Hi everyone,
I am Molly from Singapore.
I was only 30 years old when I was diagnosed with Stage 2C Ovarian Cancer. Ovarian Cancer bears vague symptoms and it is usually discovered at its late stage. I was blessed to discover during a key-hole surgery of removing a 7 cm cyst in my left ovary. The cyst has mutated into a cancerous tumor prior to the surgery. It was kind of unexpected as the result of my cancer tumor test was negative before the surgery. In knowing my diagnosis, I was shocked and sad because I was in the mist of collecting my new house keys and preparing to get married and start a family. I was even dreaming and planning to have kids. It was even more saddening to have my fiancé breaking the bad news to me. I remembered that I cried alot after that.
My gynae suggested a staging laparatomy which is to remove my womb, ovaries, omentum, cervix, appendix, lympnodes and colon resection. I was shocked and frightened by it. I went ahead to consult a few gynaeoncologist with the hope to hear that staging laparatomy is unnecessary. But all suggestions were to 'remove all'. I was scared and had many sleepless nights. I woke up in shock almost every night. Finally, I decided to go back to my gynae and I was referred to a senior consultant to take charge of my medical case.
I was really blessed to have the senior consultant who was also the chairman of the hospital’s medical board to operate on me. He was a compassionate doctor who told me, 'you are too young to have cancer, let us operate on you ok?' He calmly and meticulously explained the type of operation for me, promised a 100% treatment in return for me to give up my fertility. After which, he even ordered his nurse to bill me the subsidized consultation rate as it is noted that charges to see a senior consultant is higher. I was really touched by his kind gestures.
Prior to my major operation, my future mother-in-law brought many of her church friends to pray for me. They even came to visit me before my operation. I was really blessed to have an open-minded and big-hearted future mother-in-law to say words like, 'doesn't matter that you are unable to bear children, it doesn’t matter at all. What matters most is you. You must live and if you don't, my son will be very very sad.'
Two weeks after my operation, I was being scheduled for 6 cycles of chemotherapy. I had almost all the side effects like complete loss of hair, nauseating, vomiting, fatigue, body aches, joints pain, giddiness, constipation and lost of appetite. The night before each of my chemo session, I’ll feel demoralized and weakened because I know that I am going to fall 'ill' for the next 7 days again.
After completing my 6 cycles of chemo in April last year, I was on remission for about eight months and then unfortunately had a relapse. Again, I was 'lucky' to have discovered it early (during the routine 3-months checkup) and my doctor managed to do a clean surgery and removed all visible cancerous cells. However, I need to undergo chemotheraphy once again. I've just completed my 3rd cycle. The vomitting is worse this time round, but fortunately, no hair loss.
Nowadays, I am much more food and health conscious. I’m actively reading articles on health and discovering ways to approach my sickness in a more holistic way. I am also grateful to my cancer for teaching me to be more loving and forgiving especially to the people around me. It makes me realised that I'm blessed to have a loving family and friends who greatly supported me through my cancer journey. Life is short indeed. Cancer doesn't mean an end of your life but it means leading a different life or even a better life. We all die one day whether we die of a sickness, disaster or accident. Regardless of this, people still continue to work, enjoy and plan their future. Therefore, we should never let cancer deprive us from life enjoyment and fulfillment.
I've also started a blog and eForum - www.WeAreWonderWomen.com to share my personal experience in living with Cancer, and also many other health & food tips and even information on Traditional Chinese Medicine. I hope that the website can be a useful online resource, especially for young women who are battling this scary 'C' monster.
