Salam and hello,
I finally got that PEG tube fitted. It was done under LA (Local Anaesthesia).. The same procedure like before was done but this time the surgeon was aware of my breathing problem. He gave me a mild sedative and then inserted the endoscope down my throat. It was really scary but I did not panic because he kept on talking to me. When he realized that I was short of breath, he quickly numbed me and punctured my stomach wall and and abdomen. Then, he quickly pulled the endoscope out and fitted the tube. Phew!
After the surgery, the nurse pumped in 50 ml of water every 3 hours. That night, I vomited the liquid plus blood twice. Fortunately, I was ok on the next day or else, the doc was going to shove the endoscope down my throat again to have a look inside my stomach.
I am so glad that it was over and now I can take my nutrients through the tube. I am hoping to get my weight back soon.
I’ve been using my PEG for 2 weeks now. Its really great because I’m really putting on weight. I’m only taking plain water orally. I feel a lot more comfortable using this “Peggy”. Now, I don’t have to struggle all the time to gargle to keep my mouth clean. With Peggy stuck to the stomach, I must have my meals regularly because otherwise, I would feel a strong stomach cramp.
Many are wondering why I decided to have Peggy since I don’t really have any problem swallowing liquid food. Well, taking food orally is actually quite torturing because I cannot taste anything. Chicken or fish soups taste bitter to me. Most food is just plain tasteless. So, I thought why torture myself since I can’t enjoy the food anyway. I might as well take the food directly into the stomach and get the full sensation just like taking it orally.
My saliva is still very thick but not as much as before. This thick saliva would stick to the inside of my mouth especially the roof and teeth. When I drink water, the water would not reach the roof of my mouth because my tongue cannot swirl it around the mouth. So, the saliva would dry out and cement itself to the roof. Then, I have to reach the roof using my finger and peel off the layer of saliva. However, its much better than the thick, stringy saliva I had before...
All in all, I feel much stronger and better now. Alhamdulillah.
Bye, for now.
"Life is too short, but intend to grow old gracefully"
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Fighting Cancer
Hello everyone,
I’ve been reading through Shin’s posts in her blog since the day she was diagnosed for breast cancer up to the day she died. It seems to me that we absolutely have no control over the disease. Shin had done everything necessary to avoid a recurrence but to no avail. She changed her diet totally, took up exercises (boat paddling and jogging), had a very positive outlook towards life and she did not sulk about her cancer. Her cancer returned a year after treatments with a vengeance. It was stage IV. She fought the disease until her last breath. Her final entry was on Jan 17 09 and she passed away on Jan 27 09. It is really depressing to read about how much a person suffer from this dreadful disease.
I’ve been also reading quite a lot on cancer cells and what you should do when you are diagnosed with cancer and also how to avoid cancer. Your diet should consist mainly of fruits and vegetables, preferably raw. There are quite a number of websites which advocate consuming raw vegetables which contain anti-cancer properties such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, celery and cucumber. Another thing is that you must complement the diet with enough exercise preferable in the morning because exercises promotes deep breathing and your body will get a lot of oxygen. Cancer cells cannot survive in oxygenated environment.
The thing is, there are so many theories and ideas about cancer. In my case, oral cancer is said to be caused by smoking, drinking and betel leave and nut chewing. I don’t fall in any of the categories and yet, I am struck with oral cancer. And there are people who smoke like a chimney and live healthily up to old age. The same goes to other types of cancer. There are so many factors that come into the picture.
For a person like Shin who did everything suggested where cancer is concerned, it is
really mind boggling when cancer returned anyway and consumed her at last. I suppose there is really no hard and fast rule. We just try our best to fight, do a lot of research to get as much information as possible, learn from other survivors, change our lifestyle and pray hard and hope for the best. Then, leave the rest to the Almighty.
May Shin rest in peace.
Bye, for now.
“Life is full of uncertainties”
I’ve been reading through Shin’s posts in her blog since the day she was diagnosed for breast cancer up to the day she died. It seems to me that we absolutely have no control over the disease. Shin had done everything necessary to avoid a recurrence but to no avail. She changed her diet totally, took up exercises (boat paddling and jogging), had a very positive outlook towards life and she did not sulk about her cancer. Her cancer returned a year after treatments with a vengeance. It was stage IV. She fought the disease until her last breath. Her final entry was on Jan 17 09 and she passed away on Jan 27 09. It is really depressing to read about how much a person suffer from this dreadful disease.
I’ve been also reading quite a lot on cancer cells and what you should do when you are diagnosed with cancer and also how to avoid cancer. Your diet should consist mainly of fruits and vegetables, preferably raw. There are quite a number of websites which advocate consuming raw vegetables which contain anti-cancer properties such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, celery and cucumber. Another thing is that you must complement the diet with enough exercise preferable in the morning because exercises promotes deep breathing and your body will get a lot of oxygen. Cancer cells cannot survive in oxygenated environment.
The thing is, there are so many theories and ideas about cancer. In my case, oral cancer is said to be caused by smoking, drinking and betel leave and nut chewing. I don’t fall in any of the categories and yet, I am struck with oral cancer. And there are people who smoke like a chimney and live healthily up to old age. The same goes to other types of cancer. There are so many factors that come into the picture.
For a person like Shin who did everything suggested where cancer is concerned, it is
really mind boggling when cancer returned anyway and consumed her at last. I suppose there is really no hard and fast rule. We just try our best to fight, do a lot of research to get as much information as possible, learn from other survivors, change our lifestyle and pray hard and hope for the best. Then, leave the rest to the Almighty.
May Shin rest in peace.
Bye, for now.
“Life is full of uncertainties”
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