Thursday, September 24, 2009

On the Colorectal Cancer Survivor

It was one of the weekends when I headed over to the surgical ward to talk to some patients, at least that was what I thought I was doing. Clerking them would pretty much put both parties in some tensed atmosphere, so I'd rather talk to them and get everything I needed before I jot them down.

So there was this cheery old chap, roughly half a century's old. And so we were chatting. Here's the story.

He was there that weekend for bowel readjustment. He had his rectum removed about 2 years ago due to rectum cancer. He recalled he had a few months of bloody stool but he only realized it when his friends commented that he slimmed down a lot. Upon discovering he had bloody stool, he still delayed in visiting the doctor. 4 months later, when he went to his doctor, he was told that it was already a stage 3 rectal cancer. Not a good prognosis really. But he wasn't devastated.

So he finally had his rectum removed, underwent radiotherapy and months of chemotherapy. Oddly enough, he was quite well tolerated with the chemotherapy. He didn't vomit. He didn't experienced any nauseous attack. He was well all the while. And he was pretty postive that he would be cured.

He didn't really think about why he got the cancer, after all he didn't know why he got the cancer in the first place. There was no past medical illnesses that could lead to the cancer, all those inflammatory bowel disease and what nots. He never smoked. He never drank. He eats normal healthy balanced meal. He didn't know of any close relatives who died of cancer. And he was very healthy, Celebrity Fitness member, a marathon runner. And he was 78. (WHAT?!)

But he triumphed through the predicaments. He emerged a champion. He was under monitoring for a year and CT scans done didn't show any metastases or recurrence. He's healthy once more! No wonder he was so jolly.

To think that colorectal cancer is one of the most common form of cancer with about 655,000 deaths worldwide annually, this man survived a stage 3 rectal cancer with the strong will and postive outlook in life. Medical miracle? Perhaps.

But I'd like to see it this way, anything could be overcome if there's a positive mindset. Confidence is the key. Determination is the solution.

If only I'm as strong...

20 Jujus:

[SK] said...

wow, a 78 year-old strong man huh!! true, stay positive and things could turn a lot better.. :)

manglish said...

ya...it is the mind fighting the body battle...isnt it amazing how powerful our mind is? :) only if we learn how to ride it

Twilight Man said...

OMG the photos made all my pubic hair stand... Life is full of sickness and cancer often scares me the most.

Twilight Man said...

Happy Birthday to Grandpa Anton!

Pranny said...

Karma!~~~ I guess

L M said...

Like my dream..

叶子 said...

Learn that kind of spirit from the patient. You can become as positive and as strong as this patient.

Gratitude said...

Granny ~ I'm not that old to be elevated to your "grand" status yet. I'm afraid you're still the sole tongkat-waving ranter! lolz :P

Medie ~ your blog pics alwiz make me cringe. CIS! :P

TZ said...

hahaha... Grandpa Anton ... ROTFL hahahaha I was called by Granny as TZ Boy... i'm young. I'm young... blek~

BTW, Medie007 dude... it's so disgusting the piccie... make me wanna to puke. *Puking sound*

Medie007 said...

[SK], yeaps... our mind is a lot of things. :)

manglish, it is it is. :D maybe a determined mind can cure cancer too. :P

Twilight zone, whoa... ur pubic hair aso will stand ah? haha.

Happy Birthday Grandpa. LMAO

Medie007 said...

Jerry, maybe. maybe not.

JN, i hope so too. as of this moment, i'm trying to stay happy, but hopefully by staying happy and carefree won't retain me...

Gratitude, my potos do? these are all taken from the net ler... maybe next time when i work i shall take more myself. ;)

TZ, u also one. blek. it's THAT gross mei? :P

KY said...

Only if I could survive till 78. Well, trying to keep myself healthy as well.
NO MORE BEER!!!! Haha..

Medie007 said...

KY, no no... we're still young... BEER!!!! i wan Hoegaarden!!! :P

Jean said...

i can see countless veins and arteries plus blood capillaries..kinda geli to me..

From me to you, suejean =)

Medie007 said...

SJ, u prolly see veins and capilaries... gotta love it! :P

and what's this science blogger association thingy???

savante said...

Glad he won the battle. Definitely an inspiration for the rest.

Medie007 said...

a living example! :)

Janvier said...

He managed chemo without throwing up or feeling down! He's definitely a positively cheerful person! All the best to him!

foongpc said...

Yikes! I can't stand the pictures!

He survived because he believed he would. So, the Universe literally arranged itself to make it a reality for him.

The positive energy he sent out attracted the positive outcome. It proved that you get what you think : )

A Common Singaporean said...

I would have to skip lunch...

after the pics...

That old man is really a commendable chap! I suppose mind over body in this case?