Sunday, October 11, 2009 • 10:12 PM
TRUE STORYFlorence Heng
I had trouble handling the truth when my oncologist told me that I had secondary lung cancer. I was depressed and it felt like there was no hope for cure. It’s the realization that I would not be able to accomplish my plans with my family and husband. Even though everybody encourages me to stay positive, it is difficult to do that all the time.
After four years of check-ups, there was no sign on improvement or worsening of the tumours. I stopped my treatment several months later and travelled to many different places. The tumours remained the same.
Learning to live with cancer meant more than just staying alive. It taught me how to enjoy life, how to throw away unpleasant things and be more content with life.
No one can predict exactly how long your life is likely to be after a diagnosis of secondary breast cancer. I will need to face the fact that I may not live as long as I wanted if the breast cancer had not spread. And whether I have months or years left to live I will almost certainly think about my death from time to time .
As a survivor, I understand that metastatic breast cancer is generally not considered curable, and I accept the "goal" of palliative treatment is to achieve a remission or slow down the growth of the tumour. This belief will bring me the courage to do all I can.
Florence lost her battle against cancer on 18 December 2005. Her story and fighting spirit shall 'live on' in her book, "My Journey with Breast Cancer - Awakening" to inspire other cancer survivors to face the cancer challenge bravely and cherish each day till the end of their life journey.
