Post surgery: Updates.

I have so much so share with you after a whole week here! Drafts are being developed in my head - don't worry there's tons of information to dwell upon as a surgery survivor. Everything went relatively smooth. No post-surgery trauma. I'm strong as a bull and I cannot wait to set my sights on being back in Penang again.

I just wanted to remind all my former colleagues/schoolmates who have showered me with their love and visits that those little moments really means A LOT to me. The idea of reuniting old ties is always a welcome order when you're down and out. I am blessed to have very funny and loving Christian and non-Christian friends around me. God it makes me wish I could relive 1992-1996 all over again!

I only have one eye to use now but that doesn't cripple my excitement about life. God has given me a second chance (come to think of it; make this the third) so I am joyous about it! I'm extra thrilled because of the support and love I have around me *points the finger at you*. You blog readers/supporters/visitors/friends/families/ex-colleagues/ex-schoolmates make life worth fighting for! I have a few ideas on how I can contribute back so stay tuned and I'll share what I've got in mind with you once I've recuperated well.

That is all the updates I have for today. I'm optimistic about the challenges that I am to face in the coming months. God willing, I will make it.

Surgery: Updates.

The date of the surgery has been postponed tentatively to tomorrow 9AM but it was supposed to happen today due to the shortage of an ICU room to accommodate my brother's case.

Heartfelt thanks.

The long wait is drawing to an end. I'm to gear up for my surgery which will be held on the 24 September 2008 (at Hospital UKM, Cheras). The surgery will start at 0900 hours.

Throughout this journey, again, similar to what I've experienced in 2006, God's grace has given me a legion of caring friends and acquaintances who've reached out in some way or another to lend a hand in my fight against brain cancer. I am thoroughly humbled by this show of compassion as I am amazed at their tenacity in offering financial support. Nothing is ever certain in life and whatever happens to me days from now, I would like to extend my gratitude to these fine people and establishments for their TLC. A long list so it seems...

01. The Chondrosarcoma Support Group:
For I think I would have walked alone in the dark if it weren't for the efforts of the people behind this forum board.

02. KDU College Penang:
Miss Joey Phuah, Jet Lee K.H., Lee Yi Pei, Mr. T.S. Lee, Siok Hoy, An Nee, Dr. Maggie, Ida Choo, members of the Health Club and all the indie kids. Thank you for the having me on board!

03. The ladies from EXCEL GSA (M) SDN BHD:
Kathy, Sheryl, Ann...I know I have respectable friends when have you gals around!

04. Jack Ong Seng Leong & Lui Poh Lin of Morrison Express.

05. Korean Air PEN for their sense of optimism and gold-plated soul.

06. CEVA Logistics staff and management, never shying away from reaching out to those in need:
Mr. Foong Kah Poh, Mr. Goh Chu Woon, Hock Sun, Amy, Kah Ieong, Nazri Salleh, Ayu, Lisa, Ati, Annuar, Yus, Haslinda, Nor, Hui Bao, Daren, Mandy, Bee Theng, Jaclyn, Miss Chong Lee Khim, Mr. Khor Hin Leong, Anne Lim, Li Ling, Sharaswathy, Sam Loo, Linda, Mansor, Shaiful, Remy, Ravindran Paul, Aidah, Rahim, Amir, Faizal, Asri, Mesh, Sandra, Badrul, Fiza, Hasdi, Fariff, Hasrul, Shirley Lim, Jennifer Tan, Soon Men Cheng, Siti, Daniel Cheah, Millicent Yeoh, Yvonne Lim, James Ooi, Hock Luan, Tan Wui Na, Linda, Malar, Salisa, Izamri, Ai Peng, Miss Looi, Rajesh, How, Shida, Tan Siew Poh, ST Ong, Neoh Hooi Nee, Noor, Azira, Chew Chee Yeow, Teh Sue Young, Mohd Jasni, Noel Gim, Chow Teik Ming and Miss Goh.

07. The team at Expeditors International Penang, my extended family whom I've learned so much with.

08. My old friends and colleagues from DHL Logistics and Airfreight:
Miss Tan, Chee Tai, Mei, Mr. Lim Kok Ean, Miss Kut Swee Bee, Mr. H'ng Chuan Keat, Mr. Low Teik Chooi, Mr. Tan Leong Wah, Joane Yeap, Daphne Chuah, Julia Boey, Jessie Lim, Kar Hui, Rebecca, Sharon, Christy Eoh, Ellie Loh, Ann Teoh, Mohd. Zaki, Flora and Rachel.

09. The fine folks at UPS, some whom I've worked with during my learning years in Exel:
Miss Vivian Chuah, Mr. Timmy Kum, Mr. Tay Ling Teik, Miss Mimi How, Mr. Khoo Hee Theng, Miss Ooi Bee Cheng, Shih Ling and Miss Jasmine Teoh.

10. Gavin & Selina Leng. Please forgive me for missing the wedding dinner!

11. Chris and Melodie Saw, Jonathan Ang and Jaime C., my good friends in Singapore.

12. Aunt May and Uncle Tony, my 'advisory board' in everything new age.

13. Dr. Chong, Miss Peggy Lim and Mr Ding DS. Thanks for believing in me as well as instilling belief in my own skills.

14. Miss Kriss Wong for being such a great muse during my time of suffering.

15. Old Frees from the class of 1996.

My sincerest gratitude is extended to:
Tess Owi, Samantha Chan, Miss Ong (from FEDEX), Miss Jane Lee, Boon Hock, Shanthy Pakirisamy, Miss Hew, Lee Lim Sean, Jacqueline Christine, Alice Lee, Chuah Huey Ming, Lim Tze Peng, Cheng Swee Imm, Yaw, Kim Yong, Seok Leng, Jessica Ewe, TK Cheah, Tang Cheung Kim, Lim Bee Ling, Jeannie Ooi, Miss Loke Seok Hoon, Miss Jacinta Wong, Steven Fong, Jamie Hoo, Miss Lim Mee Yeong, Samantha Ooi, Jasmine Chang and Lim Cheng Seong.

To those that I have unintentionally or for brevity's sake, left out, please accept my sincerest apologies. You dwell in my heart as I walk in faith for this surgery to be a success!

In the max of pain.

I look like one of those football manager characters in EA SPORTS' 'FIFA07', no?


Meet Darth Vader. *heavy breathing*

My mind drifts away from reality at times. It's hard to keep a firm grip on what's going on around you when you're suffering from bone cancer in your brain. It gets even harder as each day passes when my body's immune system falters against an almost unstoppable disease that promises to devour my brain before it lets up. And yes, it's more difficult to endure than it looks. It has now gone to affect the posterity my sclera.


The white of my eyes has already been pushed out of contortion.

The sleeping pills don't work either and they keep me in limbo for many hours even when I'm on half the pill. I eat late and sometimes only once a day. I sleep at irregular odd hours. I barely move from my bed. I fidget around my bed in a clockwork motion, bearing the pain and discomfort.

While I'm still waiting in vain for a surgery date, I press for inner strength. I call upon it in such agony so as to allow for my body, mind and soul to enjoy tranquility, albeit for a few hours. That's how hard it has been for the past week or so. I keep this bible verse in check every time I feel that the going's tough.

"Body, I speak the Word of Faith to you. I demand that every internal organ perform a perfect work, for you are the temple of the Holy Ghost; therefore, I charge you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the authority of His holy Word to be healed and made whole in Jesus." (Prov. 12:18)

A. Slight. Detour.

After weeks of frustration waiting for my surgery date, it comes to my knowledge that neither party (my brain and craniofacial surgeon) are willing to take up the risk nor the time to expedite for a good date for my operation.

Well, having said that, I guess it's high-time to look elsewhere for a better pair of hands. I'll be ringing up Penang Adventist Hospital to see if they're kind enough to take up my case.

I seriously don't feel that I hang on much longer with the way things are. Only God is keeping me sane sometimes. The way things are going at the moment, it really does seem that cost-savings are out of the window and it leaves me a daunting task of calculating how to prepare for post-surgery treatments.

A big thank you to medical aid contributors who have visited me in the past few days. What I have witnessed in the past few weeks have been the triumph of the human spirit. God knows the funds will prove quintessential for my private surgery and whatever happens thereafter.

So bad, I need a valium to sleep it off.

My eye hurts so bad these days its hard to get some decent sleep.
I wonder if the doctor could prescribe valium for me.

UPDATE (5 SEP @ 1857 hrs):
Like the late Heath Ledger, I have a handful of Stilnox and chlorpheniramine maleate (4mg) to counteract with my sleeping problems and pain respectively. I'll definitely use these with caution.