Whist treatments and care for cancer are improving by leaps and bounds, the undertaking is still quality life with cancer; as there is still no cure yet for this dreaded disease. Yes I do believe in living life to the fullest, but how ? with daily thoughts of relapse overhanging in our heads?
My first realisation to quality life is prompted by my Oncologist in the IKN. She had said very clearly that we should not be too anxious about our PSA rising. That is the job of the Oncologist and Urologist to monitor us. We just go about and live a full life. Cancer is now viewed together with all other aspects of our health. Oncologists are more interested in our body metrics, our other ailments and health issues. Cancer treatments are now addressing in totality to sum up what and when our next treatments are going to be. Basically we should be as healthy as possible.
So what is a quality life? How to we get it? The first thing is not to focus all our attention to being cured of cancer. We should be focused totally into what we want in life. What are we passionate about? Determine that and we are begining to have quality life.
There are many hobbies that delights. It is very individual depending on what we like, have the talents for and are interested in. Things like travels, painting, music, sports, movies, readings etc etc are all very good hobbies. I like photography and I have just started into it in a more passionate way. I do not just point and shoot now.
Photography combines well with what I like to do; which are travelling, exercises and reading. I take the trouble to visit the wetlands and nature parks to do wildlife photography. I carry my huge camera for all my walks and photograph anything which catches my attention. And of course there are so much to read up in photography.
This is my new quality living.
Below are some of my favourite captures. I use FLICKR to share my photos.
Take care and have a quality life with anything you can be passionate about.
Allen Lai
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ReplyDeletehttp://www.watchwait.com/gleason-6-prostate-cancer/
DeleteHi Uncle Lai: Enjoy your blog on your journey to battle P. cancer. My dad 75 yrs old recently diagnosed with P. cancer with no symptoms PSA 15, gleason score 3+3=6 one core, with 10% tumor in one side. He is leaning towards getting "CYBERKNIFE" treatment done at KL Beacon Hospital while the rest of the family strongly suggest him to go for "ACTIVE SURVEILLANCE" approach. His oldest brother of 76 yrs old recently done Chemotheraphy on his PC as his PSA is over 100 with bone metastasis. He didn't want to follow the step of his brother, he is afraid it might get to bone metastasis if he didn't have any treatment done.
ReplyDeleteI read that G.S of 3+3 is low grade cancer cell, with slow growth or the medical world is debating it might not be classified as cancer cell, and American Cancer org is actually against people going for PSA screening.
I am curious about your comment under my story "I should have known better than not to have PSA tests earlier. I paid the price for not listening to the advice of my family members.". Were you regret for getting your PSA screening done? or were you regret for 'not getting it done sooner"?
Are you happy with radioactive with "hormon" treatment? I read the trend now is more and more ppl are opting "Active Surveillance". Do you think it is best for my dad to go for this?
Also, in case you have answer to this? Do you know why there is no "cyberknife' offer in Singapore, being Singapore is far more superior in medical treatment than in Malaysia or why recently both Mr. Lee Hsien Loong and Mr. Goh Chua Tong didn't go for radioactive treatment for P surgery?
Hope you can help shed some light.
Thanks.
Hi Ms Kuah,
ReplyDeleteSorry for the late reply. Busy enjoying my life and too engrossed in Photography. My blog is actually not meant to be "enjoyed" but serves my contribution to others who are walking along the same path as me.
There are several things that you had asked. Firstly I am NOT a doctor much less an Oncologist, but I shall try to share my thoughts with you. Firstly Cyberknife is basically external Radiation Therapy. It is just a brandname. Other brands include Tomo, 3D, Stereostatic etc etc. Singapore should have other equivalent to Cyberknife. Secondly, Do I regret not screening earlier. No regrets. It is part of my egoist life. No need to see the doctor. But thank God I caught my Cancer just in time. Thirdly is it better to do AS ? Yes it is the trend for elderly people to do AS. There is no right or wrong decision. Be very careful in AS. Monitor of the PSA levels MUST be done every three months to see growth and tracking doubling times, velocity etc etc. Yes I am very happy with my dual modality treatment. Hope to have answered your questions.
Hi Ms Kuah,
ReplyDeleteYou may write to me at laikimhinn@gmail.com for further sharing.
Allen Lai