27th February 2009, Friday
Started on 6th chemo cycle 2 days ago. Tumor marker had gone up marginally from 247 to 262, but Dr Toh (my oncologist) said that it was still within acceptable range and had increase the dosage of the new drug that he gave me from 100mg to 150mg. That will make me more goggy. Luckily I am not working now and can sleep more.
We discussed again on the options of surgery as only surgery can help to remove the cancer cells almost completely. Unfortunately, for my case, I can't do surgery as the cancer cells are on both lopes of my liver. Dr Toh assured me that I am progressing well with the medication. A more detailed discussion on the next steps will be conducted after the PET scan, which will be performed after the 8th cycle. So that will be likely in early May. He tells me to just stay focus on each chemo cycle and get well and not to worry too much. As it is, he told me that I am an outliner and have progressed well with the treatment, considering that bile duct cancer is a fast acting cancer and I manage to bring down the tumor marker from 890 (before chemo) to 200+. The balance are the resistant cancer cells which probably needs more bullets and bombs to shoot them down. He says that there are other treatments that he has yet to discuss with me, as we will wait for the PET scan result for the verdict. Cross the bridge when we reach there.
I spoke with the Chinese sinseh. She had the same opinion that I should not do surgery, as the surgery is only a local solution, but likely the cancer cells are already floating in my blood stream. Also, with a major surgery, my immunity will be low and that will be a good chance for the cancer cells to attack me more aggressively. She said that even if the western medicine runs out of idea, TCM could still help as they are now only playing a complimentary role now and will move up to lead role when required. She can't raise the bar for TCM on me yet, as she is concerned that my health may not be able to take it. She also tells me to take one step at a time.
Initially, I was a bit upset on Wednesday and felt really lousy. But I tell myself never give up this fight against the cancer cells. If I give up on myself, the cancer cells will be popping champagne inside my body. I will not let them have an easy time inside.
I have started on alkaline water for 2 weeks. Read that cancer cells thrive in acidic environment. With the alkaline water, it is supposed to be anti-oxidant and the water molecules are smaller and hence better absorbent by the body. Hopefully this helps.
Also, a friend sends me a write up on Kachahatrian Effect Protocol –KEP, by a renowned Russian scientist. Will need to check up on him and consult with the oncologist.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
5 per cent
18 February 2009, Wednesday
I have been geting complaints that I am not updating my blogs as regularly as I should. Sorry for the laziness.
The 5th chemo cycle goes through smoothly (fingers crossed) and now I am in my rest week, before starting the 6th cycle on 25 Feb. Got a scare on Sunday when there were rashes developed on both thighs. There were numerous red spots, but were not itchy. On Monday, the spots were still there. So I asked the Chinese sinseh when I saw her at night. She was a bit concerned initially, as the red spots could mean that my platetet count is in dangerously low level. However, the blood test results that I took just a few days ago showed that the platetet was in the normal range (actually just pass the minimum level), so she doubt that could be the reason. She modified the medication and does wonder with her medicine. After taking the medicine for one day, the rashes are gone. So, it is worth it to take her medicine, even though it means 34 sachets of chinese herbs powder.
I had read in the internet sometime ago, that only 5% of patients with bile duct cancer can survive more than 5 years. Same statistics as pancreatic cancer. Not sure if I can break that statistic, as it means that there are only 5 out of every 100 patients. A friend told me that the statistics to me should be 50%. Either make it or not. So this is a higher probablility.
I was reading Shin's blog just now and one of the follower commented that her husband passed on 2 months after the diagnosis and he first knew the illness in mid Oct, which was the same time as me. I guess I am much luckier than him that I can still try and respond well to the chemo treatments. I am really grateful to my religion that I have survived this far. I guess it also helps that I am on the heavy side. So, there are more buffer for any weight loss, if any. I have more or less maintained the same weight since I started chemo. It fluctuates within 2 kg range, but nevertheless, I am still heavier than before starting chemo.
While waiting for my chemo treatment at NCC last Thursday, I saw a patient who was frail and sitting on a wheelchair. I started a conversation with him and asked him to consider TCM. He was initially resisitant about it. He was 41 years old with 3 kids, cancer at the liver and small intestines. He insisted on chemo, even though his oncologist did not recommend it. I told him that TCM helps to provide the immunity and base to tolerate the chemo. He looked stubborn, but his sister was telling me that they had try to talk to him and he refused to listen. She hoped that when he saw my physical look, he will give it a try. Eventually, he asked for the name card of my Chinese sinseh. I really hope that he will see the TCM doctor, and not just to get rid of me by taking the namecard.
I have been geting complaints that I am not updating my blogs as regularly as I should. Sorry for the laziness.
The 5th chemo cycle goes through smoothly (fingers crossed) and now I am in my rest week, before starting the 6th cycle on 25 Feb. Got a scare on Sunday when there were rashes developed on both thighs. There were numerous red spots, but were not itchy. On Monday, the spots were still there. So I asked the Chinese sinseh when I saw her at night. She was a bit concerned initially, as the red spots could mean that my platetet count is in dangerously low level. However, the blood test results that I took just a few days ago showed that the platetet was in the normal range (actually just pass the minimum level), so she doubt that could be the reason. She modified the medication and does wonder with her medicine. After taking the medicine for one day, the rashes are gone. So, it is worth it to take her medicine, even though it means 34 sachets of chinese herbs powder.
I had read in the internet sometime ago, that only 5% of patients with bile duct cancer can survive more than 5 years. Same statistics as pancreatic cancer. Not sure if I can break that statistic, as it means that there are only 5 out of every 100 patients. A friend told me that the statistics to me should be 50%. Either make it or not. So this is a higher probablility.
I was reading Shin's blog just now and one of the follower commented that her husband passed on 2 months after the diagnosis and he first knew the illness in mid Oct, which was the same time as me. I guess I am much luckier than him that I can still try and respond well to the chemo treatments. I am really grateful to my religion that I have survived this far. I guess it also helps that I am on the heavy side. So, there are more buffer for any weight loss, if any. I have more or less maintained the same weight since I started chemo. It fluctuates within 2 kg range, but nevertheless, I am still heavier than before starting chemo.
While waiting for my chemo treatment at NCC last Thursday, I saw a patient who was frail and sitting on a wheelchair. I started a conversation with him and asked him to consider TCM. He was initially resisitant about it. He was 41 years old with 3 kids, cancer at the liver and small intestines. He insisted on chemo, even though his oncologist did not recommend it. I told him that TCM helps to provide the immunity and base to tolerate the chemo. He looked stubborn, but his sister was telling me that they had try to talk to him and he refused to listen. She hoped that when he saw my physical look, he will give it a try. Eventually, he asked for the name card of my Chinese sinseh. I really hope that he will see the TCM doctor, and not just to get rid of me by taking the namecard.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Spring cleaning
5 February 2009, Thursday
When I was helping with the spring cleaning on the last day of pre-CNY, it brought back memories of my childhood days.
My father was a newspaper vendor for as long as I can remember. So, there were only a handful of off days for us, as we also helped him with mending the newspaper stall. On the last day of pre-CNY, we would be busy cleaning the house as a family, while my mum would be cooking. The food would be first offered to the ancestors, before we sat down and eat. Usually, the last chore for the night would be washing and mopping the floor and we would leave the honourable task to my elder brother. Those were the days....
So this year, my hubby got the kids to help with cleaning the doors and windows on areas that they could reach. They were enthusiatic and helped for a while. But soon they got bored. Well, I hope this memory will stay with them, just as they had stayed with me.
When I was helping with the spring cleaning on the last day of pre-CNY, it brought back memories of my childhood days.
My father was a newspaper vendor for as long as I can remember. So, there were only a handful of off days for us, as we also helped him with mending the newspaper stall. On the last day of pre-CNY, we would be busy cleaning the house as a family, while my mum would be cooking. The food would be first offered to the ancestors, before we sat down and eat. Usually, the last chore for the night would be washing and mopping the floor and we would leave the honourable task to my elder brother. Those were the days....
So this year, my hubby got the kids to help with cleaning the doors and windows on areas that they could reach. They were enthusiatic and helped for a while. But soon they got bored. Well, I hope this memory will stay with them, just as they had stayed with me.
Alvin, generous boy for once
5 February 2009, Thursday
On the first day of CNY, we were offering oranges to everybody within the family. Angeline asked if she should also gave oranges to Alvin and we said yes, as a mode of respect for the elders. Alvin turned around and asked if he needed to give Angeline a red packet, as he received one from each of the adults. So, we teased him and said yes, knowing that he is such a miser.
He quickly took his coin box and a red packet and ran into the bedroom. Soon after, he came out of the bedroom with a red packet on hand and gave it to Angeline. The adults were all jokingly saying that at best, he would only gave his sister $2. To all our surprise, he actually gave his sister $30. Not bad for someone who treasures his every cents.
At night, he told us that he was rich with the hongbao money. So I suggested to him that he should gave us a McDonald breakfast treat and agreed immediately. So, next morning, we went to McDonald and he paid for the breakfast without a wink.
Oh yes, must also talk about his another generous act. We went for a movie, after dinner on their birthday. He forked out $10 for his movie ticket. When we were home, we told him that $10 was not enough for the whole family to watch the show and it costed $50. So, he willingly took out $50 to me and told me to return the $10 that he had previously given to me.
So, this boy is really not that bad after all. At times, he says that he is saving his money to buy a big house. On other occasions, he will say that he wants to keep his money to buy PSP/Nintendo which he knows that I will not buy for him. I am more concerned that he will be indulged with the game machine and ruin his eye sight, which is already quite bad for a boy of his age.
On the first day of CNY, we were offering oranges to everybody within the family. Angeline asked if she should also gave oranges to Alvin and we said yes, as a mode of respect for the elders. Alvin turned around and asked if he needed to give Angeline a red packet, as he received one from each of the adults. So, we teased him and said yes, knowing that he is such a miser.
He quickly took his coin box and a red packet and ran into the bedroom. Soon after, he came out of the bedroom with a red packet on hand and gave it to Angeline. The adults were all jokingly saying that at best, he would only gave his sister $2. To all our surprise, he actually gave his sister $30. Not bad for someone who treasures his every cents.
At night, he told us that he was rich with the hongbao money. So I suggested to him that he should gave us a McDonald breakfast treat and agreed immediately. So, next morning, we went to McDonald and he paid for the breakfast without a wink.
Oh yes, must also talk about his another generous act. We went for a movie, after dinner on their birthday. He forked out $10 for his movie ticket. When we were home, we told him that $10 was not enough for the whole family to watch the show and it costed $50. So, he willingly took out $50 to me and told me to return the $10 that he had previously given to me.
So, this boy is really not that bad after all. At times, he says that he is saving his money to buy a big house. On other occasions, he will say that he wants to keep his money to buy PSP/Nintendo which he knows that I will not buy for him. I am more concerned that he will be indulged with the game machine and ruin his eye sight, which is already quite bad for a boy of his age.
Shin
5 February 2009, Thursday
I started writing on the blog, after watching the documentary show on Shin and reading her blog. For those who don't her, Shin is a Korean American who has breast cancer and subsequently the cancer has spread to multile organs, including her lung and brain. She is a woman full of zest and energy, even though I do not know her personally.
It is also from her that I start to think about what will happen to my family when one day I am no longer around with them. Of course, I hope that one day will not come so quickly, but life is so unpredictable. It does not matter how long you live, but the quality of the life that you have lead.
Shin has passed away on 27 January 2009 and has donated her body for cancer research. Even in her death, she is still thinking about how she can help others. What a remarkable woman!
She will constantly be my source of energy, even though that she is no longer around. She has brighten the light for many people and I hope that I will be able to emulate what she has done. May she rest in peace.
I started writing on the blog, after watching the documentary show on Shin and reading her blog. For those who don't her, Shin is a Korean American who has breast cancer and subsequently the cancer has spread to multile organs, including her lung and brain. She is a woman full of zest and energy, even though I do not know her personally.
It is also from her that I start to think about what will happen to my family when one day I am no longer around with them. Of course, I hope that one day will not come so quickly, but life is so unpredictable. It does not matter how long you live, but the quality of the life that you have lead.
Shin has passed away on 27 January 2009 and has donated her body for cancer research. Even in her death, she is still thinking about how she can help others. What a remarkable woman!
She will constantly be my source of energy, even though that she is no longer around. She has brighten the light for many people and I hope that I will be able to emulate what she has done. May she rest in peace.
5th cycle
5 February 2009, Thursday
Yesterday I went to NCC to review my blood test result and started my 5th chemo cycle. The turmor marker has dropped from 319 to 247 and one of the liver indicators has also dropped to normal range. Hooray! Looks like the new drug is working, with the combination of faith I have in the religion and the Chinese medicine works wonder. And of course, I must thank all my friends who have been praying for me.
The doctor told me that likely I will go all the way to complete 8 cycles and then do a PET scan again after the 8th cycle. He also shared with me that majority of the patients cannot sustain beyond 5 cycles. I am really pleased to hear that news and will press on. Half the battle won and half more to go.
Yesterday I went to NCC to review my blood test result and started my 5th chemo cycle. The turmor marker has dropped from 319 to 247 and one of the liver indicators has also dropped to normal range. Hooray! Looks like the new drug is working, with the combination of faith I have in the religion and the Chinese medicine works wonder. And of course, I must thank all my friends who have been praying for me.
The doctor told me that likely I will go all the way to complete 8 cycles and then do a PET scan again after the 8th cycle. He also shared with me that majority of the patients cannot sustain beyond 5 cycles. I am really pleased to hear that news and will press on. Half the battle won and half more to go.
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