A Center of Support - Cancerlink

Me & Ryusei

Hey Everyone,

I'm feeling GOOD : )

Started work & coping with the daily activities again. 

Recently I have visited this non-governmental / non-profit organization called CANCERLINK.
Spent 2 hours there to understand the organization's objective on helping cancer patients.
It was truly an eye opener for their applaudable efforts to help the cancer patients & caretakers. The centre was well equipped as well.

CancerLink Newsletter

CANCERLINK started off end Jul 1986.
It has been actively promoting cancer awareness, providing emotional, practical & information support for the patients afflicted with cancer.
Below is the list of daily support services which the centre provides.

Information Resource Centre

It has a good source of books, magazines periodicals & audiovisual tapes on cancer & health subjects.

Homestay for Outstation Patients

The centre provides free temporary accommodation for those from outstation while they seek treatment at the hospitals. It has 1 room for men & another for lady patients.
The beds and surroundings are clean for a good night sleep.
In order to utilize this facility, the patient must be accompany by a caretaker & documents to proof themselves as cancer patient.

Cancer Counseling

The centre provides face to face and telephone counseling services as well. Its open to the cancer patients as well as the family members & friends.

Support Group Programme

Its convened for cancer patients & their care-givers. Objective is to assist them to cope with cancer & instill a desire for a better quality of life & living with cancer.

Cancer Care Emporium

There are many support equipments like wheelchairs, bedpans, urinals, crutches & walking sticks on loan to anyone whom needs it. Individually fitted breast prostheses are made at Cancerlink & are dispensed at cost.
In certain circumstances, these are provided with the compliments of the Foundation.

Qi Qong & Yoga

Classes are conducted on Tuesday(Yoga) & Thursday(QiQong) by volunteers. Its open to all.

Cancer Awareness Programmes

The organization provides information on signs & symptoms of cancer, lifestyles causing cancer and the treatment for cancer. These are disseminated through posters, leaflets and booklets. Then its distributed throughout the country in schools, colleges, clinics, hospitals and corporate sector.

Cancer Campaigns

Seminars, talks, exhibitions, socio-informative and health focused programmes are conducted regularly for the benefit of the public.

ANNUAL SUPPORT CARE PROGRAMMES

SERI ENDON VICTORY VENTURES

A holistic and fun filled programme of activity for youth(below 27yrs), to enable constant recovery and revitalization of their lifestyles. Its objective is to renew & strengthen the powerful aura of youth by developing skills to overcome fear, anger & pain caused by cancer.
Very good & encouraging for young adult cancer patients.

RAINBOW CONNECTION

A comprehensive programme of motivational activity, inspirational enjoyment and fun for adult CancerCHAMP - to cultivate the on-going support programme available through CANCERLINK FOUNDATION.
This holistic series of activity are very popular, particularly amongst those who are diagnosed with cancer for the 1st time. Due to the popularity, the registration for attendance is over subscribed !!! 

SUNSHINE CAMP

This is an annual motivational programme designed to assist cancer stricken children to regain confidence and develop their cognitive skills. Its held during the 3rd term school holidays.
Children between the ages of 6 ~ 16 who are afflicted with cancer attend this 4-day camp. This camp is composed of multifarious activity. An on-going inter-active programme is arranged throughout the year with the children and their parents through Social Events.



Newsletter
A complimentary quarterly newsletter on the events of the foundation and articles related to cancer are distributed to the general public eg. donors, volunteers, schools, colleges, clinics, hospitals, libraries and nursing schools.
This newsletter also has tons of information introducing the types of cancer, how to keep an eye for signs & symptoms, introducing food to defeat cancer etc. If I put all the newsletter up, its like a general dictionary to cancer (just like "Cancer for Dummies").

Cancer Care Conference

An annual conference organized to support and assist the cancer care-giver. It speaks columes for its purpose & need.


PERSATUAN CANCERLINK MALAYSIA - Branch Operations
Currently there are 3 vibrant branches in Penang, Kuantan & Ipoh. The organization will open its 4th branch in Johor very soon. All branches have the same objectives, activity & funding similar to that of CancerLink Foundation.

Add : 13, Jalan Utara, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor D.E.

Tel : 603-7956 9499 / 6419 / 7789

Fax : 603-7957 9310

Email : cancerlk@tm.net.my

Website : www.cancerlinkfoundation.org

 

This is definately the centre to look for support & encouragement.

Don't be shy. Go & see them. 

You will be surprised on how much the centre can help you with your fight with cancer.

 

 *The above article & pictures are adapted from the CancerLink newsletter.  
All printing rights belongs to CancerLink Foundation.

6mths Later, A Life To Look Forward To.

Tenshi no Hashigo (Angel's Staircase)

Hello Everyone,
WOW ~!

After 6 mths of visiting the hospitals, the sheer pain, the constant dreams, the love & care which my family had given me.... I have finally finished this chapter of my life.
Now, I'm entering into a new chapter & I'm so glad that you all have read & supported me all the way.
Nothing touches me more than the care that you had showed.... THANK YOU.

Having cancer, as I found out, is not the end of the life journey. ( no doubt I did have the DEATH thought).
Its just another chapter, just like any story book when the lead character seems to hit a roadblock & all seems lost. But at the end, the book always have a happy or meaningful ending.

Morning sky at my home

Let me sum the pain which I had gone through... the side effects which I had when I did the bronchoscopy before being diagnosed with cancer. I vomited & blood was oozing from my nose, my head was turning non stop. It was so nauseous & it lasted till the next day.

Evening sky at my home

Right after my 1st chemotherapy, my wisdom tooth made my left cheek swollen & it was pus infected as well. I cant sleep at night & it was such a horrible painful  experience. The extraction was also very painful as well.... lots of blood & I turn white. First time I collapsed at home due to the pain.

Evening at Sepang Golden Palm

Then, there was the operation at Mt Elizabeth. I had to go through a major operation just to extract the cancerous trachea & some lymph nodes. Now, I have a 1ft scar top down on my chest.
That was painful as well since the rib cage & flesh tissues were cut open during the operation.

The side effects were horrible too. I have physical body pain, lots of pimples all over my body, ulcers, wind in my stomach, constant vomiting, nauseous, wild dreams... it's just too many to tell.

Its 4 wks now since my last chemotherapy.
I saw the oncologist doctor & am so glad that I just need to go back in 1.5 mths time for an Xray to see the progress of the recovery, as well as to monitor any cancer recurrence.

Based on the color of my face, my enthusiasm & my fighting spirit, the doctor doesn't seems worried about my condition. Even my chinese doctor also told me the same thing.
The first 3yrs will be vital & I need to take care of my diet, my lifestyle & exercise regularly to avoid recurrence of cancer. There are still many food which I'm not allow to touch.
Well, its better to listen to the doctors advise & lower the chances of  getting cancer again.








I just came back from a short trip in Singapore with my family
I made a visit to meet Dr Agasthian & nurse Audrey as well. Was very happy to meet them & introduced my son to them.

Tokyo Disneyland

At Sg Flyer

Ryusei's B-day cake

Then I had a wonderful trip to the Singapore Flyer, Singapore Zoo & to Universal Studio Singapore, together with Alan, Felicia & Javier.
Really thankful that they had spent some time with us. Ate lots of good food & spent a few hundred bucks at UniQlo Sg. Our timing was just right for the Great Singapore Sales.

Rykiel & Ryusei

Xmas Tree

Met Rykiel on Sunday. Was so glad to see her after so long. Ryusei received a very nice present & he was so thankful to Rykiel. Kept saying how he loves his toy & going to show off to his friends at school. 
Stayed at Value Hotel Thomson. Even though the room was small, it was clean & we had good rest for the 3 nights.Had a good swim at the pool as well.

Haddyai

Alan, Felicia & Javier

Singapore Zoo

Now, I have to take things easy. Lead a quality life. Start to stop & take notice of the things which I had been missing. Life just isn't about work. Its about your family, relatives & friends. Apart from that, there is the WORLD which we need to see.... so many places which we have not been.

Family pix at Orchard Rd

There are also so many experience to look forward to... Fathers Day, Mothers Day, Weddings, Birthdays, Family Gatherings, Friends Gathering, Sports Day, Christmas, Chinese New Year... how can we miss all of these? Every event brings a wonderful memory.

Hotel Swimming Pool

You know what I would like to do now?
1. Have a nice holiday with my family
2. Have a good dinner with my parents & my in-laws whom had helped me so much
3. Maybe take up MBA
4. Finish payment for all my liabilities
5. Rare a dog (BINGO)
6. Help other cancer patients to go through their journey
7. Trip to UK & EU
8. Renovate my house
9. Catch up with all my buddies
10. Buy a condominium

Beautiful Hybrid Hibiscus

With these objectives in life, I have to move forward & not to look back nor think of the cancer anymore. With so many things to do, I can't afford to go through another round of therapies.
Therefore, think positive, have goals in my life, take things easy & take 1 step at a time.
Life is worth living once we know what to live for.
This is the start of a quality life.

Cheers : )

p/s : I will be back to work in 1 1/2 wks time. Trying to get the body up to it.
Nxt topic - Seeking HELP When You Have Cancer