Welcome to MAKNA {A Meaning to Life}

“Surviving Cancer, a Blessing in Disguise ”

Jessica Loon Soi Pien
47 years old

June 19th 1999 was a joyous day indeed as we celebrated our son's first birthday and our daughter's 11th birthday simultaneously, as their date of births were just four days apart. A few days later, I came down with a sore throat and was awakened in the middle of the night feeling uncomfortable. While scratching a mosquito bite on the left side of my neck, I felt a growth, hard and half the size of a ping pong ball. Call it a woman's intuition, but I knew in my heart that something was not right with my body.

Next morning, I consulted my doctor who assured me that it was nothing to worry about. He prescribed some antibiotics and lozenges and sent me off. Diligently, I finished the medicine and constantly monitored the lump, but it was still there. Then an interview with a doctor about cancer in the Sunday newspaper highlighted the fact that any growth on your neck should not be ignored. This really jolted me. We decided that we may need to consult another doctor. Dr. Hu, our family physician for many years came to mind. On Moon Cake Festival day, Friday 24th Sept. while on a trip to Cheras to see my father, I dropped by Dr. Hu's office. Dr. Hu checked the lump and told me it would be better if I were to consult an ENT surgeon though he said there was no cause for alarm. Somehow at that point in time, I had an intuition that something was wrong. I called Richard, my husband and told him that I had to consult the ENT on Monday.

On Monday I went to Subang Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC) to consult Dr. Ng Peng Chua. He discovered a growth at my nose cavity and wanted a biopsy. This was to confirm whether the growth is malignant or benign. We decided to have the growth surgically removed rather than just do a biopsy. A date was set on 30th Sept. In the meantime, I had already started a strict vegetarian diet after consulting a friend. It was a real torture and a complete 180 degree turn from my old eating habits. I was a heavy meat eater and simply loved to eat. I literally lived to eat! We were also too engrossed in our business to care about a healthy lifestyle. My unhealthy lifestyle brought on weight and health problems. I was always ill with allergies, sinusitis and asthma.

On 30th September I checked into SJMC and went through minor surgery and was discharged on the same day. On the morning of 5th Oct., our world crumbled when Dr. Ng solemnly delivered the devastating news. The growth was cancerous and was called Nasopharangeal Carcinoma (NPC), in layman's terms, nose cancer. Right there and then it felt like someone had just issued me a death certificate. I could feel the colour and warmth draining from me at that moment but took it all stride. Dr. Ng assured us that it was in the early stages and that it was treatable. The success rate for these cases is very high and recommended us to go to an oncologist.

At this point in time, Richard was negotiating a business deal in Sydney. I could see the disappointment and felt his sadness, but I made up my mind that I would see myself through this and encouraged him to go on. I did not know then that my decision would leave me alone to battle the treatment and the side effects. I didn't forsee the emotional and spiritual side of the whole thing and really felt depressed and miserable during the treatment. To all of you who are reading this - if you have someone who is battling a chronic illness, be there for them and for their family. It is terrible to be alone with so much emotional stress, not just for the patient but for the family as well, especially the children.

Feeling sad and unsure of things just after the diagnosis, I remembered a friend who told me about a doctor who has a clinic in Taipan, Subang Jaya near my house. This doctor holds a PhD in preventive health. She said " NPC is one of the easiest cancers to treat and the success rate is high". Her clear and concise explanation was a real relief. She advised me to see Dr. Tan Meng Kuang, an oncologist at Tong Shin Hospital. Again, we were assured that NPC in its early stage is not life threatening and highly curable via radiotherapy and chemotherapy. At this point, I would like to advise anyone with chronic illness that if in doubt, consult not just one, but two, three or four physicians if you have to.

I also contacted two ladies, Karen and Lilian Tan who were tremendous sources of inspiration, having battled cancer themselves. Karen shared her strong conviction of believing in Jesus Christ and Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) while Lilian shared many of her experiences on food preparation, supplements, exercise regime and positive thoughts. Lilian turned out to be a God send friend who lent me her ears regardless of time and day. I called her very often to consult on food and medical issues too. We communicated through the phone for 2 years before we met up. We have remained firm friends till today. To Lilian, Thank You!!!, if you are reading this.

Back to my treatment. On the first day of the radiation treatment at Tong Shin Hospital, I went through the procedure alone. It was a terrifying experience and since Richard was not around, the fear was compounded and magnified and all sorts of bad thoughts and emotional disturbances settled in. That night I did not sleep at all till daybreak.

After the 3rd day, my body was more receptive to the treatment. Thanks to Lilian and my doctor's (Dr. Pang) guidance and help, I managed the entire seven weeks of treatment very well. Of course, the treatment came with numerous side effects. I had my fair share of sore throats, soreness of the mouth and sensitive skin on the radiated area. I also lost my sense of taste. As I had faithfully followed my new life regime, I came out well enough to be able to taste my favourite jam three days after the treatment stopped. Five days later, I even partially recovered my salivary glands which my doctor said would take as long as a year to come back. I am also aware that many NPC patients will have leathery skin and a tasteless and dry mouth. But thank God I did not have those problems.

Throughout the whole treatment period I was thankful to Lilian and Dr. Pang who gave me lots of advice in the areas of medicine and spiritual matters. My husband was very supportive though he was not with me all the time. He was my pillar of strength. His confidence in the various treatments and the way he handled my depression and hysteria was a true show of inner strength. Also not forgetting my daughter May Lee, who at eleven years of age, handled things very well, taking care of me and her little brother. I would like to thank all my other family members and friends for their words of encouragement and visits.

I continued with my new lifestyle for the next three years plus, eating food that is prepared at home. I always reminded myself that good health is my choice. Now my family and I live a healthy lifestyle observing moderation in many aspects of our daily eating habits. If anyone out there needs to speak to someone who has gone through CA, you are most welcome to contact me @ 013 3511995 or jessloon2oo6@ yahoo.com. Any time is a good time. Let us give each other a hand as we journey through life. Our life is likened to a ship on the sea, sometimes beautiful and calm, sometimes stormy and turbulent.

Take care and God Bless You.

written by Jessica Loon Soi Pien ,2007