Hi,
My good friend, Siew Koon is a Cancer Survivor for 33 years. I would like to share with you her testimonial which was written and published in 2006 to spread the message to cancer patients that cancer is not a death sentence if discovered early and treated properly.
Since then Siew Koon is very active in her community & social work, living her life to the fullest.
Below is her testimonial entitled “Reminiscence” (written in 2006)
I thank God for allowing me to be a breast cancer survivor for 33 years. I had a radical mastectomy in May 1973 in General Hospital, Penang. I spent my 27th birthday recovering from this major operation.
At that time, lumpectomy, simple mastectomy and chemotherapy were not practiced. I was given 30 dozes of radiotherapy in six weeks at the Nuclear Clinic in General Hospital Kuala Lumpur. It was the only hospital in the country with radiotherapy facilities then. At no time was the word “cancer” ever mentioned in either hospital.
When I was told that I needed the operation I was a little lost. I regained my senses immediately when I saw my father standing quietly by my hospital room window, stealthily wiping rears from his eyes. I realized the pain he suffered was far more tremendous than mine.
It then dawned on me that God had made the best choice possible. If God had chosen my mother, I would think that my pain would have been more agonizing. Being a very sheltered housewife, she could not have managed. If God had chosen my two older sisters, that would have been terrible too. Both were married with two very young children. Then, if God had chosen my only younger sister, it would disrupt her tertiary education. That would not do! I was indeed the best candidate. I had completed my basic university education. Being unattached, I did not have to worry about rejection from boyfriend or husband or in-laws. The 27 years I had were wonderful. I had caring parents, loving siblings, sincere friends and success in both school and university. I was ready to go.
33 years ago, there was no support group. The doctors, though caring, had no time to give much attention or counseling. I remember leaving the hospital with lots of tissue paper stuffed in my brassiere. “Cancer” then was an unmentionable word.
My friends and colleagues visited, showed concern but the subject was never discussed. Nobody asked me about my condition. Perhaps they did not ask for fear of hurting me. I also never volunteered any information to anyone for fear of being misinterpreted.
It was only in 1986, that I had the avenue to share my personal experience. To date, I have visited and counselled some 120 ladies who have lost their breasts to cancer, listening to their trials and tribulations and sharing with them my own experience. I have also given talks on the topic to interested parties.
My life did change after May 1973. My academic dreams flew out of the window. After all, I was earning enough as a graduate teacher. Teaching was then a respected and respectable occupation. Thus, I pursued my hobbies to the fullest.
I began to take a keen interest in social and community services. I joined the National Cancer Society of Malaysia, Penang Branch and have served on the main committee and in practically every sub-committee for the last 30 years. Through “Reach to Recovery” I counsel breast cancer patients upon request.
I have been a Lion for the last 11 years and currently I am serving in the capacity as the District Chairperson for Cancer Awareness. I am in the Penang Hospice Society. I am a core member of the Penang Alzheimer’s Disease Support Group. I am an active member in some 15 other societies, being president in one of them. Thus, I am living life to the fullest.
I consider myself very fortunate to have had breast cancer, and not cancer of some other organ which cannot be removed. I hold the conviction that life is a packaged deal. Sometimes we win a little, sometimes we lose a little. I feel that God having taken my breast has compensated me in many ways. God has given me good health, a smooth sailing career, a happy family with a supportive husband and two wonderful daughters whom I can be proud of. What else can I ask?
