My own 'cancer story' began in 1998 while I was living in New York City. At the time, my 62-year-old mother, who lived in Malaysia, was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. After hearing her diagnosis, I decided to return home to be with her, in what I thought would be her last months.
To everyone’s relief, she gradually recovered after her surgery and chemotherapy (although she would go on to have two more surgeries to remove more tumours in 2001 and 2004). It was revealed that she had an increased risk of familial bowel cancer, as her mother had previously passed from the same cancer.
After every cancer treatment was completed, she was a model patient. She had her regular oncologist follow-ups, took the various tests required and cheerfully had a colonoscopy annually. At every opportunity, I would ask her oncologist what else we could or should be doing to lower her risk of reoccurrence. The answer was always the same - eat well, exercise and be happy. It was said without the offering of any specific care plan, which is quite typical advice from many conventional medicine practitioners, even to this day.
In February 2020, she found a lump in her right breast, which was later diagnosed as a hormone-sensitive (ER/PR-positive) breast cancer. It was unrelated to her previous colon cancer. A mastectomy was performed two weeks later and thankfully she was discharged just before Malaysia went into its nationwide COVID-19 lockdown.
She found her recovery to be more challenging this time. Not only was she in her mid-80s, but she also developed a heart condition that was exacerbated by recent surgery and treatment. And of course, navigating the challenges of pandemic restrictions. Except for her cardiologist and oncologist appointments, for 18 months she rarely left the house. She missed rehab physiotherapy, walks in her favourite park and limited social interaction.
By early 2022, almost 2 years after her breast cancer diagnosis and mastectomy, my mother is confident once again. She has resumed most of her previous daily routine, albeit at a slower pace.
My mother’s 24-year cancer journey has taught me many things, as I chart my path as an integrative oncology practitioner and advocate. No doubt she is one tough cookie (she’s outlived her first cancer surgeon) and has shown remarkable grace and resilience in her handling of a persistent adversary within her body.
She has inspired me to do better every day to help my patients, knowing what it means to them and their families to have a passionate advocate navigating the journey together. To trust science to target cancer but just as importantly, to harness the powers of natural medicine to nourish the body and mind.
Most of all, she has taught me EMPOWERMENT. She has transformed from being a patient who was once fearful of her cancer diagnosis to a woman who feels empowered with the knowledge that healing is always possible, even when sometimes curing is not.
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Cancer is stressful, not just for the person receiving the diagnosis, but for those around them too. It’s common for family and friends to feel scared, confused, and overwhelmed. Even if you’re not the one with cancer, your emotions are valid. Cancer can be difficult for everyone.
Studies find that adopting a resilient mindset can help cancer patients cope better, not just through their cancer journey, but also in recovery.
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"Good medicine should be based in good science,
be inquiry-driven, and be open to new paradigms.”
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