Day +63 : Thanks

I am not feeling well for the last few days, that why I did not write my blog.

I wish all your a happy NEW YEAR 2009. My new year wishing is to stay healthy and celebrate the 2010 countdown.

I would like to say a big thank you to all of you who supported me and my family throughout the challenge of my life. The following card is for you.

Day +60 : Well Done ! Jin Han

Photo : Jin Han and my Son, Jin Hao

Today mark the 60 days after my first infusion of stem cell. 1 Nov 2008 was the date I received my sister stem cell. The GVH still bother me, doctor want the GVH continue for a while , as it is good to prevent relapse. The cyclopsorin which I taken, will suppress my immune system, thus some of the ulcer will take longer time to recover. Dr Alan have cut down my Cyclosporin from 250mg to 200mg per day, hope will further reduce in time to come.

I went for follow up yesterday.

My Blood Count on 30 Dec 2008: - Reading within the square bracket [] depicts the previous test result.

Haemogglobin (HB) = 12.4 [11.9] (Normal 13-18)

Platelet = 104 [104] (Normal 150-450)

Total White Blood Count (WBC) = 3.5 [3.1] (Normal 4 - 11)

Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) = 2.1 (Normal 1.5 - 8.0)

ALT = 102 [113] (Normal 30 – 65)

Magnesium=0.39 [0.37] ( Normal 0.74 - 0.99)

The blood count results is about the same as previous week. I have Magnesium infusion yesterday. I need to check the magnesium level in this coming Friday.

My nephew scored 7A for the recent PMR results, congratulation to Jin Han. We are pround of you.

Day +58 : BMT donor

I am well today, continue my story....

My Mum and Ah Siew wished that I did not have to do bone marrow transplant, as the risk mortality is high . They hoped if I repeat the cytogenetic analysis, the result would be more favorable. I brought them to to see Dr Alan in SJMC in order to get his opinion about my future treatment. The hematologist said that my case was very straight forward; the treatment had to clean the residual disease with cycles of chemotherapy , then follow by bone marrow transplant. From there onward, I was determined to go for bone marrow transplant even though I knew "it is a high risk business." But the return is, I have 75% chance getting cured, and 25% relapse. Without the transplant, I am subjected to 100% dead.

I started to arrange my brother and sister to have the matching test, the chance of getting a fully matched donor is 25% for each sibling. I have 5 brothers and sisters, naturally , I stand a good chance to get a HLA comptible. The results show my eldest and youngest sister fully matched and can be my donor for the BMT.

Day +56 : Long Life

Today, I feel better. I just back from my morning walk which I have not done it for the last few days.

I went for follow up on Friday, the blood counts improved slightly. Total WBC is >3.0. Dr Alan Teh is still on X'mas leave, he have instructed the day care nurse to update him the results over the phone, he will decide what treatment to carry out for me. I will see him next Tuesday. Again, I received magnesium sulfate infusion. ( I just realise, if the magnesium sulfate given without dilution , it can be fatal)

Blood Counts on 26 Dec 2008 :
Hb: 11.9 ( normal 13.0 - 18.0)
Platelet : 104 ( normal 150 - 400)
Total WBC : 3.1 ( Normal 4.0 to 11.0)

ALT : 113 ( normal 30 - 65)
Magnesium: 0.37 ( 0.74 - 0.99)

Today, I am expecting a visitor from Kuala Terengganu, B L Lim. Lim is one of my client in Kuala Terengganu. He work for a readymixed company. He is very energetic even his is late 70 years old now. I really admired his health status. His family have long life history, his few uncle and brother leave 90+ before passing away. One of secret I found out is to keep yourself active.

Mum's Birthday

Today, I feel tired, and low appetite.

We celebrated mum 64 years birthday yesterday.

My mother born in Mengkuang, Pahang, I won't forget my mum birthday date, it is on Christmas eve. I missed her 63 year old birthday celebration last year because mum was in hometown.It is really a great blessing for us to have her with us this year! May God bless her with good health and joyful heart everyday!

My sisters have bought a tiramisu cake to celebrate mum's birthday. Jin Hao and Xin yi enjoy themselves very much when there is birthday party.

DAY +52 : Prognosis

I went to SJMC to have the flushing on my PICC, currently I need to flush my PICC with heparin twice a week to prevent the pipe getting block.

People with cancer will always ask this question, how is my prognosis. According to statistic by US, for Non Hogkin Lympoma (NHL), one year relative survival is 81%, 5 year survival 63% . 10 years after diagnosis with NHL survival rate declined to 49%.

Today, I met a young Leukaemia patient, he have two time transplant in a year. The deases replased after three months of transplant. He went for second mini transplant and currently the bloods count back to normal.

Day +51 : Mid-Winter Festival

Today, I am not feeling that well, the medicine have caused me a Little drowsy.

Yesterday, we celebrated the Mid Winter festival. Mum cook us stew pork leg with sea cucumber, butter chicken. Even I am not allow to eat the butter chicken, But I enjoyed greatly sea cucumber dish. We celebrated the mid-winter festival together with my sister who stay in Mahkota Cheras.

Ah Siew bought some " Tangyuan" from giant, the tangyuan has bean and peanut ingredient, and taste very good.

Last Friday, I seek a treatment from a Urologist, Dr. Kalai, he speak very fluent Mandarin, even the medical term. I was impressed.