC_TILbogqO64fHlu691-Ez9EhgPao6MwbzNZyMeV9e8aK2nQWounOuja9NxrgN4NzTM54JG3045uwOQHSVt6TuvyHLve5gZDn8BEPTuv0YAdmTTKxE/s1600/IMG_0190.JPG"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirluevt7ivDJMCYItejgXjg1urjTtT9TOsjNNuaYqXRN7iRVhWqqMCn6MMO95zKap38jmCT1UW5aQfnFEXyFN-xk1L0Kh1fcJ5557u3NH7s1DnlOcKTiwhvIeQIFLjmrIaQhM/s1600/IMG_0195.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirluevt7ivDJMCYItejgXjg1urjTtT9TOsjNNuaYqXRN7iRVhWqqMCn6MMO95zKap38jmCT1UW5aQfnFEXyFN-xk1L0Kh1fcJ5557u3NH7s1DnlOcKTiwhvIeQIFLjmrIaQhM/s320/IMG_0195.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537364088742311026" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The area that was cut open.</span></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; text-decoration: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKid05mGdAyqc_0UyCsOgXTgryXQ0T7dTQCiJrWzBFilb9ZVbHHXbUwngYmb2sZq_47YGqbE28yNWJVqbk8ESdISlw_w84G32rh6pjzdkIGMzxKWlOmXxRobKeKcZppZ1PWCw/s320/IMG_0193.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537357690971406754" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></p><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Tube from neck, attached to drainage bottle.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; text-decoration: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><br /></span></span></div></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirluevt7ivDJMCYItejgXjg1urjTtT9TOsjNNuaYqXRN7iRVhWqqMCn6MMO95zKap38jmCT1UW5aQfnFEXyFN-xk1L0Kh1fcJ5557u3NH7s1DnlOcKTiwhvIeQIFLjmrIaQhM/s1600/IMG_0195.JPG"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-CtKUZ4WnJmEHvSZiF7Vfb-oKWw-1nt0O_XE4uBj47oBMszNG_FOJBa38jWae2EChbe-x31aghIP4zAFKAy6drHoqsxFpYymRpgnAv7SiHonudpUurpAr_4xjFPg8HDP1Bg/s1600/IMG_0207.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-CtKUZ4WnJmEHvSZiF7Vfb-oKWw-1nt0O_XE4uBj47oBMszNG_FOJBa38jWae2EChbe-x31aghIP4zAFKAy6drHoqsxFpYymRpgnAv7SiHonudpUurpAr_4xjFPg8HDP1Bg/s320/IMG_0207.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537364078638663986" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTYJ72j_L3UnOGf_PiILfFlkGO8oiCsPQgOI-ri0OKXz7Je0U-uI2yyHx1iKBHzya9rijAI0sgjZqLH1xwk36oHW1XkrWK30n3DXAA1ivt-DyFO8Qc3N2bsbO_DI2_LqoVxug/s1600/IMG_0208.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTYJ72j_L3UnOGf_PiILfFlkGO8oiCsPQgOI-ri0OKXz7Je0U-uI2yyHx1iKBHzya9rijAI0sgjZqLH1xwk36oHW1XkrWK30n3DXAA1ivt-DyFO8Qc3N2bsbO_DI2_LqoVxug/s320/IMG_0208.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537364070848643202" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; "><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; "><b>September 22: </b>I didn’t sleep too well with the IV and the tube hanging out from my neck, and the nurse waking me up every 2 hours. My head was beginning to hurt and my neck stiffening up. It was hard for me to lift my head, so going to the toilet was a real challenge. In the end, Mom (who spent the night at the hospital) agreed to the nurse' suggestion to put me in adult diapers. Haha, I felt like a giant baby! It was so uncomfortable to pee in it, but I did it anyway.</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; ">Around 8am, the nurse came to help lift my head and I’d managed to sit at the edge of the bed for awhile and felt light-headed. Then I’d tried to walk to the toilet; it felt good to walk, but I was weak. I had breakfast (porridge, of course) and it took me a while to learn how to open my mouth without forcing it too much.</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-eIXTMw7LdE771l9TBKstXxDjvZQbxvBPVaBH4nOV5HqwFwGhvkBcFlFp48_4-pMnhooIJeFGwzkctecC54eVNXwqE-JejLXbHHLUpTrtIChV84OtGOsPJGnRvXY8pwY-DE4/s1600/IMG_0212.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-eIXTMw7LdE771l9TBKstXxDjvZQbxvBPVaBH4nOV5HqwFwGhvkBcFlFp48_4-pMnhooIJeFGwzkctecC54eVNXwqE-JejLXbHHLUpTrtIChV84OtGOsPJGnRvXY8pwY-DE4/s320/IMG_0212.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537365439385348994" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Having breakfast (porridge). On the phone with Azmir.</span></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC5v679LSNqG_uJzLRA1upBn2kzR61bxQTtI20JHDGtGpzsUXS2KSrYn8vp2D6hz9-UbWlz1zkSC5MIZO6-dnwNXqHwdTdVVmFzhceIi3fh7VyNq_Lz7ANPke12XYxXx25YJE/s1600/IMG_0214.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC5v679LSNqG_uJzLRA1upBn2kzR61bxQTtI20JHDGtGpzsUXS2KSrYn8vp2D6hz9-UbWlz1zkSC5MIZO6-dnwNXqHwdTdVVmFzhceIi3fh7VyNq_Lz7ANPke12XYxXx25YJE/s320/IMG_0214.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537365432378036898" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Nabihah and Rizal came to visit.</span></span></span></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; ">As the day wore on, I felt better. I had a few visitors, it was a real blessing. My table was piled high with flowers, fruits, chocolates and magazines. Thank you all! Dr Amin made his rounds in the evening and came to explain that the surgery lasted for three hours and went very well – they’d removed the tumour and already sent it to the lab. He told me that he took some photos during the surgery with his iphone and will e-mail the pictures to me. He checked the bottle attached to the tube from my neck – the bottle was slowly filling up and if it doesn’t continue to fill I will be discharge tomorrow.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpg_eojY3plAPu53lQhyphenhyphenJY2YxXuca62wERRSzunj0dkyi94elkeXSJIPXkIZWK6k93O-tpGS6HN1l25X2k7NyqT2jKlaWje2RBxsx4eSgEp_Rr1HQpjFVVZyACQltYgS7Y0c4/s1600/IMG_1146.JPG" style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: normal; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpg_eojY3plAPu53lQhyphenhyphenJY2YxXuca62wERRSzunj0dkyi94elkeXSJIPXkIZWK6k93O-tpGS6HN1l25X2k7NyqT2jKlaWje2RBxsx4eSgEp_Rr1HQpjFVVZyACQltYgS7Y0c4/s320/IMG_1146.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537355946224125714" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></span></p><div style="text-align: center; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Exhibit 1 : Excised tumour (<i>photo courtesy of Dr Amin</i>)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY5FXBNyxGta28nZB5sjr6lGruJvLtxbpn4U0gZVGlDJHO4rNTHslbk4581HIl9K9Pc_260O7OUezhrp_JGsZMI0BsKRC5Eo-KvntXLKTRaVZwu-lI10YEzT58su2T3LEmnDQ/s1600/IMG_1147.JPG" style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: normal; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY5FXBNyxGta28nZB5sjr6lGruJvLtxbpn4U0gZVGlDJHO4rNTHslbk4581HIl9K9Pc_260O7OUezhrp_JGsZMI0BsKRC5Eo-KvntXLKTRaVZwu-lI10YEzT58su2T3LEmnDQ/s320/IMG_1147.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537355544886643154" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; ">Exhibit 2 : Taken during surgery (<i>photo courtesy of Dr Amin</i>)</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>September 23:</b> Well today was much better. I can actually get in and out of bed by myself. Dr Amin came in the afternoon to check the bottle and told me that I can go home this evening! Hurrah! Later, the nurses came to remove the tube from my neck. It was so painful, I was crying in agony so Azmir tried to distract me by asking me what do I want to eat when I get back home. I'd told him that I want to eat KFC. Good distraction - but still I could feel the tube moving under my jaw as the nurse tried to pull it out. After settling the hospital bill, I was given a week’s course of Augmentin (again!) then packed my stuff, thanked the nurses for their cheerfulness and efficiency and went home. It feels good to be back.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">P.S.: Bad news - I'd failed my Taxation paper, unfortunately. Boo hoo.</span></p><p></p><p></p></div>AIDA MUNIRAH AZMIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09538896099832451628noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36200240.post-58062702554877655092010-11-06T09:31:00.017+08:002010-11-10T04:29:49.819+08:00Discovery and Pre-treatment Stage<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I’d first noticed a lump under my right jaw line on my upper neck early in t</span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">he year. It had not been painful but the lump bothered me. However, due to the fact that I was too busy with audit, netball and studies that I totally ignored it.</span></span></span></span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In the middle of June 2010, as the lump grew bigger, I was concerned as to what is actually growing under my jaw so I went to Klinik Mediviron TTDI Jaya (my company’s panel clinic) and Dr Sharifah Abd Ghaffar referred me to Dr Aminuddin Bin Saim – Consultant Ear, Nose, Throat & Paediatric ENT Surgeon of Ampang Puteri Specialist Hospital (APSH). </span></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbtZSEPuLaNIRVsboMkVtIuiKfHIkwV44zX1K4G6wy0nV3Eh-a1jnfaHu85OXJyTsw8LXOnXVtTxNoNCYLRAR6VdqgUq7XW1Q5hLkCWp3xAcAhUvAI7Nfl9GF4l2gxMzBSbXE/s320/Lump.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536806139448566834" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">Lump - front view.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3kpG6ltGYQEpdESdc68gvfuJ9rTi9slV8vY6h-TpsM2dHG-41uQKN2o3NgLQWE_P08QcjHLcQ3MfvRgj7JnVgtgMc1YPme2HgcjCnlKYGekJHqD9j3zEO-TYa8roBm20emOY/s320/Lump+-+side.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536806475978257570" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">Lump - view from the left. Thinner jaw line.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLir6vxtCW-yMZPVSvxgrGd_kNEdOFy-uglJpp-haL5nKhpHBbQ6d7Kqv7jGksLTIynsxHe2AiAQUg__03dyF8UgvXpfcp6ijIZoLeBg6fcr2aPuAduconm-evMnwzM-pRMLk/s320/Lump+-+right.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536807833162642674" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">Lump - view from the right. Thicker jaw line.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">June 25:</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span"> I went to APSH with my mom and met Dr Amin for the first time. He tried conservative treatment first with a course of antibiotic – Augmentin (but this actually resulted in no change). He then ordered a CT Scan (of the neck) with contrast. Dato’ Dr Azlin Azizan – Consultant Radiologist came in prior to the scan to explain everything the radiographer would be doing and to calm me down as this was my first CT Scan ever. The radiographer then placed a tourniquet around my arm and inserts an IV and connects it to a plastic tubing. The tubing was connected to an injector, and I'd felt a warm rush of fluid (like a rushing heat) into my arm, chest and abdomen as she injected the CT Scan dye which caused some discomfort. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">I was left alone in the room as the scanner starts working. <span class="Apple-style-span">Now and then a voice came through the intercom to tell me wh</span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">at I was supposed to do. I remembered my heart beating wildly while my anxiety grew. After the test, the IV was removed and because I was in a hurry, I was told to collect the results on August 16.</span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span">August 16:</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span>Results came back and the scan was read as remarkable by Dr Azlin:</span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><u><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">Report</span></span></span></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "></span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">“There is soft tissue <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lesion">lesion</a> seen in the right submandibular space extending into the right sublingual space measuring 5 x 2.5 x 3cm. The lesion appear partly arising from the right submandibular gland. There is NO further cervical <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lymphadenopathy">lymphadenopathy</a> seen. The left submandibular gland, parotid and thyroid gland appear <i>normal</i>. Nasopharynx, oropharynx, larynx appear <i>normal</i>”.</span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">Radiologist Impression:</span></span></span></u></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">“Soft tissue lesion in th</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span">e right submandibular gland extending into the submandibular space and sublingual space – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epidermoid_cyst">epidermoid</a>”.</span></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Dr Amin agreed, believing it was a benign tumour. </span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">We then decided to have the tumour removed: I was</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">scheduled for surgery on Tuesday, September 21. The plan was to open up my neck, make a quick cut and send a sample of the tumour to the pathologist for immediate examination. </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">September 3:</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span"> As I was on study leave, I just dropped by APSH for awhile to pass my insurance details to Zalikha, Dr Amin’ assistant. With my ICAEW Taxation paper coming up soon (Sept-15), I obviously wanted to focus on exams.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">September 12:</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span"> If I read the newspaper, I will always read the sports section first, and then glance at the front page for any hot topic highlighted and if nothing interesting catches my eye, I will turn to the middle of the newspaper and read the cartoon and horoscope and cheer myself, and then read the movie review. I hardly ever read newspapers these days page by page, especially when I am busy revising for my exams. However, of all the days, I didn’t know why I felt like reading everything today; left to right, top to bottom. Quite by chance I came across an article in the Star – “<a href="http://thestar.com.my/health/story.asp?file=/2010/9/12/health/7009731&sec=health">Lumps in the Neck</a>” by Dr Ong Chun Chiang, reminding me of my surgery. After reading it, I just had to cut it and pasted it in my Organizer because it’s a very spot-on article!</span></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Related excerpts from the article:</span></span></span></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">“Salivary glands swellings</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"> - We have three types of major salivary glands (parotid, submandibular and sublingual) and a lot of minor salivary glands. Lumps can arise from any of these glands and they can be benign or malignant. Cancers of the salivary glands come in many different forms. It is advisable to have these lumps removed once detected. Cancers require urgent treatment in the form of surgery and possibly post-operative radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy, depending on their extent and nature”.</span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 21px; "><span class="Apple-style-span">SPOT-ON!</span></span></p></span></span></span><p></p>AIDA MUNIRAH AZMIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09538896099832451628noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36200240.post-58005907421859303572010-11-05T11:25:00.024+08:002010-11-10T18:10:22.098+08:00My Story - Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">I haven’t done this in quite some time. A lot of things had changed since my last blog post, dated 3<sup>rd</sup> November 2007 - I had graduated from university, got a job, changed fashion style, bought myself a car, moved to a new area, met new people, found love… and the list goes on and on. About three years have passed! Little did I know that I was about to embark on the most trying experience of my life:</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In September 2010, I was diagnosed with ACC or </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adenoid_cystic_carcinoma">Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma</a></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> - salivary gland cancer in common terms.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">At first I thought about keeping my battle a personal and quiet one. But after much research, I was inspired by all the ACC stories I came across online; it feels better that I am not alone in this battle. And then I decided that I want to share my story and journey with others. But before reading this, there are some important things to remember. This is only my experience. It’s not in any way meant to predict what someone else will go through. There may be similarities, but there will also be differences.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkbN6njJQ_xImtn7PbO5t88rXgN7vPTb7XOaMGVgaVr7aOggE0lLsLx7pk_jgWNj0-OLQWJ1ZerBJUlvgGqrhJKUx_ATM8qvd0BuBPwWlu22Qiy0DCL9GCplvfGPbwPLwOfF4/s320/148534_1521756450586_1434818184_31286900_1082777_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536841649057444930" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A message from my Mom</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma (ACC) is a very rare type of cancer most commonly in either the major (parotid, submandibular, or sublingual) or minor salivary glands. In my case, ACC was found in my submandibular and sublingual gland. ACC’ basic biological behavior is this – they tend to spread along the nerves (perineural invasion) and primary treatment for this cancer is surgical removal with clean margins and post-operative adjuvant radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This cancer is known for its slow-growing and unpredictable nature; roll of the dice, shuffle of the cards – anyone can get ACC. Because of its rarity, I found out that only 38 people in Peninsular Malaysia has Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma from 2003-2005 (<a href="http://www.radiologymalaysia.org/Archive/NCR/NCR2003-2005Bk.pdf">Cancer Incidence in Peninsular Malaysia 2003-2005: The Third Report of the National Cancer Registry, Malaysia</a>, page 64). Guess I’m one of the ‘chosen’ one</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">. :)</span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">TIMELINE</span></b></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://munirah18.blogspot.com/2010/11/discovery-and-pre-treatment-stage.html">25 June 2010</a> – First visit to see the ENT Specialist – Dr Aminuddin Saim of Ampang Puteri Specialist Hospital. CT Scan performed.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://munirah18.blogspot.com/2010/11/discovery-and-pre-treatment-stage.html">16 August 2010</a> – Second visit. Dr Amin identified mass in the right submandibular gland on CT Scan image.</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://munirah18.blogspot.com/2010/11/discovery-and-pre-treatment-stage.html">3 September 2010</a> – Passed insurance details to Zalikha, Dr Amin’ assistant. </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://munirah18.blogspot.com/2010/11/discovery-and-pre-treatment-stage.html">12 September 2010</a> – Read an article in The Star - ‘Lumps in the Neck’. <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://munirah18.blogspot.com/2010/11/shocking-september.html">20 September 2010</a> – Admitted to APSH to prepare for first operation - excision of tumour in the submandibular gland.</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://munirah18.blogspot.com/2010/11/shocking-september.html">21 September 2010</a> – Dr Amin performs surgery to remove tumour of the submandibular gland.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://munirah18.blogspot.com/2010/11/shocking-september.html">23 September 2010</a> – Discharged from hospital.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://munirah18.blogspot.com/2010/11/outrageous-october.html">29 September 2010</a> – First follow up visit after the operation. Neck stitches removed. Pathological report of removed tumour identified as Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma. He informed that I need a second surgical removal with clean margins.</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://munirah18.blogspot.com/2010/11/outrageous-october.html">30 September 2010</a> – First visit to Oncologist – Dato' Dr Mohamed Ibrahim A Wahid (Consultant Clinical Oncologist) of Wijaya International Medical Centre Sdn Bhd. Asked for second opinion regarding the second surgery.</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://munirah18.blogspot.com/2010/11/outrageous-october.html">1 October 2010</a> – Second visit to Dr Amin. Agreed on a date for second surgery.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://munirah18.blogspot.com/2010/11/outrageous-october.html">12 October 2010</a> – First time breaking the news to the office. Informed HR and superiors.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://munirah18.blogspot.com/2010/11/second-operation-modified-radical-neck.html">14 October 2010</a> – MRI Scan performed for brain and neck. No recurrent mass in the right submandibular gland, only soft tissue oedema from previous surgery.</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://munirah18.blogspot.com/2010/11/second-operation-modified-radical-neck.html">18 October 2010</a> – Admitted to APSH to prepare for second operation.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://munirah18.blogspot.com/2010/11/second-operation-modified-radical-neck.html">19 October 2010</a> – Dr Amin performs second surgery.</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://munirah18.blogspot.com/2010/11/second-operation-modified-radical-neck.html">23 October 2010</a> – Discharged from hospital.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://munirah18.blogspot.com/2010/11/outrageous-october.html">29 October 2010</a> – First follow up visit after the second operation. Neck and chin stitches<b> </b>removed.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://munirah18.blogspot.com/2010/11/radiotherapy-planning-treatment-stage.html">3 November 2010</a> – First visit to Oncologist (referred to by Dr Amin) – Radiotherapy consultation with Dr Ahmad Kamal Mohamed (Consultant Clinical Oncologist and Radiotherapist) of Sime Darby Medical Centre</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://munirah18.blogspot.com/2010/11/radiotherapy-planning-treatment-stage.html">4 November 2010</a> – Second visit to Dr Amin. Checked the wound from the surgery.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://munirah18.blogspot.com/2010/11/radiotherapy-planning-treatment-stage.html">8 November 2010</a> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">– Radiotherapy planning. Fitted for radiotherapy head mask.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">My story goes out with special thanks:</span></p></span></span></span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"></p><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">to my beloved family – Ba, Mom, D</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">ad, Sara, Amir, Hafez and Ibu - for their never-ending love, patience and confidence in me. And for taking care of me ‘like a baby’.</span></span></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">to Azmir, for being my rock, and his family, whose kindness, positivity and generosity helped me immensely when all seemed hopeless.</span></span></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">to friends, relatives, colleagues, neighbours and the visitors. I rejoiced at all the cards, SMSes, e-mails, FB messages, flowers and gifts I received… so many that I have lost count! Thank you for the ‘bacaan yassin’ event held and all the du’a and well wishes.</span></span></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">to the wonderful team at the Ampang Puteri Specialist Hospital (APSH) during my surgery – ENT Specialist Dr Aminuddin Saim who is always in a cheerful mood, Zalikha who always greeted me with a reassuring word and dedicated nurses who took good care of me during my stay. </span></span></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">to PricewaterhouseCoopers for being such a caring and understanding employer.<br /><br /></span></span></span></span></li></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Thank you all for being a part of my life. I am blessed. I believe that there is always light at the end of the tunnel. Each time I pray that God will see me through this with continued blessings for a full recovery. I knew He was with me all the time; I am not fighting this battle alone…</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“Verily, with every difficulty, there is relief”. (Qoran: Al-Inshirah, 94:6) </span></span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">P.S.: I will try to constantly update this post for my latest story (through my timeline). There's just so many medical jargons to absorb - Thank God for Google!</span></span></span></span></div><p></p>AIDA MUNIRAH AZMIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09538896099832451628noreply@blogger.com16