14
issue cancer
by NURUL AIN
HUDA ABDULLAH
ainhuda@revonmedia.com
Tan Soh Hooi
about to dive off
the platform at
the Canyon Swing,
New Zealand.
The HEALTH | APRIL, 2018
F
EARLESSLY launching off a cliff from 109 metres high, into a 200
metre swing over the Shotover River with a 60 metre vertical free fall
down a steep rocky cliff face is not an ordinary feat. This is an intense,
adrenaline stimulating activity achieved by the dauntless.
Determined to do something memorable on her 50th birthday, Tan Soh
Hooi took the plunge. It was a decision she’d made a year earlier, when she
was first diagnosed with cervical cancer.
“Adamant that I will not allow cancer to daunt me off my will to live, I spent three
weeks in South Island, New Zealand before taking the plunge. At that moment, I resolved
to live like no tomorrow. If anything should happen, I would have lived happy.”
“This was right after a gruelling six weeks of chemotheraphy, radiotherapy followed
by high intensity brachytherapy,” she said.
However, the news was not easy to digest the first time she was diagnosed.
“I remember that I was stubborn and that I supressed a lot of feelings.”
“When I was 46 years old, a close friend came to visit. An avid marathon runner, she
encouraged me to join her. I knew I wasn’t in any shape to run and even if I did, it would
be one that was lesser than 100 metres. Determined, I did cardio exercises and yoga in
addition to abstaining from sweet treats.”
“This made me drop 18 kilogrammes. That was when I ran my first marathon; a 12
kilometre run,” she said sounding gleeful.
In August the following year, she ran another half marathon.
“Feeling as fit as a fiddle and having done regular pap scans, I couldn’t believe my
ears the moment I was diagnosed. Initially, I was so angry as I had lost all that weight.
Nevertheless, I came to terms after a while and started doing research before doing a
hysterectomy.”
“Of course, that didn’t deter me
from running another marathon once I
recuperated. But, this time around, I ate
whatever. I refused to live as a cancer
patient at the age of 49 and recom-
menced all travel plans to New Zealand
for the following year,” she explained
with a smile.
Assuming cancer was out of the way
the following year, she took on several
interior designing jobs and kept busy
until the month of May. During the same
month, she ran another marathon.
It wasn’t long after when she had a
relapse.
“This time, I was devastated, worried
if I would survive. Flashes of both my
children kept playing on my mind. I
wanted them to continue their studies
abroad in addition to financial worries.”
“For these reason, I decided to face the
problem than being in denial. I started
attending talks at the National Cancer
Society Malaysia (NCSM) where I was
encouraged to open-up emotionally. I felt
a huge sense of relief compared to before
as I’ve always viewed crying as a sense
of weakness.”
I also practiced Qigong which made
me feel much better,” she said.
Gaining strength through breast
cancer support groups
A
S for Citra Dewi, actively participat-
ing in breast cancer support groups
and campaigns is what keeps her
strong, in addition to having her daugh-
ter as her fortitude.
“Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016
and having to undergo a mastectomy at
the age of 43, I still feel very sad as I’m
no longer perfect as a woman. I abstain
from intercourse and still do not have
the courage to undress in front of my
husband.”
“During chemotheraphy, I suffered
severe hair loss, swollen face and had lost
my teeth as well. However, I feel blessed
that I had my family, husband as well
as the support of friends during these
Citra Dewi (first from left) with other
participants at Estee Lauder’s Pink
Ribbon 25 campaign.
tough times. The best I could do now, is
to return the favour to other women who
suffer similar fate as I,” said Citra.
Calysta Tay Yilynn in a dune buggy while
participating in extreme sports.
Lymphoblastic leukemia
survivor dancing to life
T
O Calysta Tay Yilynn, 25, living a
normal life, cooking, dancing, apply-
ing make-up, bonding and sharing
experiences is the best way forward.
Diagnosed at the age of 10 with lympho-
blastic leukemia (ALL), she underwent
chemotheraphy for two years before she
was considered cured.
Today, the Biotechnology degree
holder who is currently working as a
medical conference organiser based in
KL is an advocate of the Young Survivor
Group at NCSM. She reminds others that
cancer is not gender bias and hopes that
there will be more awareness campaigns
to educate the society that cancer is not
contagious.
Making life meaningful
with photography
I
NITIALLY finding it hard to secure
employment due to having a colostomy
bag since infancy in addition to being
diagnosed with thyroid cancer at the
age of 21, Lavania Nagarajan decided to
put her setbacks aside by focusing on
photography two years back.
Living by the motto “Don’t find the
meaning of life but make life as mean-
ingful as possible”, Lavania today takes
maternity and new baby shots. This
23-year old hopes to develop her skills
in portraits.
Tan Soh Hooi beats
cancer, plunge highest
cliff in New Zealand
Three others live meaningful lives through cancer
An outdoor photography of a pregnant
mother that was captured by Lavania
Nagarajan.