Thank you once again for the overflowing prayers, blessings and messages. Your love keeps me even more positive! This post is a continuation from my first blog post of the year which you can find HERE on my discovery of having colon cancer.
Truly Big HUG to all of you!!!
Just to let you guys know, the percentage of a female to have colon cancer in her 20’s is only 2% of the general population. In terms of statistics, I clearly am the minority 2% mentioned, and it gets worse from there because my doctor, Datuk Yunus Gul mentioned prior to my first surgery that there may be a 5% chance I would have to wear a temporary colostomy bag as my tumour was nearer to my rectum. When he told me that, I swear I didn’t even know what a colostomy bag was and clearly didn’t google it because I had to go in and out of the hospitals for scans, and second opinions before my surgery a couple of days later.
Colostomy Bag Challenges
Imagine waking up after 48 hours of being groggy post surgery to finding out I was the “LUCKY” 5% to have the temporary colostomy bag. What I didn’t prepare for was the fact was that my intestines, basically my colon was pulled out of my body and placed into a bag because I had very low blood pressure, and the doctor needed to end the surgery if not I would basically die, and the only option was placing it into a colostomy bag. I wanted to put the pictures up BUT was told by my loved ones not too as it might be abit gross for some.. so google it ok?
I basically had to have a temporary colostomy bag for 6 weeks before they could reverse it. Being not prepared for it was probably what made it more challenging. The first week after checking out of hospital was the hardest because I had to change the bag myself.
It was difficult simply because the bag adhesive was just not sticking to my skin, and the intestines would bleed sometimes if I placed it on the wrong way. My skin was so sensitive to the adhesive that my skin started having rashes where the adhesive stuck too which means I would wake up in the middle of the night sometimes lying in my own feces. When the doctor pulled the intestines out, all feces came out from there instead of the usual route, so you can imagine what it meant to change it. Plus, it was an open wound. Having to change it, waking up to that situation was mentally, psychologically and physically draining I have to admit.
There were times I cried, twice the first week but you’ve heard the saying “Once you hit rock bottom, the only way is UP” and that was exactly what I did. If I have to live 6 weeks with it, I would just enjoy my time alone and it definitely did not deter me from leading a normal life right?
That’s exactly what I did, throw a party for my closest friends who knew and who were there for me. My network of support through my darkest days! Thank you so much guys!!! Much love from me<3
I even sneaked in an interview with Bella NTV7 on black and white lies. No one could tell as I did wear clothes to hide the bag ๐
Ambitiously went for an event and couldn’t fit into my dress because I was too thin!! That still didn’t deter me because if I was going to live 6 weeks with the bag, I might as well enjoy it!
Even had time to go for a holiday to Melaka with my parents, niece and Ben. It was tedious to bring along all the stuff to dress my wound, but who cares?!? Life is meant to be lived…
Instead of fretting over the bag, I enjoyed each day, spending time reading, getting to know myself and even writing.
Insurance Challenges
The other thing I had to go through besides cancer and the colostomy bag was the financial bit. During that one week I had to get things in order and finding out whether it was cancerous or not, my boyfriend contacted our insurance agent to ask him whether we could claim on my medical card for a growth. He immediately told my boyfriend that we couldn’t claim and subsequent calls to him were left unanswered.
What I had to do was find out his supervisors contact and contacted that person to aid us, and we found out he forgot to pay my insurance which I remitted to him for 6 months making my policy a “lapsed policy” ! Now, the hospital was very realistic, they wouldn’t allow me to go for the surgery or check-in without paying a deposit of RM24k because my surgery was expected to be RM42k.
In the end, we had to pay first with a credit card, and even my second surgery was the same. Through my entire ordeal, I also had to deal with insurance which wasn’t even my fault because I didn’t even know it lapsed!!!! We fought the case, made calls, and reported.. Finally, in November 2014, we got the claims plus my critical illness after much hassle and anguish and upfront payments first. I would personally like to thank my agent’s supervisor for helping us get it. It’s just that when you have cancer, you really don’t want tot deal with anything else and in the end, it’s the worry because we forked up RM60-70k upfront with no guarantee of getting it back!
For your information, as a cancer survivor, I have NO options left because no insurance will cover me anymore as I am considered a liability which means I have to stick to this insurance, the company, and the agent. Honestly, I shudder to think if my family and I didn’t have money to pay for my surgery and I couldn’t wait any longer in case the cancer spread… what would have happened?
I don’t want this to happen to anyone so here is my advice to all youth:
- Get a medical card with Critical Illness coverage, increase it as you grow older
- Make SURE you can TRUST your insurance agent. Don’t simply buy to help anyone but make sure you know you are buying from someone who has been in the industry for a very long time and has good track record. Some insurance agents even go to the hospital to check in with you.
- Get an EMPATHETIC insurance agent, basically someone who cares. The worse part about mine is that he didn’t care which makes me very disappointed. Going through cancer is one thing BUT having to deal with the financial bit on top of that really tests you.
- Best to direct debit from your credit card monthly instead of paying to a person. If you pay to a person, make sure you get a receipt.
GOOD NEWS is.. My colostomy has been reversed early August and what did I do? I started doing things I enjoyed which I couldn’t do while I was having it…
Went to the beach, Pangkor Laut resort and even wore a bikini!!
Hosted enjoyable events once I got back up on my feet with Eversoft Skinz and Olympus Malaysia.. It feels good to be working again:)
When I was allowed to travel in October, I couldn’t for awhile in case my joined colon rupture mid-air.. LOL, I travelled like no one’s business for work and leisure!!
Went to Korea for the Omega event with Joyce
Went to Bali to host an event for Intel fusing work and leisure
For those asking, I am lucky I didn’t need to go for chemo or radiotherapy as I detected it early. What I’ve learnt now is slowly learning to just let go… not fretting over the small things and just being happy. If my parents had their way, they rather I just stay at home and write but I need to earn money right? To pay for my medical bills which is not covered anymore 60 days post surgery.. T.T
Now, I truly live each day as it comes like my surgeon says, and enjoy life.
Btw, this is my surgeon who I highly recommend for colon related surgeries as he is sympathetic, and most importantly, he is genuine and cares.
Datuk Yunus Gul from Gleneagles/Prince Court. A general surgeon specializing in laproscopy and gastrointestinal specialist. Datuk calls me personally to check up on me. That’s how genuine he is <3
He is located on level 7, room 717 at Gleneagles or Level 2, room 2d at Prince court. You can contact direct line and ask for his office to make an appointment!!!
If you have further questions, please feel free to email me at [email protected] or PM me on my page at www.facebook.com/choomeisze
Most importantly, do share this with someone who you know is experiencing a colostomy bag at a young age.. I am here to help and speak to that person because when I was looking for someone to talk to during those days, most of them have already lived with it for 10 years and all above 50.
Thank you so much once again for all of your support and love!!! My next post will be related to surviving it and the mind as the miracle cure:)
Love,
Mei Sze
Hi Mei Sze,
You are indeed a real fighter, i hope this question does not come across silly but I was curious to know what made you go for a colonscopy in the first place? was something not right at the beginning?
Hi Mei Sze,
You’re indeed a real fighter. I hope this question doesnt come across silly but what made you feel at the beginning that something wasn’t right that you chose to go for a colonscopy?
Hi Shin,
IT was actually based on my father’s insistence. I will be writing my symptoms in my next post up on Thursday. Stay tuned:)
Thanks for reading!
Hi Mei Sze,
Thank you for the reply, can’t wait for the next post ๐
Hey babe, I have read your blog and I understand personally a cancer patient feels likes. My father has passed away last Nov, despite going for radio and chemo therapy. It did not help him as his is stage 3B. And he did not have any time left. I was upset though and blaming the care. But have to agreed on one thing, you are young and passionate kiddo who enjoys every moments. I am sure that no matter what happens, you will go through. I do understand the part of every cancer patient is diarrhea and vomiting. My father has that, and even tried TCM, but it did not work. But i know you have a chance to survive always believe!
Hi Janice,
I am so sorry to hear about your dad. For me, chemo and radio kills a person quicker.. I believe in alternative therapy. I am lucky as I am stage 1b and didn’t need chemo, just the surgery.
Thank you for reading but don’t be bitter.. time will heal, just be strong and positive!
Stage 1-2 should have high chance of surviving after the surgical removal. But, don’t assume. Start do lots of exercises and stay healthy – act as if it may reoccur.
If it does reoccur, don’t do any chemo. It won’t help anyway. Chemo will kill you.
My wife had a stage 3 colon cancer. It reoccurred 6 months after surgery+chemo. She didn’t make it.
http://chunhtan.blogspot.com/2014/11/gan-ai-chee-my-wife.html
Hi Chun,
Thank you for your msg. Yes, I have changed my lifestype and definitely exercising now.
Yes, chemo really kills… My doctors didn’t ask me to do it as well.
And I am so sorry for your loss. How did it reoccur? It was after chemo or after surgery?
after chemo
surgery removed the tumor and all the surrounding lymph nodes. Usually, doc will request for 6 months chemo after that. I think that’s still a valid treatment since the survival rate is 60% with this plan.
but, once it is reoccurred again, no chemo will help – it will just suppress the tumor.
we tried something call zhijiu. It did help, but tumor was too aggressive. We were not fast enough….
Anyway, everything was planned by someone up above, we really did not have lots of control…
Like someone told me, every cancer patient has a story.
I wish yours is an encouraging one with happy ending!
Please enjoy life! I think you will!
Hi Mei Sze,
Thank you for this blog, it is really helpful really. I am currently having the symptoms of diarrhea and abdominal pain for quite some time already since last year and I missed my appt. However, just about two weeks back, I saw a specialist and she ordered me to do colonoscopy. Can I know how often was your diarrhhoea a day? Like how many times a day do you need to go toilet. Did your stool keep changing in form? Eventually how did you find out you had cancer? Was it right after the colonoscopy? My appt is in March and I am so anxious now….however I do not have any blood in my stool
Hi Mei Sze,
Read up your blog and glad that bad days are over! (: Do have regular for follow ups. I would really want to know about your symptoms before your scope. Hope to hear from you soon!
Regards,
TTLim
Pls girl u need more than just medical . cold harsh medical is not the way. Pls visit http://www.Cancertutor.com it has all the alternatives u need. Pls dont give up
hi mei sze, read the previous post as well and find you very courageous to go through all these.. what’s even more admirable is that you went through it with smiles! of cos there are tears as well but you know, many only have the tears and no smile. it is proven that the mental well being is important to batter illnesses as well so.. great job!
really love your sharing except i was upset when i read about you saying ‘make sure you know you are buying from someone who has been in the industry for a very long time and has good track record.’ with regards to the insurance. it hit me because i disagree with this totally. personally because i just started my career in this industry and i dont belong to the those ‘in industry for very long time’ of cos being new also mean i dont have enough ‘good track record’. but i am very certain my sincerity and concern for my clients far exceed some who are in the industry for very long. actually this is a vicious cycle.. general public have mentality that must get from people who are in the industry for very long. new consultants get no cases, cannot survive and feed themselves so they have to leave. but.. this is just my personal thoughts on that point only and it doesnt remove my respect for you in any bit. continue to spread the strength and positivity!
Hi Ting,
Thank you for reading. I apologize for the statement on buying from someone who is in the industry a long time, but I still stand by having a good track record because there are many unscrupulous agents out there.
Perhaps, I would advise people as mentioned in the post to make sure the insurance agent has a long term goal to stay in the industry… I am happy you are doing good in th eindustry now:)
Hi Mei Sze,
Just want to understand a bit more about Colon cancer.
Since you don’t require additional treatment after the surgery, your cancer stage should be either stage 0 or stage 1, am I right?
Is the tumor big enough at that point already to require surgery already, it can’t be removed from a regular colonoscopy?
Glad that you are doing well now, you rocked that bikini with your solid body. Cheers!!!
Hi TTP,
Yes, the tumor was 1/3 the size of my colon. A tumor is already bigger than a polyp. Only a polyp can be removed via clonoscopy. Doctor said I was stage 1.5-2… withing a matter of 2-3 months later.. it would spread through my lymph nodes to the rest of the body…
Thank you for reading:) Hope I answered your questions!!
Mei Sze,
Understand that you have diarrhea for 3 weeks before you went for the scope.
Just want to find out what other symptoms do you have on top of the diarrhea?
For example some colon cancer symptoms could be:
– weight loss
– bloating
– abdominal distension
– fatigue, weakness
– blood in stool
etc…
Hi TP,
My only symprom is fatigue.. extreme fatigue sometimes..
Dear Mei Sze,
Your courage, strength and positivity puts myself and I believe many of us to shame. After reading through your ordeal, I’ve learnt that perhaps cancer is a disease of the brain. Once you put your mind to getting better, your body follows your thoughts…thats winning half the battle of fighting cancer!
I’m a new reader to your amazing blog and when you are ready, I hope you can write a post to relate how this was detected early, what made you go to the doctor and what were your symptoms onset. This will truly help create awareness to everyone out there to spot the signs.
Thank you Mei Sze! Glad ure all good now and go concur the world ๐
Hi Kristina,
Thank you for your msg:)
Do continue reading.. yes I believe cancer is mind over matter.. it is a natural cure.. I will definitely write the next post about my symptoms and early detection since many have been asking about it.
Stay up to date with my next few posts then!!
Well Mei Sze, what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger, and I’m glad to hear that you have won this battle on so many levels. Thanks for sharing the information. I am sure many in similar circumstances who come by this post will benefit from it! Any idea what could have led to your colon cancer? Maybe we could take precautions against it, if at all possible. A very close friend of my wife’s was recently diagnosed with final stage cancer and he’s only in his early 30s. Another friend of hers too, in his mid-40s. Seems young people are afflicted by cancer more and more these days. Anyway, glad to know you’re doing well now. Take care and have fun…always! ๐
Hi Devon,
In reagrds to yur question. Even the doctors don’t know as I have no family history. The only deduction is stressed as I eat really healthily as well before this…
Yes, younger people are getting it nowadays… so early detection is important
Dear Mei Sze,
Thank you for sharing your battle with Colon cancer. Now I know a thing or two about colon cancer, oh and that colostomy bag.
It must be a really tough period (based on ur descriptions), but you being you; you make it sound so easy and portraying your never say die attitude. You are just amazing.
That insurance agent ought to be shot, seriously.
P.S. Your bikini picture is rocking hot, especially all that have gone through
Dear Danbiel,
Thank you for reading:)
Well.. it’s never easy.. I broke down quite alot but picked myself up and continue the battle to recovery!!!!
Yea.. that insurance agent… ๐
Hi Mei Sze,
Came across your blog through social media sharing. Wow you are very strong and determined. Can’t notice anything at all from the pictures, look so normal and healthy. Best of all, u live your life to the fullest which is great. About the insurance I’m kinda worried about the claiming too as I discovered severe bleeding whenever I take a dump for the past weeks but still too afraid to consult a doctor as I’m a very private person and dislike anybody to touch me. After persuasion I made a promise to my family to go to the hospital after my upcoming trip in couple of days. Fingers crossed and hope for the best.
Stay strong…
Hi Alicia,
Well, don’t worry about what you don’t know. It could be hemorrhoids. So, just consult a doctor and check-up, that’s the first step:)
Good luck and you stay strong too!!
Thank you Mei Sze this is all very informative.
Hi Jim,
Thanks:)
Hi, any symptom on your body prior u found out that u have a colon cancer?
Hi Elise,
Symptoms were really mild. Will write about it in my next post;)
Hi,
Maybe i missed it but what made u go do the check up and discovered your cancer? what were your signs and symptoms?
thanks
Hi JOhnson,
It was prolong diarrhea for 3 weeks and no meds helped. Hence, my dad insisted on the scope. However, my docto said I was too young to do it as it is an evasive procedure. I plan to write about my symptoms in my next post.. very mild ones to be honest.
I am sorry to hear this news, it is a sad case for can’t claim the insurance, hopefully you can get well soon~
My father surgeon doctor too. But that is 15 years back, that time he was at General hospital and he is really a responsive and great doctor! If I see him again, will surely give him a big hug โกโก
Hi Michelle,
Yes, he is!! Such a caring doctor:)
It’s heartwarming to know that you have won the battle! Not many people are able to cope with cancer with such positive attitude and spirit! I personally would like to salute you for that.
On the insurance bit, I am an agent from AIA myself and I always insist on clients to use credit card, autopay, or write a cheque then I’ll fill in AIA BHD in front if them to avoid any problems like what you have faced. Needless to say, one can only know how important it is to have medical & health insurance after encountering an incident.
It is difficult on my part to preach this to the public. Hope you will do a post on importance of it. Do consult me if you need help on any insurance related matters.
Alas, get well soon and continue to shine in everything you intend to pursue! ๐
HI Johnson,
Thank you for your msg. Yes, I advice everyone to autodebit now. It was a real hassle and burden to pay upfront for my parents!!
Will definitely write a post on it soon… !!
Get well Soon Meisze! ๐
Thank you:) I am much better now!!!