by Just Suntin from Just 2 Story
It’s the month for Breast Cancer Awareness! It's the month of pink!
It’s the month for Breast Cancer Awareness! It's the month of pink!
Here I am, proudly declaring that I am one of the breast cancer survivor, who has just completed the whole required treatments 3 months ago.
I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer Stage 2B just a year ago exactly on this date (25 October)! How could I forget? It was me and my husband's 8th year Anniversary as a couple and we were supposed to celebrate it happily with our pre-ordered cake.
I first found out about the unusual lumps on my right breast two weeks earlier. I managed to stay calm yet worried at the same time. Then I went for an ultrasound and mammogram at the hospital, and thereafter I proceed with a biopsy.
I burst into tears when the doctor break the news to me! It broke my heart even more when the doctor suggested that I should go with mastectomy (removal of whole breast). I know its not the end of the world yet, but it was not easy to accept what's happening at that time. I was only 32 years old back then!
That night all of us (my husband and my mom) was sadden by the news. Somehow, my husband and I still manage to cut our 8th Anniversary cake.
Eventually, I didn't proceed with mastectomy. I went for a second opinion and was glad that Dr. Patricia Gomez, a Breast Cancer Specialist from Hospital Pantai KL (Bangsar) advised me to proceed with lumpectomy (a surgical procedure to remove the lump) instead of mastectomy.
So I went with the lumpectomy surgery.
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| Still can smile couple hours after the surgery! Not bad huh! |
I was asked to rest for a month after the lumpectomy surgery before I get to start with the scariest treatment – chemotherapy. I Googled on others experiences to prepare myself and at least, I know what to expect. I was concern about losing all my hair. Experiencing hair falls and being bald is the last thing that every woman want in their life!
Then again, I was blessed when I was found negative for HER2 receptor, a much more aggressive type of breast cancer if compared with the rest.
I started my first cycle of chemotherapy on 3rd of December 2011. I had to go through 2 parts of chemotherapy. Part 1 consists of 4 cycles of chemotherapy and Part 2 consists of 12 cycles of chemotherapy. A standard cycle is 6!
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| The chemotherapy |
Even though Part 1 was quite tough, I am glad that I don’t really experience all the side-effect such as nausea, vomit, constipation, sleeping problems, extreme lack of appetite, etc. The strong dosage of drugs only made me feel fatigue for couple of days after each cycle. Other than that, I hate it when I was infected with flu and cough. That was when I feel very ill cause it will takes 2-3 weeks for me to recover.
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| Balding |
My hair started to fall tremendously 2 weeks after the 1st cycle. To my surprise, for the first time in my life, I can’t wait to be bald! Well, it was actually better than seeing your hair on your pillow every time when you wake up in the morning. Wait till you see all the hairs on the bathroom’s floor!
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| Being bald and enjoy at the same time! Positive!! |
My kids were asking why am I bald. So, we explained that mommy is not well. Mommy is sick and I am really glad to have them around because they are my source of strength to fight this decease positively!
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| Covering baldness! |
Guess what? Hubby and I even made it to Universal Studio Singapore when I was still on my chemotherapy treatments. The flight tickets was purchased months before and we were already excited for the 1-night trip. So yeah... why not!
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| Radiotherapy |
Upon the completion of my chemotherapy, I started my 25+8 daily sessions of radiotherapy in June. It didn't really cause me any problems. It was a very quick 3-minutes-laying-down-process with minor side effects.
Today, it has been 3 months since I completed all my treatments. I feel really good and my hair is growing back too! Yay!!
I just want to the opportunity here to thank my company for taking care of my medical bills. In fact, I was on paid MC for 9 months!
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| Me, myself and I! Photo taken on 21/10/2012 |
It was a long journey yet I am so bless to have great people around me especially my husband, my mom and my lovely kids. You all had helped me to get through a very difficult time in my life.
Last but not least, my advice to all woman, please perform BSE (Breast Self-Examination) regularly and do go for ultrasound or mammogram if you are already above 40. Breast cancer can happen to anyone regardless of their age, and early detection is always better.
Do visit Just's blog to read all her cancer story in details.
"Seize the day, Caper Diem"
