Day +117 : Soon Keong Visit

I am fine today. Soon Keong visited me few days ago. He was on a day trip to KL with his boss family.

I just finished the 雍正皇帝, really have hard time to put it down once you start reading it. Enjoy the reading very much. The book comprise of 6 series.

DAY +116 : Memories of Nelson Mandela

I am fine today.

I like to read the biography of politician. One of the book I would recommend is by Nelson Mandela , Long walk to Freedom. A recipient of 1993 Nobel Peace Prize, President of African National Congress. In his book, he tells the extraordinary story of his life, an epic of struggle, set back, renewed hope and ultimate triumph. His dramatic years underground which led to a sentence of life imprisonment in 1964 and his eventful quarter century behind bars.

Day +113 : Follow Up

I am fine. Yesterday Teck Ann drop me to SJMC for my weekly follow up.

My Blood Count on 23 Feb 09:
Haemoglobin = 10.4(Normal 13-18)
Platelet = 137(Normal 150-450)
White Blood Count (WBC) = 5.2(Normal 4 - 11)

cytogenetic result for bone marrow sample taken on Day +90 shows that my pair 23 chromosome changed from XY to XX. That means my sister’s stem cells engraved well and are producing blood. In other words successful engraftment from a female donor.

Suppose doctor want to remove the PICC pipe today, since I have did the dressing. He decided remove by next Monday.

Day +110 : Positive Mind to fight "C"

An article to share with your.

A positive mind to ace the big 'C' :- Yap Kien Eng
Thestraitstimes.com -- 5th February, 2009


Looking at how healthy he is now, it is hard to imagine that in 1997, Yap (above) was given only three months to live.He credits the love and support of his wife and five children as his reason to fight the disease, when all he wanted to do was die.

It started with stomach pains 12 years ago, after eating some yee sang (a dish of shredded vegetables and raw fish). At the hospital, the doctor presumed that he had food poisoning and discharged him after treatment.
"I felt the pain off and on, and I had no appetite. Then I had spicy food at a mamak stall one day," he said. "The pain was so excruciating (剧烈的), I was admitted to hospital.
"The doctors conducted a battery of tests, including an X-ray and MRI. After a colonoscopy, they found a tumour bigger than my fist."I had advanced stage three colon cancer."
Yap went under the knife to have the tumour and 38cm of his colon removed. He also underwent six cycles of chemotherapy but his ordeal did not end there. Two months after he completed chemo, Yap noticed lumps on his neck.

"I had a relapse. The cancer had moved to my lymph nodes and the tumours were like two horns on my neck. The doctors suggested new drugs to treat this stage-four growth and said that if I did not go for treatment, I would have just three months to live!"
Yap abhorred any treatment as he had seen the effect of the drugs on another cancer patient.
"It was not something I wanted to go through if I was dying. I cried until I had no tears left.
"I didn't want my wife and children to find out that I was dying. I wanted to spare them the pain."
Eventually, he did tell them and it was an emotional moment when his family told him that they would make the best of the time they had with him. That was when Yap decided to find ways to prolong his life.
With his wife's encouragement, he took up qiqong.
"I practised 10 to 12 hours a day using the zhineng technique to overcome pain. I did a 3 1/2-hour session daily."
Yap claimed that qigong had helped him overcome cancer as within days of the gruelling exercises, he could no longer feel the lumps on his neck.
To motivate other cancer patients, he teaches qigong at National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM) every Sunday.
"What I do through qigong is suppress the cancer cells in my body. I am a much stronger person now. I have not seen my doctors since 1997."

Yap said a person is diagnosed with cancer for life as it is incurable. To ensure that you do not relapse, it is important to change your lifestyle and stay positive.
Attitude is a crucial factor in keeping cancer at bay, because if the mind is weak, it will be difficult to win the battle.
"If you have cancer, talk to cancer survivors. Don't talk to people who have no idea of what you are going through. You need to join a support group.
"Family and friends need to be positive around cancer patients. They should not cry or start to ask about dying or show a negative attitude because it will affect the patient."

Day +109 : Tea Break

I am fine today. I have asked Teck Ann sent me to SJMC for PICC pipe flushing.

After that we have a tea break at the nearby Indian Restaurant. This is the first time I have a piece of tossai and a cup of ginger tea after the transplant. The taste is good. Enjoy every much.

My current weight drop to about 47kg, from 52kg. I am struggling to bring up the weight. The nutritionist suggest to take more milk, cheese, more frequent meal. I loss more calorie than I consume. My BMI index is 16.8 ( kg/m^2) , the normal range suppose to be 22+/-2. I am underweight by almost 20%. The target weigh is 62kg.

The slimming center charge thousand ringgit to loose few kg of weigh. In my case, one infections have caused me to lose 5kg. Jan 08, I stayed in hospital for about 15 days.

Day +106 : Follow Up

I am fine today. I am still lack of energy as the HB is low.

My Blood Count on 17 Feb versus 10 Feb : - Readings in square bracket [] are result from previous test.
Haemoglobin(HB) = 9.4[9.0] (Normal 13-18)
Platelet = 127[165] (Normal 150-450)
Total White Blood Count (WBC) = 2.9[3.6] (Normal 4 - 11)
Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) = 2.1[3.0] (Normal 1.5 - 8.0)

Doctor commented the platelet and WBC drop may due to GVHD. The red spot on my skin is getting more, this is a sign of GVHD, doctor increase the prednisolone from 7.5 mg to 15 mg per day.

The chest x-ray that I did revealed that there is not much difference of appearance of my lung. However Dr Alan did not quite agreed with the Radiology Report, he said it show some improvement. He will schedule another chest x-ray for me next Monday to see my lung condition. Hopefully, the cavities will be further reduced.

Day +104 : Valentine's Day

I am fine today. The antibiotic drugs make me drowsy most of time, make me sleep most of time. In order to keep myself active, I surf Internet and watching movies.

Last Saturday, it was the Valentine's Day. After married for nearly a decade, Me and Ah Siew just celebrated once few years ago. That was together with my lovely little girls, Xin Yi. Gentlemen, we should arrange a Valentine's Day Dinner for our wife yearly.

Valentine’s Day cards for you and me : All these cards are from 123greetings.com.

Day +103 : Happy Birthday, Xin Yi

I am fine today.

We celebrated Xin Yi 's Eight years old birthday yesterday evening. Her actual birthday is on 15 Feb, next day of Valentine Day. We brought it a day earlier for convenience sake. My parent and sisters also attended Xin Yi birthday. My son Jin Hao is most excited when came to birthday celebration, he will be the one to blow the candle and cut the cake.

Xin Yi wish Daddy get well soon !

Day +103 : Books

I am well today. Hiap Soon have brought me few books. 雍正皇帝, written by 二月河. The story is fascinating, I almost complete a book within a day. I had a hard time putting it down.

I have watched the drama series of 雍正皇帝 and 康熙皇帝, both fascinating and fun.

Day +101 : Follow Up

I am fine today. The Imaging report on the chest said "the area of consolidation in the right lower zone of my lung has decrease in size, the cavities are smaller. Appearances are in keeping with resolving infection"

I don't need to continue the IV infusion of antibiotic, but need to continue the tablet. One weeks Ciprobay antibiotic. This drug cause drowsy, that is the only complaint I have.

Still facing the dry mouth problems, I asked Dr Alan how long this will last. The answer is a bit scarcely, It may take a year to totally get away the problems. The dry mouth sometimes causing swallowing and eating difficulties.

Day +99 : Follow Up

I am fine. Yesterday I went to SJMC to complete the IV infusion of antibiotic. A two weeks course. Suppose to meet with Doctor, however Dr Alan is too busy, ask me to come back today. Teck Ann will be my driver. My Haemoglobin is low, not advisable to drive, hope able to drive myself in the next two months. My legs is stiff and have to walk slowly.

Blood Count on 10 Jan 2009: - Reading within the square bracket [] depicts the previous test result.
Haemoglobin (HB) = 9.0 [8.9] (Normal 13-18)
Platelet = 165 [120] (Normal 150-450)
Total White Blood Count (WBC) = 3.6 [4.2] (Normal 4 - 11)

This is the first time , the platelet meet the specf. Doctor commented due to the infections, the haemoglobin take time to raise. The X ray show the cavity in the lung is getting smaller, infections is under controlled.

Day +98 : My Stem Cell Donor

I am fine today. The time passed very fast. This is the 98th day after the infusion of my sister’s stem cell. I thank those who bless me with health, peace and joy everyday.

The stem cell was donated from my youngest sister, Chui Bee. My eldest and youngest sister's blood is fully match donor. Doctor choose the youngest one, as the problem is lesser.

My youngest currently working as a Company Sect, she is brave girl. Her lower right hand was amputated at the age of 6 due to accident, her hand was rolled into the Mee Machine, the infections have caused her lower right hand need to be amputated, in order to stop the infections. Chui Bee able to perform a lot of task, cycling, driving motorbike, scuba diving. I always proud of her.

Photo : Father, Chui Bee, Mum, Chooi Hoon

Day +96 : Gathering in 2004

Today, I am fine. Teck Ann was my driver today, I need to receive the IV infusion of antibiotic until next Tuesday.

I have asked Stanley to pass me the previous gathering photo in Eastin Hotel, in Sept 2004. This probably is our first classmate gathering in KL. We have Eng Peng, Kim Swee , Siong Chong, Kah Ban, Chin Chu, Yee Tyng, Fong Ming, and Stanley ( always not in Picture, he is the camera man). The event was organised by Teck Ann.

Probably end of this year, we will organise a gathering in KL. Let us if you keen to join in.

Day +96 : Progessing

I am fine, just feel tired particularly in morning time.

Today, my blood counts shows good results, except the haemoglobin drop from 9.9 to 8.9, Doctor said this is due to the infections. Patients could develop shortness of breath, easy fatigability and even chest pain if the haemoglobin below 6. That why I feel lack of energy these few days, the platelet increase from 100 to 120, white blood counts remain about the same. The next blood count will be on next Tuesday, if the haemoglobin drop below 8.0, I will need blood infusions. I packed of blood will increase 1.5, I hope the haemoglobin will able to pick up in these next few days.

I received call from Betty Tan, Wife of KL Tan, from Kota Kinabalu, like to thanks her support and courage to me.

The Bone marrow test show I am in remission stage (free from lymphoma), this is a good sign.

Day +95 : Mother in Law

Today, Hiap Soon was my driver, I need to receive the IV infusion of antibiotic to treat the lung infections daily for a week. I am feeling OK, just lack of energy.

My Mother-in Law passed away last night, age 82. She was born in Tentuan, Sarawak, having 10 children. My wife, Ah Siew was the youngest. My Mother in Law has not been well for quite some time, This year she celebrated CNY with us in KL.

Photo : My Mother in Law with us taken in 2007 , attending her grandchildren wedding Lunch in JB

Day +94 : Follow Up

Today, I feel better, at least have some energy to do light activities.

Yesterday Blood Counts results show improvement, the infections in the lung should be under controlled. The Total White Blood increased from 1. 5 to 4.2, and the platelet increase from 52 to 100. However the Haemoglobin drop from 10.5 to 9.9, thus why I feel tired. Need to eat more.
My weight drop from 51kg to 49kg.

The Bone Marrow Aspiration was done on last Thursday, results should available by this Thursday or Friday. It is important the test show no sign of abnormal cell

Day +92 : Back to Home

I have admitted to SJM for 6 days from 28 Jan to 2 Feb 09 to treat my infections. I still need to daily back to daycare centre to receive the IV antibiotic. As the drug don't have the tablet form.

Today, Fong Ming help me to do the discharge.

Back home feeling is good. That why I still able to write a short note on the blog.