.....Adios, May 2018!.....

 



 

 

 

All too soon, May is drawing to a close. Time really is speeding by at top speed, these days. Nothing spectacular has been achieved by yours truly. On the other hand, things remain pretty much the same.....going through my mundane and insipid life, day by day, month by month. Time is spent on looking after my health primarily, eating right and making sure that I consume all my medication on time. Oh, it does get boring at times, but what the heck? What choice have I got, honestly? Then, there are the medical appointments to fulfil on a regular basis. Aaarrrggghhh!

 

My health has been the pits since I entered the 6th series of my life. It's seeing its ninth year now. BUT, despite all my moans and groans, despite all my sadness and sighs, I do feel blessed by all  these gifts that Allah SWT has bestowed upon me. Syukur Alhamdulillah. Ameen.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.....Points To Remember.....

 

 

 

 

 

When you are sad and upset, always remember these points...

 

Pain is part of growing.

Everything in life is temporary.

Worrying and complaining change nothing.

Every little struggle is a step forward.

Other people's negativity is not your problem.

What's meant to be, will eventually be.

The best thing you can do is to keep going.

 

 



 

 

.....Significant Events in May 2018 .....

 

 

The  merry month of May 2018 has several special events within it. Labour Day was observed on Tuesday, 1.5.2018. 

 

 

GE14 took place on Wednesday, 9.5.2018. And from that date, Pakatan Harapan assumed power in beloved Malaysia.

 

 

 

Mother's Day, for this year was celebrated on Sunday, 13.5.2018.

 

 

 

 

 1st Ramadan will fall on Thursday, 17.5.2018. Fasting will be commencing then.

 

 

 

 

 

 

.....Remembering 25th April.....

 

 

The date, 25th April holds a special significance for me.

 

Firstly, on 25.4.1956, my one and only brother, Abdul Razak was born. Sad to say, he expired on 16.10.2004, due to End Stage Renal Failure, at the young age of 48. Al Fatihah for Allahyarham Razak.

 

 

Abdul Razak Bin Abdul Rahim

 



 Secondly, on 25.4 1965, I was struck by a serious malady, namely, Nephritis. At a tender age of 15 years, I was warded at the Officers' Ward, HSAJB for a whole month. I fully recovered from the disease, after being given the appropriate treatment by the team of specialists, headed by the late Dato Dr Lim Kee Jin. Syukur Alhamdulillah.

 

 

 

 

  HSAJB

 

Thirdly, I lost a very good friend namely, Noor Nikman Dadameah, who succumbed to a very fatal heart attack, on 25.4.2007. He was a radio announcer, attached to Radio Malaysia, Rangkaian Biru, way back when. Al Fatihah for Allahyarham Nik.

Noor Nikman Dadameah

.....Useful Medical Terms To Know.....

DIAGNOSIS
Identification of disease or condition by scientific evaluation of physical signs, symptoms, history, lab test results and procedures.

PROGNOSIS
A prediction of the probable outcome of the disease.

ACUTE
Description of a disease or its beginning abruptly with marked intensity or sharpness, and then subsiding after a relatively short period.

CHRONIC
Something that has persisted for a long time, often over a person's lifetime.

BENIGN
Usually refers to a tumour that is non-cancerous and therefore not an immediate threat.

MALIGNANT
Tending to become worse and to cause death, usually in reference to cancer.

TUMOUR
A new growth of tissue characterised by progressive, uncontrolled growth of cells, swelling or enlargement occurring in inflammatory condition.

METASTASIS
The process in which tumour cells spread to distant parts of the body.

ABCESS
A cavity containing pus and surrounded inflamed tissue.

HYPERTENSION
Commonly called High Blood Pressure, which is characterised by elevated blood pressure persistently exceeding 140/90mm Hg.

BIOPSY
Removal of a small piece of living tissue from an organ or other part of the body, for microscopic examination.

ULTRASOUND
A test using sound waves to take pictures of internal organs. It can be used for almost any area of the body, including chest, abdomen, pelvis, neck, eye and other extremities.

CT SCAN
Same as CAT scan. It is an X-ray test which can show the internal organs. Any part of the body can be scanned. A computer is used to translate the intricate readings into multiple cross sectional images.

X-RAY
Radiograph image often used to diagnose broken bones, joint problems, tumours and many other diseases.

MRI
Magnetic Resonance Imaging, a test that does not use X-ray. Instead, it uses intense magnetic field producing three-dimensional images as well as cross-sectional images like the CT scan. This process reacts to metals and is not recommended for patients who have metal within their body like pacemakers and some metallic prosthesis.

LOCAL ANESTHESTIC
Pain killer that works to  where it is applied only as opposed to something which is 'imported'.

.....The Dance.....

 

 

 

 



With CA came the darkness
That brought me to my knees
Then, darkness took me by the hand
It said, " Come dance with me."

As we danced,  I felt such sadness 
As we danced, I felt such fear
As we danced, I felt such weakness
As we danced, I cried such tears.

Suddenly, my eyes were blinded
By an incredibly brilliant light
While dancing in CA's silence
Darkness led me to its light.

Then light took me in its arms
It said, "Let me lead the way."
I'll show you CA's gifts
They're in each moment of everyday.

As we danced, I saw such joy
As we danced, I saw such hope
As we danced, I felt the strength
Light gave me, to carry on.

EXPRESSIONS OF A CA JOURNEY.

 

 

P.S

I 'borrowed' this poem which was framed, and hung on the wall in the Onco Department, HSIJB, way back in 2009. 



.....What's In A Name?.....

 

 

*While there are 'those people', at one end, there are also those who bring comfort in times of need. God sends messages in the strangest of ways. At a time when life seemed so bleak, who would have thought those silly bumper stickers could make an impact on yourself.

 

"When life hands you lemons, make lemonade", "Life is a bowl of cherries, if you learn to swallow the pits". Corny? Without a doubt! Cliched? Most definitely!

 

But the thing is, they worked for me.  They became something to ponder on and get a grip on life. By God, if  this is my barrel of lemons, let's make the best lemonade in town and even throw the best party anyone has ever seen!

 

It's funny how with acceptance, doors seem to open, and help and options seem to come stumbling in to make everything alright for you. It's as though with acceptance , the Universe is there to let good things come your way.

 

After that, it seems as if there's a corny line to fit every experience I'm going through.

 

My journey is never a bed of roses, but life is like that. "I will survive", with its opening line: First I was afraid, I was petrified....." YES, I WAS PETRIFIED! NOW, I WILL SURVIVE!

 

I still don't find certain terms and phrases funny, but the sting is less painful.

 

My point? Let the names and labels wash over you, accept them, and move on. As Shakespeare wrote in Romeo And Juliet: "What's in a name? That which we call Rose, by any other name, would smell just as sweet."*

 

 

(This article was written by Juneita Johari, in The New Sunday Times, on 05/12/10)