I apologize if I have to rewind a little bit before I speak about the “Miracle Cure” as many have been messaging me and asking what were my symptoms and what made me go for colonoscopy.
To be honest, I was having diarrhea or so called diarrhea for about a year before that. Every once a month, I would be affected by something I ate and go to the toilet 6-7 times a day. I thought it was normal or had a sensitive stomach to Malaysian food since coming back from the States. I didn’t even consult a doctor for it.
It was my PersonEdge team, shirley in particular who would tell me to watch my diet, so lunch meetings would be held at “clean” eateries.
The last straw came when I had prolong diarrhea for 3 weeks, and no medication could help, all it did was harden the stool. My dad insisted I see a gastrointestinal specialist as he felt something was really wrong. The specialist was very nice and even sat me down telling me that it’s an evasive procedure and I didn’t need to do it as I was young.
Due to my dad’s insistence I went, and the rest you guys already know…
The picture I posted the day I checked in for colonoscopy. When I found out I had a tumor, I completely regretted putting it up… I still laugh now thinking about how my caption stated about being bare faced, something so trivial to what’s about to come! Guys, don’t play around when you are in the hospital k?
Many have asked about blood in my stool, I swear I couldn’t see it till I was diagnosed. You have to STARE at your stool to see traces of it because it doesn’t come out in torrents, just lining the stool which makes it harder to detect. The other symptom I had was fatigue, it got worse and worse by the day. By 12 noon, I would be very tired. From my understanding, fatigue is a sign for all types of cancer but many of us will probably brush it off as nothing which I now know is dangerous.
These are the symptoms I had but if you google colon cancer, there are more. The worse thing is that it’s so undetectable and when you can detect it, it’s too late. So, my dad in a way saved my life!
Another thing I really want to write about is the “miracle cure” or what I think really helped me pull through. The biggest thing about pulling through cancer or anyone’s darkest days would be the MIND, it’s amazing how you can will your body to heal. Of course, support from friends and family, and prayers really help but when it comes down to fighting it, I really believe the mind which is where the believe to heal comes from.
After properly waking up from my first surgery and finding out I had a colostomy bag, I couldn’t believe I had no reaction to it, but rather focused my mind on working my intestines. You see, the normal procedure before you are allowed to consume anything would be for your intestines to start working, which means hearing noises, farting, and also peeing. It’s not easy as you are not allowed to MOVE, DRINK or EAT for days waiting for this to happen. Everyone around me got angrier day by day because they thought, if nothing was going through my mouth, how is anything going to happen.So, all I could do was lie down, smile, and look up at them. By the 4th day, my intestines started to move, and we could hear farting from the colostomy bag… that’s when I could start drinking water.
Then, I told myself that the next day I will continue to improve to be able to sit up and I did. By the 6th day, I was able to slowly sit up to an upright position and ate soft food! That first bite was soooooo good as I didn’t eat for almost a week!
By the 7th day, I could walk to the chair in the room, another achievement unlocked. Everyday, all I did was willed myself to achieve small things be it moving, drinking, eating or anything. Datuk Yunus told me my improvement and healing was really fast as some stayed in the hospital for weeks!
During my colostomy period, I kept myself busy and willed my intestines to properly heal and before I knew it, Datuk gave me one week advance to conduct my surgery!!! WOOOTTTTTT!!!! Everyday when I cried or had an emotional breakdown from the colostomy bag, I said one thing to myself
TOMORROW I WILL BE STRONGER THAN TODAY!
It was the month after my surgery that I started emceeing again with my first event being Olympus’s media launch! Everyone asked me why I still worked as I am still in my recovery mode up till now even, there are side effects to the surgery btw… My answer is very simple, I can’t hole myself up in a house when I am still able in mind and body and logically, work keeps my mind off the side effects, and helps me pay for medical bills right?!? 🙂
However, I don’t overwork, I take it slowly and focus more on hosting, writing, and things I love doing
Now, my focus is on spending time with family, friends, people who have supported me, and slowly regaining weight. Holidays help alot!
Manage to gain maybe 1 kg while at Pangkor Laut Resort
By the time it came to head to Seoul for the Omega event, I was only 2 kg’s away from my normal weight!!!
And now, I am 0.5kg from my normal weight and working towards putting on more!!!!
I will admit it’s difficult on some days due to the side effects but I don’t cry anymore when it happens, I just live my day as normally as possible. Datuk Yunus, my consulting specialist even told me I am almost back to normal now and he’s impressed at how fast I’ve recovered.
Wallowing in the “why me?” mode won’t help if you are afflicted with an illness or anything even financial difficulties. All you need to do is change that mindset, find a solution and leave it in God’s hands to show you the way. Be strong because the more we cry, the worse we feel… On the other hand, if we think positive and know we can heal, the odds of recovering from an illness, or financial difficulties is much easier because the body tells the mind what to do!!! Time to release those feel good hormones guys!!! <3
Do comment, or message me and I will answer each and everyone of your questions.
Love,
Mei Sze
A few years ago when I was in my mid 30s, I have non stop diarrhea ang purging for over a week and my doctor referred me to a gastroenterologist who also recommended I did a colonoscopy. At that time I was very hesitant as I didn’t think I required such an invasive procedure. In fact I was kinda angry with him for insisting on it. But after reading your post here on how important it was for detecting your cancer I now understood why he was insistent. Thanks for sharing your story. God bless
Hi Liz,
Yes, now we all know how important it is:)
Hi Mei Sze,
Your story is indeed an inspiration to the young sufferers. In my profession as a nurse and having worked in a hospice, young sufferers generally do not react positively to the illness, instead they wallow in self-pity and then their condition worsens.
Please continue to be strong and courageous as you continue your life journey. Thank you for stepping out to share and be a testimony that one still can live well. Take care and I wish you all the best! (:
Hi Adeline,
Firstly, I applaud you for being a nurse as I had a few very good nurses which triggered me tow rite about them here:
http://meisze.com/nursing-a-selfless-profession/
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the sufferers.. I know many always wallow i self-pity which is something I always advocate not to do…… Keep up the good work:)
Is really good to hear you had recover. Thanks for sharing your experience.
No problem:) I hope it helps people!
Hi Mei Sze,
I’ve seen you so many times in the media and pictures on Facebook, but never expected that you were facing cancer. You always looked so bright, cheery and healthy. Just found out today from the AsiaOne article.
I don’t know how terrible a disease cancer is, but I can imagine it’s terrifying. Your courage, positivity and spirit is amazing. Take care and please keep inspiring the rest of us.
All the very best.
Hi Aaron,
Thank you for your thoughtful message:) Much appreciated.
Hi ,
I just came across your article about colon cancer. My dad was diagnosed with colon cancer 3 years back after a prolong period of constipation. The doc told us that his tumor was the size of a tennis ball after the colonoscopy. He underwent surgery to remove the tumor and he did not have a stoma bag. We were glad but complications came. There was a leak in the intestines one week after surgery and he had blood poisoning. He underwent emergency surgery and was fighting to stay alive. It was a trying time for our family. He fought for his life in the ICU for 3 weeks. I thank God he won the fight and survived but with a stoma bag which he had to carry for 6 months. After he had another surgery to reattached the intestines. He had recovered now. It agree with you that the mind is the most important thing in any fight. I believe that you have overcome the disease because of your positive outlook. As You said, we can win any fight in our lives if we can program our mind in the right direction. Our best days are still out ahead of us.
Hi Karyn,
Thank you for sharing and I am glad your dad has recovered:) Yes, septicemia is very bad, so my doctors pump me with antibiotics right after the surgery to prevent just in case which should have been done on yoru end as well.
However, I wish your dad all the best in leading an awesome life!!!
You’re so brave! And I’m so glad you’ve recovered so well. Thank you for sharing and inspiring us and I’m sure you’ll be a motivation especially to those who are going through similar experiences.
Hi Mechell,
Thank you for reading and commenting:) All of your messages encourages me further!!
I am amazed at how I managed to come across your blog and story, Mei Sze. Just like you, I am a 28 year old who was diagnosed with colon cancer in June of last year and have undergone the EXACT same experience as you – from the insistence of my mom to see a GI specialist, to the number of days you were in the hospital for surgery and even your current challenges to regain weight post-surgery. To top it off, I too, am currently 0.5kg away from my normal weight.
Could not agree more with how you’ve dealt with your diagnosis. I admire your fortitude in dealing with this difficult obstacle and wish your all the mental, emotional and physical strength it takes to get your life back in full swing. Look forward to more posts like this, as it serves as an inspiration to fellow cancer warriors. Cheers to new beginnings and a healthy year ahead!
Hi Natasha,
OMG.. I am so sorry to hear that.. and how uncanny it is that you had the same experience as I did.
You wore a colostomy bag too?!?! Both surgeries.. I had to repeat the proccess all over again.. the not drinking and eating bit…
Thank you for shairng you story too!!!!!! 🙂 Keep fighting!!
Not easy for me but I will try my best. Mine going to do Lymphoma Chemotherapy later today. Wish me luck!
I wish you the bestest of luck!!! Believe that you can cure and one more thing, when you start crying because it hurts or it’s too difficult… just know you can be stronger tomorrow than you can today.. Big HUG!
wow.Thank you. 🙂