Sunday, November 15, 2009

A Cancer Warrior Is Gone

Hello,

I just got news that a fellow cancer survivor, Robert Pemberton or Bob left this planet on 28th October after fighting a hard and long battle with tongue cancer. He was one of the followers of this blog. He sent his comments several times with his encouraging and kind words. His blog which is maintained by his wife Joyce is linked to mine. No words could express my feelings upon receiving the news. He was such a strong and caring man who accepted his fate bravely and calmly. This was expressed by Joyce so eloquently in their blog. And I’m sure his passing has hit her hard...but, I’m also sure that being a strong woman herself and with the support and love she’s getting from the people around her, and with the faith she’s holding on to, she’ll be okay.

I've learnt a lot from this great guy through his experience and how he emotionally handled this vicious enemy within his body. He was a man of faith. Yes, I totally agree with him. You have to have faith. I can’t imagine myself battling this disease without having any faith in God. I mean, who can you cling on? Having this disease means you are fighting your own battle. Not even your loved ones can do anything to curtail it. If it decides to invade your body, it will. You can cry all you want. You can run amok all you want. You can curse all you want. It won’t make any difference where cancer cells are concerned because cancer has a mind of its own.

The only thing we, cancer victims can do are to cling on to the love from our family and friends and of course, FAITH. Having faith in the Almighty helps me face this ordeal and reading Bob’s blog really helps me cope with my own emotion in accepting what has been planned and what are in store for me.

Anyway, I feel truly blessed that I’ve got the chance to get to know this great man.

Goodbye, comrade! Rest in peace.

Sunday, November 08, 2009

Where Are Our Priorities, Ladies?

Hello and salam to all,

I'm angry. I'm pissed. I'm steaming mad. I'm hopping mad. I just read about the increasing number of Malaysian women diagnosed with breast cancer. Most of them, got to know about their condition at a later stage which makes it almost impossible to save their lives. When asked why they were late in getting themselves checked, most of their answers would be they were scared to be told about the diagnosis and prognosis. They were especially scared that the doctor might decide to perform a mastectomy and as a result their husbands might just leave them for other women or just walk away.

My goodness!! I can sure understand and empathize with the feeling of helplessness or the fear of the disease. But being worried about losing a husband because you have breast cancer and therefore refuse to seek help for this deadly disease is just beyond me.... How could you put your health and wellbeing second to your husband?? If he leaves you because you have no breast, why worry about it? You have your life to worry about. And your children who are counting on you for that matter. If he leaves you because you have breast cancer, well, so what? He can go to hell...you have no use for such a husband.

Please love yourself first...if he decides to leave you, he would leave you no matter what. With or without breast cancer...


To my sisters, please take care of yourselves.. your health is the most important thing in your life.

Bye, for now.

"Cancer Sucks"