The Oncology Department, Penang General Hospital

Yesterday, I went back to the hospital to see my doctors. First, Dr Regu who is the plastic surgeon. Then, Dr Zul who is the ENT specialist. Dr Regu said that there are very few cases of oral cancer which strike people like me who are considered young (he he), non-smoker, non-drinker, and non-betel leave eater. The startling fact that he told my husband and I is that when oral cancer strikes people of my category, it is really aggresive meaning much more aggresive than people who have the risk factor. Thats why they have to monitor my progress very closely. In reflecting what he said, I thought to myself. hei, smoking and drinking are not bad after all....

Then, we went to see Dr. Zul and he said that he is quite confident that there will be no more recurrence after the radiotherapy. I asked him the side effects to be expected. He said that it depends on individual patient. However, the most common ones are dryness in the mouth because the radiation would attack the salivary glands. The radiation is aimed at the cancer cells which are fast growing. It so happen that the cells in the salivary glands are also fast growing, thus, they would fall prey to the radiation beam as well. That means, I will have to force myself to take a lot of water to compensate for the dryness and also to overcome the heat from the radiation. Well, I suppose losing the salivary glands is a small price to pay compared losing everything to cancer...

So, I was warded again yesterday after seeing the doctor because this morning I had to be driven to the Penang GH in an ambulance to see a doctor at the oncology department. A nurse woke me up at about 6.00 am telling me that the ambulance would be leaving at 7.00 to Penang. So, I quickly got to the shower and prayed. Then, had my milk (can't fast) and quickly went straight to the nurses station. They said that the appointment was set at 8.00am. I was saying to the nurse who accompanied me that we would not make it on time because of the distance (Alor Star to Penang is about 160 km) and the heavy traffic on the Penang bridge. Was I in for surprise!!

As soon as we hit the highway, we were already flying. We reached Sungai Petani at 7.20 am (55km). When we reached the Penang bridge, there was a massive traffic jam. Then, the driver put on the siren and we just criss-crossed the vehicles and made it before 8.00am. Phew!!

Went in to see the doctor. Was informed that I will have to go to Mount Miriam on Oct 7 for the oncologist there to plan my radiation treatment. As soon as the treatment starts I will lodge at the Balik Pulau hospital not the Kepala Batas hospital. Doesn't really matter to me because whichever hospital I'll be staying in, transportation will be provided to go to Mount Miriam. So, the treatment will start after Hari Raya. I don't know whether I should be happy or not because I feel that it would not make too much difference before or after raya. But then, a close friend commented that well, at least I would not be on the hospital bed in the morning of Hari Raya. I guess she had the point.

Bye, for now.

Sharifah
"Life is too short, but intend to grow old gracefully...."