Eyes of the Beholder

Yes, its official, my little angel face has just become a statistic in the worsening problem of children afflicted with myopia in Singapore. We received a letter from the Health Promotion Board to bring her in for an eye test. We didn't think much of it, as she has not exhibit any problems with her vision.

Anyway, Mike is extremely upset about it, and erm...in denial now that her Precious is in need of spectacles. He kept asking Nic if she recognises all the letters in the alphabet. I guess we would probably be a wee bit comforted if her poor eyesight was a result if reading too much books. Unfortunately, its likely due to watching too much TV and computer games.

Well, at this point in time, other than saving for her college funds, we would probably have to start saving up for Lasik treatment before she evolves into Ugly Betty

Day of Reckoning II

Its amazing how a 15 minute conversation with my oncologist can relieved all the stress for the entire week. My Oncologist is the sweetest lady. She knew I was early for my appointment, and called me in before it was really my turn. Guess she knew i was anxious to find out....


The results: everything stable, no new spots on the bones ..phew!! Yup, not even the "spot" on the foot that the radiogragher saw. And suddenly the pain on my foot disappeared as well. hehehe


Mike and me celebrated by catching a movie. We caught The Dark Knight. It was a good show. I enjoyed the late Heath Ledgers portrayal as the Joker. He is bad to the core, and so sinister. And I thought christian bale is so cute. sigh.........

Back to some normalcy...at least till the next scan

Day of Reckoning

Seeing the Doc in a couple of hours time. Mike is coming along with me, though i thought it may not be really necessary. Afterwhich, will be getting my monthly dose of Zometa.

My spirits are rather low at this point in time. I have this feeling that there may be a new spot at the heel of my left foot. Strange that i didn't notice it until the Radiographer pointed out the spot during the scan last week. My back is also feeling rather achy. Hopefully, its because of the medication wearing off after a month, and not so much because of new spots. Think my spine is beginning to look like this....

On another note, there is a very kind soul out there who has been sms-ing me on a rather regular basis, like once or twice a week. He / She has been sending me encouraging passages from the bible, greetings to have nice day, etc. for the past year or so, without any imdication of who he / she is. I have kept some messages, deleted some. I have replied some of the messages, but fallen short of calling that number. I have yet to find out who this person is. Whoever you are, THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart...Perhaps someday, I will know who you are...

Where the Hell is Matt? (2008)

For some unknown reason, this video puts a silly smile on my face, and my spirits are lifted watching this silly guy dancing from country to country. I could watch it over and over again. Check out his webby at www.wherethehellismatt.com for a greater insight on this funny fellow.

BTW, singapore is being featured as well. Its into 3 minute plus of the video.

Hope it brings you just as much joy

Ingenious Ways to Save time and Needle Prinks

Got myself scanned. The day went about in an uneventful manner. As usual, Mike accompanied me, and waited together with me while i waited for my turn at each station.

My first stop at 0930 hrs was the Cancer Centre for Blood Test to check on the Kidney and Liver function. Learned from prior experience, that if you ask, the nurse can help you set the plug as well. So that saves you 2 (or even more if you have tiny veins like mine) needle prinks for the Bone scan and CT. And from countless horrific experience in hospitals, the nurses at the Cancer Centre are the Best-est obscure vein finders (the doctors are the worst cos' they out of practice) **Pats myself on back** So proud of myself to think about that.

Second Stop at 1015hrs: Bone Scan. Got myself jabbed with the radioactive isotope. Proceed to have brunch, cos' have to start fasting soon after for CT scan. After brunch, proceed to the radio imaging centre, to collect the horrific contrast drink, which i need to down, so that they are able to see my insides.

So i save some more time, downing the contrast, while waiting for my turn for the bone scan, while reading pretty current magazines.

Finally, they called for me to go in for the bone scan at 1.00 pm. Took extra long time to finish the scan. Hmmmm... they took "close ups" for my torso area, and even my feet. Radiographer said that they see spots there. Dunno what to say...and think

Anyway, last stop was for CT scan. Nothing eventful... probably cos' am totally zapped of my energy by then.

Went home, and slept early. Sleep provides relief... both from worry and the hustle and bustle of the day's event. Results Out next Monday

Gonna Have my Insides checked...

Yup, the much awaited scan day is just a couple of hours away.

Gonna have my liver and kidney function check
Gonna have Bone scan done
Gonna have CT scan for the abdominal area
Gonna be pricked and poked, and injected with radioactive stuff.

Feeling pretty calm about it.

Other than that, nothing much to blog about...

Five Year Mark...Yay?

As of sometime in mid-July, it will be the 5th year of my cancer diagnosis. I had my surgery on the 04 August 2003. Its probably around this time that I was disgnosed with the cancer. I remembered I was running around like a headless chicken making arrangement for the surgery, making arrangement for nic to be taken care of while i was away in the hospital, handling the paperwork with HR. All these while trying to grasp with the painful reality of the news.

Anyway, doesn't this revelation puts me statistically in the optimistic group of women who are still alive five years later? I always kind of thought the statistic referred to women who were alive five years later without having recurred, but now I'm not so sure that's what they mean.

Perhaps, even in my current state, it IS still considered a victory? Yay....

Despite the aches and pains on my spine and pelvis, I am happy to still be here sucking air, even though I had been hoping for more...

Inspirational Speech by Dr. Randy Pausch: The Last Lecture

This is such an inspiration lecture by Dr Randy Pausch who is diagnosed with end staged Pancreatic Cancer, and has been given 6 mths to live. He is a lecturer by profession, and gave the "The Last Lecture" to rave reviews. Here is a snippet which was shown on Oprah show. He is really candid, and funny, and there are just so many truths in it. Hope you enjoy it