Yaska Issue

E SU IS `S EN M W O

Conquer the fear of

Sep–Oct 2016

BREAST CANCER. THE WILL TO FIGHT.

Easy breast self-examination,

to save lives

A child’s internal struggRlSeO, F

The stories that will melt your heart

OPE IS WHEN HY CURE. ONL

PLUS+ EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: DEDICATED TO

YASKA

“THE CHILDREN’S CANCER ORGANISATION OF BRUNEI.”

USD $3.99 GBP £3.49 BND $5.00 BRUNEI

THE PAINFUL TREATMENT

EA T. THE TA A P REN THE

EDITION

THE YELLOW AND PINK RIBBON ISSUE

Sep–Oct 2016

+Content

6 BREAST CANCER +Health 6 Breast Cancer is an Enemy You Can Conquer Educating yourself about breast cancer will give you the power to deal with it

26

10 Could A Self Breast Examination Save Your Life?

13 Take the Fear Out of Breast Cancer With Knowledge Understanding and education of breast cancer beats the fear 17 Common Children’s Cancers are Still Devastating A review of cancers that are commonly found in children

+Event 20 Happy 9th Birthday Fitness Zone!

2 PLUS Sep–Oct 2016

30

34

Content+ 22 Irregular Periods: When a Checkup is Needed

+Life inspired 24 The Children of Yaska 26 How Adam Wajdi and His Family Fought Against Leukemia Back In 2008 30 Nor Emie´s Story: A Strong Spirit, A Loving Family, And Faith Allowed This Little Princess To Overcome Cancer Without Losing Her Smile 34 Aliya Maisarah, A Beloved Child Diagnosed With Retinoblastoma And The Family’s Struggle To Help Her Make It Through

38

38 From a Simple Medical Consultation to A Brain Tumor Diagnosis, This Is Siti Nur Haziqah´s Story

42

42 The Encouraging Story of Siu Tzyy Wei The Young Adolescent That Became An Inspiration For Cancer Patients And Their Families

+Focus 46 A Parent’s Coping Strategy for Dealing with a Child’s Cancer As a parent coping with a child that has cancer can create many challenges that need to be dealt with

PLUS 3

Sep–Oct 2016

+Publisher Info

S

Dear readers,

eptember is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, which is why this issue is jam-packed with informative articles about childhood cancer as well as breast cancer and also filled to the brim with inspiring stories of the young heroes and heroines who have fought the devastating diagnosis of childhood cancer and have come out smiling on the other side with the support of their amazing families.

This month, discover what the most common types of childhood cancers are and learn how to deal with the scenario of your child or a child of someone close to you being diagnosed with cancer. Also, learn about breast cancer and how to overcome the fears associated with the diagnosis. Learning about your body and knowing what is normal for you could help in the early detection of any illness or abnormality — find out how to perform a Breast Self-Exam (BSE) and the common causes of irregular periods and when you should see a doctor about them.

+Publisher Nexploit Services +Editor-At-Large Plus Team +Talent Editor Elizabeth Sim Iman Murni +Proof Reader Monica Lim +Marketing and Digital Content Nursadiqin Misir

We had the honour of chatting with the families of Adam Wajdi, Nor Emie, Aliya Maisarah, Siti Nur Haziqah and Siu Tzyy Wei herself about their battle with childhood cancer as a whole and discover their reactions to the shocking diagnosis, their experiences, how they coped and their advice to anyone else going through anything similar.

The Plus Team would like to dedicate this issue to Yayasan Kanser Kanak-Kanak (YASKA), who have been doing a stellar job in improving the lives of children suffering from cancer and providing an excellent support network for parents and families of these children.

Don’t forget you can follow us for the latest updates @PlusBrunei on Facebook and Instagram, where we post behind the scenes pics and sneak peeks of upcoming features.

Many thanks and happy reading, The Plus Team

+Graphic Designer Anna Thien Oleh Melnyk John M. Rey

Ministry of Health (Brunei Darussalam) Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (Brunei Darussalam) Health Promotion Centre (Brunei Darussalam) Fitness Zone Royal Brunei Airlines Progresif Cellular Sdn Bhd

+Publisher information Nexploit Services Lot 4169, Kg Serambangun, Tutong TA 2541 Brunei Darussalam

+Have a story to share?

Email it to  plusbrunei@gmail.com

+For business inquiries and distribution Email it to  plusbrunei@gmail.com

+Get interactive with Plus Magazine

+Photographer Ching Jekizani +Featuring Adam Wajdi Aliya Maisarah Nor Emie Siu Tzyy Wei Siti Nur Haziqah

All rights reserved.

Neither this publication nor any part of it may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form of by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the permission of Nexploit Services. Where option is expressed it is that of the author and does not necessarily reflect the editorial views of the publisher or Plus.

All information in Plus is checked and verified to the best of the publisher’s ability, however the publisher cannot be held responsible for any mistake or omission enclosed in the publication.

4 PLUS Sep–Oct 2016

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+Health

BREAST CANCER IS AN ENEMY YOU CAN CONQUER EDUCATING YOURSELF ABOUT BREAST CANCER WILL GIVE YOU THE POWER TO DEAL WITH IT

6 PLUS Sep–Oct 2016

Health+

T

here is no doubt that great strides have been made in the battles for finding cures for cancers. However, when someone is diagnosed with breast cancer the instant panic and fear that this diagnosis creates removes all thoughts about the advancement in cures that have been found so far. The individual now stricken with this disease is living in the moment, which is one of fear and disbelief. Having an understanding about breast cancer can help to bring many of these emotions under control. The knowledge can also help one identify the symptoms early on in the disease, and it creates awareness, which is a powerful tool, not only against cancer but any disease.

What some do not realize is that while cancer is predominantly a woman’s disease it can also occur in men as well.

WHAT IS BREAST CANCER? Most know that cancer in general is when some specific cells in the body begin to grow abnormally.

This is exactly what breast cancer is. It’s the growth of cells that are out of control in the breast. The changes that are seen in the cells are called mutations. The genes in our body are what dictate how our cells grow and form and remain healthy. These genes are present in each individual cell throughout our body. When mutations begin to form in the cell, they create an abnormality where the cells now begin to multiply at an abnormal rate, and as they do they can group together and form a lump which is called a tumor.

Although this abnormality of growth of cells is occurring and forming a tumor, it does not always mean that the tumor is malignant (cancerous). It  can be non-cancerous (benign).

PLUS 7

Sep–Oct 2016

+Health

When a lump in the breast is detected through various means, often a small section of the tumor is removed for biopsy. Part of the investigation of this tissue determines if the cells are relatively normal looking and don’t appear to be multiplying quickly. If this is the case, then the tumor is most likely benign.

has been shown in general that only about 5 to 10% of cancers are caused this way. The other 85 to 90% of breast cancers are a result of the aging of the body and the toll that life has taken on the body.

CANCER IN THE BREAST CELLS

Any cancer including breast cancer has a better chance of being eradicated when it is caught and treated in its early stages. This is the stage where it has not yet begun to spread to adjacent breast tissue. It can also spread to the lymph nodes in the armpits. If it gets this far, then the cancerous cells now have a pathway to travel along to invade other parts of the body.

Breast cancer is really a broad term for cancer occurring in some section of the breast. The cancer may be found in the milk producing glands of the breast. It may appear in the breast ducts. In some cases it may be found in the stromal breast tissue, which includes the connective breast tissue that is fatty and fibrous.

THE GENETICS OF BREAST CANCER Research has discovered that breast cancer is caused by genetic abnormalities. Most people assume that this is an abnormality that was passed down to them through one of their parents. However, it

8 PLUS Sep–Oct 2016

THE SPREADING OF BREAST CANCER

THE STAGING OF BREAST CANCER When a diagnosis of breast cancer has been made before a course of treatment can be implemented, the stage at which the cancer is at has to be determined. The staging refers to how far the cancerous cells have spread outside of the original tumor.

TREATING THE BREAST CANCER Once all the medical data regarding the breast cancer has been compiled and analyzed, the oncologists (doctors who specialize in cancer) will create a course of treatment based on their findings. This could be surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy and/or biological treatments. Any one of these or quite often a combination of these forms of treatments will be used throughout various phases of the treatment program.

There are clear indicators to help determine the best treatments.

These include the type of breast cancer, the size of the tumor, the stage that it is at, the cancer cell grade and whether the individual is pre- or post-menopausal. Along with this, there is other pertinent information regarding the general health of the individual that will be taken into account.

Understanding breast cancer as to how it can occur, how it is diagnosed, and how it is treated can make dealing with this disease much less frightening.

+Health

COULD A SELF BREAST EXAMINATION SAVE YOUR LIFE? I

n order to remain in good health and identify potential problems that may be occurring, it is important that we know what is normal and what is not for our bodies. You can only know this by watching and knowing what signals your body may be giving you.

When it comes to breast cancer, there may be signs of its existence with some physical symptoms.

Aside from what you may be feeling on the inside, when it comes to your health, there may be some external signs. In regards to breast cancer there may be some physical signs that you can detect through self-examination.

What you are going to look for in this breast self-examination are signs of anything unusual. You are going to look for any changes that may be occurring, for example, any lumps or any thickening in the tissues. You are going to examine the nipples of the breast to make sure they are not excreting any fluids.

1

STAND IN FRONT OF THE MIRROR

Remove all of your clothing from the waist up and stand in front of a mirror in a well-lit area.

2

START YOUR EXAM

Stand correctly so you can get a good view of your breasts. Let your arms rest comfortably at your sides. Don’t be alarmed if one

10 PLUS Sep–Oct 2016

seems bigger or shaped differently than the other as this is normal.

3

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

You will want to focus on each breast and look for what you feel may be abnormal in size or shape.

Look for any changes in the color of the skin. If the skin seems to be puckering or dimpling, make note of this. It is also important to look for any small sores, or if the skin anywhere on the breasts seems to be an abnormal color.

Look at the nipples and inspect them for any signs of peeling or small sores or anything that looks like redness or inflammation. Also, look at the direction of the nipples and see if it appears normal to what you are used to seeing.

4

CHECKING THE OUTER BREAST PERIMETER

In the stance you are in at the moment you are only getting a good view of the front of the breasts. To view the sides properly you need to change your positon.

Putting your hands on your hips you want to press down firmly so this tightens the muscles in your chest that lie beneath the breasts.

Now slowly turning from side to side you should be able to get a good view of the sides of your breasts and you want to look for

the same signs that you did when looking at them directly.

5

CHECKING SHAPE AND CONTOUR

To really confirm that your breasts are normal in shape and contour you need to lean towards the mirror and bring your shoulders and elbows towards the mirror so the chest muscles tighten up. As you do this your breasts will fall forward and this allows you to do a closer inspection.

6

FROM SEEING TO FEELING

The next stance you want to take consists of clasping your hands together and positioning them at the back of your head. As you press your hands forward, you want to turn towards each side so you can again get a better view of the outer perimeter of your breasts. To inspect the lower section of your breast lift each one with your hand.

Gently pull your nipple outward to look for any type of discharge, and repeat for the other side.

You can do a dry manual examination of your breasts to feel for any lumps or swelling but if your hands are wet and you apply soap to them so they are slippery, you will be able to do a better examination. You can actually do this when you are in the shower.

Health+

Knowing your own body will help you to detect any abnormalities with a personal breast cancer check

Place one hand on your hip, then with the other hand, using the flat section of your fingers press gently against your breast.

Now follow an up and down pattern so that you keep repeating this until you have covered your entire breast. You want to move from the bottom of the bra line up towards the collar bone. Do the same thing for the other side. What you are feeling for here is any thickening in the

tissue or small lumps. Make sure that you examine your armpits in the same manner.

You can perform an examination in a laying position. Lay on a flat surface and put a small pillow under your shoulder.

Then take one hand and put in under your head. Using the flat of your fingers from the other hand, start feeling your opposite breast in small areas at a time using a circular motion. You

want to be sure that you examine the entire breast this way, and then do the same for the other side with the other hand.

Check to see that your nipples move easily with no pain or discomfort. Be sure to check your underarms in the same manner.

If you feel that during this examination you have discovered anything that concerns you then be sure to check with your family doctor.

 PLUS 11

Sep–Oct 2016

Health+

TAKE THE FEAR OUT

OF BREAST CANCER WITH KNOWLEDGE

UNDERSTANDING AND EDUCATION OF BREAST CANCER BEATS THE FEAR

PLUS 13

Sep–Oct 2016

+Health

T

here are so many different forms of cancer that any person may be concerned about, but one of the most common and potentially most dangerous is breast cancer. Ending up with breast cancer means the individual now has a real fight on their hands. History relates that the best way to beat an enemy which cancer truly is, is to know all you can about your opponent. Understanding breast cancer and becoming knowledgeable about it is one of the most significant ways of beating this form of cancer. The knowledge helps to reduce the fear, concerns and stress, which can help with the battle and recovery that this disease is going to create.

THE WORST KIND OF FEAR There are many different levels of fear, and the worst is the fear of the unknown. Breast cancer creates this type of fear and it is usually because the woman (or man) that has been stricken with it only has limited knowledge and this can actually increase the fear.

When it comes to breast cancer, there is the fear that is created by an actual diagnosis, and then there are those who have an ongoing fear of developing this disease based on family health history.

14 PLUS Sep–Oct 2016

DEALING WITH THE INITIAL SHOCK In many cases, the diagnosis of breast cancer follows a routine breast examination. In other cases, symptoms have appeared that leads to one having a physical checkup.

In both of these instances a certain level of fear can already be forming without the person realizing it, more so when there are possible symptoms of breast cancer being present.

Breast cancer creates different stages of fear and these are….

THE WAITING FEAR: This occurs during the time of waiting for a positive diagnosis as a result of the tests that have been performed. These tests can possibly consist of physical examinations, mammograms, MRIs, ultrasounds and biopsies as well as others.

They all take time to do and analyze. It’s during this time that the mind runs wild and the fear of the unknown begins to settle in. This is the time that the individual should start doing their research as to what breast cancer is all about.

THE DIAGNOSIS FEAR: The day arrives when the actual diagnosis is made. The fear that occurs during this time revolves around

just how bad the cancer is in regards to having possibly spread. The fear now focuses on the prognosis, which means the chance of surviving. By having gained some knowledge about breast cancer during the waiting period, it allows the individual to have some understanding as to what the healthcare provider is saying, and allows for the asking of some pertinent questions.

THE OUTCOME FEAR: The next few days following the actual diagnosis is when the most fear revolves around not being able to beat the disease. Mixed with this are all the emotions about what will happen to loved ones during this time. This is the time when talking about these fears with loved ones and other resources can be beneficial. It is the time when a much needed support team needs to be built.

THE TREATMENT FEAR: The treatment fear is one of mixed emotions. There are the positive emotions that there are at least treatments available to battle the breast cancer. Then there are the negative emotions as to what type of side effects these treatments might have. In some cases it can mean loss of hair, extreme fatigue

Health+

and risk of infections. By gaining knowledge about what the treatments are and the potential side effects, one will also learn that great strides have been made in lessening these effects. Being prepared for them is half the battle.

THE AFTERMATH FEAR: This is the subtle fear that remains in the back of the mind once a breast cancer survivor is in recovery after the treatments. There is always the worry that the cancer may return or show up somewhere else. Again, having good knowledge about the specific type of breast cancer that was dealt with will help the individual get through this period.

It is very important that when an individual is educating themselves about breast cancer that they rely on the right resources. All too often when an individual with breast cancer reveals their diagnosis to another person, be it friends or family, they will detect a look of horror on their faces.

Keep in mind that this is a result of yet again, a lack of knowledge or misinformation. Many people have had relatives who have died of breast cancer, but they forget to realize that there are constantly new medical discoveries being made that are very effective at getting this disease under control.

PLUS 15

Sep–Oct 2016

Health+

COMMON CHILDREN’S CANCERS

ARE STILL DEVASTATING A REVIEW OF CANCERS THAT ARE COMMONLY FOUND IN CHILDREN

T

here is no one that is exempt from the possibility of ending up with some form of cancer and this includes children. While there are many different types of this disease, there are some that are more common than others. Various forms of cancer can appear in children of any age or gender.

HODGKIN LYMPHOMA:

LYMPHOMA

NON-HODGKIN LYMPHOMA:

three but is often diagnosed at an earlier age compared to Hodgkin disease. There are various types of this cancer version, which appear to be different in children when compared to adults. Another distinctive feature about non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in children is that it tends to grow fast, creating a demand for aggressive treatment but the children seem to have a better response to the treatment compared to the adults with the same disease.

This form of cancer is also diagnosed both in adults and children and consists of 5% of childhood cancers. It is rare for children under the age of

Both of these types of lymphoma can cause fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, sweats, loss of weight and fever. The cancer cells begin in the

Within this cancer category are two that are relatively common in children.

These are Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This cancer can be prevalent in adults as well.

In children, it is rarely seen before the age of five. It makes up about 3% of the cancers found in children. It reacts basically the same way in both children and adults, which means that the types of treatments can be similar.

PLUS 17

Sep–Oct 2016

+Health

lymphocytes and can be found growing in the lymph nodes and lymph tissues such as the thymus or tonsils. It can also affect the bone marrow or strike other organs.

The symptoms often help to dictate where the cancer is originating from.

RETINOBLASTOMA 2% of cancers diagnosed in children are Retinoblastomas, which is a cancer that attacks the eye. It is often found in the age 2 groups and is very seldom seen in children past the age of 6. Often an unusual appearance of the eye will draw attention to it. The pupil of the eye can look white or pink.

LEUKEMIA This form of cancer is one that many people are at least somewhat familiar with. This is because it is so common and is the most common in children as it makes up about 30% of the children’s cancer diagnosis. There are many different forms that are found in children, with some being classed as acute which are acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). The symptoms can vary depending on the particular type of cancer but can include loss of weight, pale looking skin, various joint pains, feeling weak, fever, or bleeding or bruising easily as well as other symptoms. Leukemia can be aggressive and grow fast so treatment has to be started as quickly as possible. Leukemia affects the blood and bone marrow.

NEUROBLASTOMA About 6% of the childhood cancers are Neuroblastomas.

It is found in infants and younger children and is rarely diagnosed in kids older than 10. Most often that not, the tumour is found in the abdomen as a result of noticeable swelling but can also create pain in the bones as well as fever. This type of cancer starts in the nerve cells of the embryo or fetus during development.

18 PLUS Sep–Oct 2016

TUMOURS OF THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM AND THE BRAIN This form of cancer is also one that is more common in children and makes up about 26% of childhood cancers.

There are many different versions of this type of cancer. It is common for the majority of the brain tumours to begin in the lower section of the brain. The symptoms created by this can affect their eyes, creating double vision, balance, being dizzy, vomiting, clumsiness and other symptoms. The treatment will depend on the specific type of cancer and its location.

WILMS TUMOR This is a cancer that attacks the kidney, although on rare occasions it can attack both kidneys. This cancer is called nephroblastoma and is usually diagnosed in children between the ages of 3 to 4, and is not usually found in children past the age of 6. This cancer makes up about 5% of the cancers found in children. The symptoms can vary with poor appetite, fever, nausea and/or pain and sometimes a swelling or lump is found in the abdomen.

RHABDOMYOSARCOMA This makes up about 3% of the cancers found in children.

It can start in any area of the body and is found in the skeletal muscle cells. This is a soft tissue sarcoma that can cause pain and/or swelling.

BONE CANCER There are two common types that appear in children, which are Osteosarcoma and Ewing Sarcoma. It can be found at any age but it is more common in teens. A common symptom is bone pain that is worse during the night or when the youngster is active. It makes up about 3% of childhood cancers.

+Event

HAPPY 9TH BIRTHDAY

FITNESS ZONE!

B

runei’s favourite health club — FITNESS Zone — threw a grand celebration to commemorate the ninth anniversary of its Kiulap branch on 28 August 2016. The event was a fun-filled one, packed with activities lined up for the members of the public throughout the day.

As part of the celebration, fitness awareness programs, Les Mills workouts and HIIT Challenge were seen keeping the crowd entertained. Aside from the booths, music and activities, the health club awarded two of their most loyal members for their continued support through the years. Awardees Dato Talib Berudin Datin and Norzainah Hj. Mohd.

Salleh (husband and wife) received loyalty awards presented by Wu Chun himself. They have been spending at least 1.5 hour at the gym 6 days a week since they joined in 2004.

20 PLUS Sep–Oct 2016

Event+ Dato Talib, the recipient of the award, said: “We believe that exercise is the best medicine to keep you physically fit and healthy. The health club provides everyone with facilities you can choose that is suitable to cater your needs and abilities.”

His comment was further emphasized by Wu Chun at the event: “Since FZ has started 13 years ago; it is Fitness Zone’s number one goal to change Bruneians lives through Fitness,

and when we put up Kiulap branch in 2007, it is because I wanted to put up a bigger place to welcome more people in our Fitness Family.”

Winners of lucky draws and challenge that were held on the day of the celebration were also presented with prizes from generous sponsors.

Plus Brunei congratulates FITNESS Zone for its nine healthy years of operation! Here’s to many more years of success.

ARTICLE BY: Iman Murni PHOTOS: Courtesy of Fitness Zone

PLUS 21

Sep–Oct 2016

IRREGULAR PERIODS: WHEN A CHECK-UP IS NEEDED A

lthough irregular menstrual periods are a common occurrence among women, some factors are worth a doctor’s attention, especially when accompanied by other symptoms such as pain in the pelvic region.

Does the duration between your periods vary? What about the extent of the period itself — has it changed dramatically? Is the volume of blood discharged different from usual? If you answered in the affirmative to any of these questions, you could be experiencing irregular menstrual periods.

CAUSES It is quite normal for girls who have just reached puberty and older ladies who are nearing menopause to experience irregular periods.

These two groups are susceptible because the hormone levels in their bodies are changing, particularly oestrogen and progesterone.

Other reasons for a woman to experience irregular periods include: »» Hormonal levels affected by changes in the hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, ovary or adrenal glands »» Genetic disorders, such as gonadal dysgenesis, Turner syndrome, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, androgen insensitivity and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) »» Abnormalities in the reproductive system, such as pregnancy, endometriosis, cancer, uterine fibroids and thickening of polyps on the uterine lining

»» Drastic lifestyle changes, such as excessive exercising, huge weight gain or loss, eating disorders and stress

»» Experience more pain than usual during a period

SEE A DOCTOR

Let’s focus on three particular causes of irregular periods.

Don’t panic if you suspect you have irregular periods, because it couldbe due to your lifestyle choices. Perhaps you intend to take part in a marathon and have been training intensely — that can trigger irregular periods. On a yo-yo diet? Fluctuations in weight are also a potential cause. So going back to a healthy, balanced lifestyle could sort this problem out by itself.

However, you should have a doctor look into your condition if you have any of the following symptoms: »» Three or more periods missed in the past year »» Period arrives more often than every 21 days

THREE CONDITIONS

OVARIAN 1POLYCYSTIC SYNDROME (PCOS) In this disorder, a female secretes an abundance of the male hormone androgen. According to HealthXchange, a web initiative

by SingHealth, four to seven percent of women of reproductive age suffer from it.

Symptoms Besides irregular periods, a woman with PCOS will develop male characteristics: »» Deepening of the voice

»» Period arrives less often than every 35 days

»» Increased body hair

»» Change in contraception method

»» Bleeding more heavily than usual during a cycle

She could also develop

»» The effect of certain contraceptives and drugs

»» Bleeding for more than seven days a cycle

The Great Eastern Life Assurance Company Limited Unit 17 & 18, Block B, Bangunan Habza, Spg 150, Kg Kiarong, Bandar Seri Begawan, BE1318, Negara Brunei Darussalam.

»» Male pattern hair loss »» Infertility »» High blood pressure

»» Elevated cholesterol levels

2

ENDOMETRIOSIS

This condition is said to occur when the lining of the womb appears in other parts of the body, usually »» Inside the pelvic area and attached to the ovaries »» The ligaments behind the womb »» The tissue layer lining the pelvis »» The bladder and ureters or the bowel.

Like cancer, there are four stages in endometriosis, with Stage One referring to a minimal amount,

and Stage Four indicating a severe amount.

Symptoms Irregular periods aside, a woman with endometriosis usually suffers from pelvic pain. Sometimes, the pain can be chronic. Watch out for pain during or after sex, and when moving bowels. She may also have some fertility problems. However, the only way to confirm this condition is via diagnostic keyhole surgery, although an ultrasound can sometimes detect endometriotic cysts in ovaries, while an experienced doctor may also detect it in other areas. One important piece of advice women should heed is to take

ABOUT GREAT EASTERN Great Eastern is the oldest and most established life insurance group in Singapore and Malaysia.

With S$68.1 billion in assets and over 4 million policyholders, it has three successful distribution channels — a tied agency force, bancassurance, and a financial advisory firm, Great Eastern Financial Advisers. The Group also operates in Indonesia, Vietnam and Brunei and has a presence in China as well as a representative office in Myanmar.

It was named Life Insurance Company of the Year at the Asia Insurance Industry Awards in 2011 and 2013 by Asia Insurance Review. The Great Eastern Life Assurance Company Limited has been assigned the financial strength and counterparty credit ratings of “AA-” by Standard and Poor’s since 2010, one of the highest among Asian life insurance companies. Great Eastern’s asset management subsidiary, Lion Global Investors Limited, is one of the largest private sector asset management companies in Southeast Asia.

Great Eastern Life has been in Brunei since 1975 and we are the only foreign life company that

has acquired our very own office building, a statement of our commitment in Brunei.

Great Eastern is a subsidiary of OCBC Bank, the longest established Singapore bank, formed in 1932 from the merger of three local banks, the oldest of which was founded in 1912. It is now the second largest financial services group in Southeast Asia by assets and one of the world’s most highly-rated banks, with an Aa1 rating from Moody’s. Recognised for its financial strength and stability, OCBC Bank has been ranked Asean’s strongest bank and among the world’s five strongest banks by Bloomberg Markets for five consecutive years since the ranking’s inception in 2011.

OCBC Bank’s key markets are Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Greater China. It has over 620 branches and representative offices in 18 countries and regions. These include the more than 330 branches and offices in Indonesia under subsidiary Bank OCBC NISP, and more than 90 branches and offices in Hong Kong, China and Macau under OCBC Wing Hang.

note when there is pain in the pelvic region. This is because the average age that endometriosis is confirmed is around 28 years, while the average age the pain symptoms occur is around 20 years — eight years of pain could cause a lot of damage.

3 FIBROIDS

Uterine fibroids are the most common cancer of the female reproductive system. About 20 percent of women will get it during their reproductive life. Luckily, these growths are usually benign. They can grow as a single lump or in multiples and vary in size.

They usually strike women aged in their thirties and forties, and are usually linked to female hormones. They also seem to run in families.

Symptoms The larger the growths, the more symptoms the woman will manifest. Besides irregular periods, other symptoms may include: »» Bloating or discomfort around the abdomen »» Lower back pain »» Pain during sex »» Difficulty in urination or frequent urination The above is not meant to replace a visit to the clinic. Don’t let embarrassment stop you from getting your irregular periods looked at. This is especially so if you intend to start a family, as some of the causes of irregular periods also play a part in miscarriages. You may also wish to check out some of the health insurance plans that Great Eastern offers.

For more great tips on health and wellness, head over to www.greateasternlife.com/bn/ livegreatreads Start a conversation with your Great Eastern Life distribution representative today. +673 2233118 greateasternlife.com/bn wecare-bn@greateasternlife.bn

+Life inspired

24 PLUS Sep–Oct 2016

Life inspired+

The Children of Yaska PLUS 25

Sep–Oct 2016

+Life inspired

HOW

ADAM WAJDI AND HIS FAMILY

FOUGHT AGAINST LEUKEMIA BACK IN 2008

A

dam Wajdi was nine months old when he was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Obviously, he had no understanding of his condition. His parents were devastated and while his father couldn’t help but cry, his mother remained calm. Both shared the same fear: Was their baby going to die?

As treatments began, it was a heartbreaking nightmare seeing their baby in pain and undergoing invasive procedures.

By that time, Wajdi´s siblings were three and four years old. His parents decided that the family had to stick together, so they brought them to Singapore, where Wajdi was hospitalized. What helped them overcome these traumatic experiences back in 2008 were family attachment, love,  faith, and perseverance.

26 PLUS Sep–Oct 2016

Life inspired+

PLUS 27

Sep–Oct 2016

+Life inspired

28 PLUS Sep–Oct 2016

Life inspired+ At what age was your son first diagnosed with cancer?

Parent: Adam Wajdi was 9 months old when he was diagnosed with cancer (Acute Myeloid Leukemia AML type 7).

The diagnosis must have been devastating, what was your first reaction?

My first reaction as a dad was that I could only cry. There were a lot of questions on my mind — what would happen to my son, whether he was going to die and whether the doctors could find cure for my son. There were a lot of things lingering in my mind. As for my wife, she just tried to calm me down. Just like myself, I know there were a lot of question on her mind too.

How do you feel about the young one coping with the diagnosis?

Heartbroken. We couldn’t fathom how our little baby would bear the pain of having ulcers in his mouth and it was hard seeing very bad rashes on his bottom. When he couldn’t suck milk from the bottle, he had to depend on a nutrition bag for almost two months. When he had a low platelet count, when he got a big stomach because his liver got swollen, when he had to undergo procedures using an MRI scanner, when we had to send him into the operation theater to put him on sedatives to make him sleep, when he had to be injected in the eye once a week because of the viral infection, when we saw him crying because of a urinary infection. The effect of cyclosporine made hair grow all over his body. When he had a very high fever, when seeing tubes attached all over his body.

We wished all of these were only bad dreams and we hoped that somebody would wake us up to end this misery.

How you been able to build a good support group for you and your child, including family and friends?

Back in 2008, there was no WhatsApp and Facebook was still a new thing in Brunei, luckily through the medium of SMS, we managed to get support

from family and friends. We like to say that “Wajdi is quite a ‘famous’child”, most of our childhood friends from the four districts knew about it — they come for moral support, blood donations, prayers and even conducted a “hajat prayer” in the mosque where they lived. Even our Bruneian doctors and nurses were there to give moral support and their prayers. In Singapore, when we thought there was no one to help us, we managed to meet a family that used to be our uncle’s friends. They then became our immediate family and they helped us. Even the nurses, we would call them “human angels”.

They made us feel like we were home away from home. They made our stay in the hospital less boring with success stories of their previous patients.

How are the other siblings reacting to this?

At the time, his two brothers were merely 3 and 4 years old, so they didn’t understand the situation. That was when we decided to bring them along to live in Singapore, despite the difficulties we had faced so far. We understood that Wajdi’s brothers couldn’t understand what was happening to the family. My wife and myself agreed to take turns to take care of both Wajdi and his two brothers during Wajdi’s stay in the hospital, understanding the needs to be fair to all of our children.

Did you find that there have been good resources available to help to you and your youngster through this?

Back then, only limited information could be obtained for the family but then again, in Singapore there were a lot of resources to help the family with childhood cancer.

What more could be done to help the family through this distressing time?

Moral support and prayers is most important. To be in a positive environment and have access to vital knowledge in the form of books, internet links, article, transparent briefings on what is

happening, what is the type of cancer their child is battling, what should be done, what should not be consumed, what precautions we should take to prevent the cancer from getting worse. The bottom line is, as parents, we need more people to show at least sympathy and empathy and not judge our parenting style or what we have been feeding our child that can cause cancer. Believe me, as parents we just want the best for our child and for the people out there to know that childhood cancer is not inherited (except for a few).

How do you keep your youngster’s spirits up when having to go to appointments or treatments?

Since he was a baby, the “mood swings” were certainly there. He was often cranky, demanding, throwing tantrums and refused to wear a protective mask that he was asked to wear every time he had to go out to public places.

Our method was to buy him toys, read him stories and use hand puppets to distract and to calm him down.

What advice would you give to other parents who are dealing with a cancer diagnosis concerning their child?

Don’t let cancer break your family bond, hold lots of prayers, give lots of “sadaqah”, get plenty of support from friends and family, get the information you need to help you through, even the role of nurses and doctors are needed badly, give your full trust to the Almighty, remembering that the doctors and nurses are doing the best to help us through the situation, never give up and most importantly, have patience and perseverance.

FEATURING: Adam Wajdi PHOTOGRAPHER: Ching Jekizan

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+Life inspired

Nor Emie´s Story: A Strong Spirit, A Loving Family, And Faith Allowed This Little Princess To Overcome Cancer Without Losing Her Smile

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or Emie received her diagnosis at the age of 5. As her sister told us, Emie didn´t really understand what was happening.

She just knew there was something wrong with her tummy. The family was shocked by the devastating news. They took the experience as a test from Allah. It was their time to put their love for Nor Emie above all their sadness, and stick together to give the little girl the love, support, and encouragement she would need.

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The strong spirit of the girl, along with the constant support of her family, allowed Nor Emie to undergo every stage of the treatment without losing her tender joy. There were certainly ups and downs, such as when she started to lose her hair and weight. The little girl found that in wearing nice dresses, such as that of Queen Elsa´s, was another way to keep looking and feeling beautiful.

During the process, the family gathered to pray and talk about

how to help her. For that purpose, they read a lot about the condition and learned, for instance, which foods she should eat or avoid. They tried to maintain good humor in front of her, and they were always showing her that this was their fight too.

Today, her cancer is cured although she needs to keep undergoing chemotherapy as a preventive measure. In her interview, her sister  answered on her behalf.

Life inspired+

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+Life inspired Has your sister’s treatments affected he personal appearance? If so, how does she deal with this?

Yes, it did affect her due to her hair loss and weight, but she still kept herself attractive by wearing nice dresses such as Queen Elsa’s dress.

What brings her the most comfort when she has to go treatments?

It is when my family is around her, buying her favorite toys and watching her favorite cartoons.

How is your family handling the fact that your sister has cancer?

My family was at first shocked and tried to understand her illness by being supportive of her treatment for her well-being.

Is there a chance that this type of cancer will be cured or at least go into long-term remission?

Praise God, her cancer is cured but she still needs to continue her chemotherapy in order to prevent any other cancer growth in the future. Yes, the key is for my family and I to continuously boost her self-confidence, to be happy and stay strong together to fight this illness.

The diagnosis must have been devastating, what was your first reaction?

Indeed, it was devastating… my family and I were shocked and quite surprised with the news.

Such a pity that she had to suffer at such as young age. But we stick together as a family and we give her full moral support in order for her to fight her illness.

How do you feel the young one coping with the diagnosis?

Alhamdulillah, she’s a very strong girl. She’s doing fine as she can give full cooperation with the doctors and nurses when needed. My sister will always smiled and kept herself strong.

How you been able to build a good support group for you

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and your sister, including family and friends?

I speak to each of my family members by asking for their opinions and suggestions in order to improve my sister’s health. I always keep them updated about anything and everything that happens to my sister, it helps them to worry less about her.

Did you find that there have been good resources available to help you and your sister through this?

Yes, I did. Through reading resources from health book magazines and the internet, they tell me what should be avoided, for example regarding foods for special children like my little sister.

What more do you think could be done to help the family through this distressing time?

Have more family gatherings and discussions. Listen to suggestions. Also, having desserts can help to decrease the stress.

How do you keep your sister’s spirits up when having to go to appointments or treatments?

I convince her that I will be there for her and I promise her everything will be fine… maybe a gift such as toys to cheer her up.

What advice would you give to other parents who are dealing with a cancer diagnosis concerning their child?

I would tell them the same thing I told my sister to keep them strong — be happy and we will fight the illness together, keep in good spirits, get full moral support and never give up. I would also tell them it is a test from Allah. He wants to see whether a family can stick together to fight it or the other way round because every hardship that we go through will be rewarded with something special at the end and He gives us such test because He loves our family. Just bear in mind that we are not alone in the journey.

FEATURING: Nor Emie PHOTOGRAPHER: Ching Jekizan

Life inspired+

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Sep–Oct 2016

+Life inspired

ALIYA MAISARAH,

A Beloved Child Diagnosed With Retinoblastoma And The Family’s Struggle To Help Her Make It Through

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ur Aliya Maisarah was the happy and healthy youngest child of the family. Having three older sisters and three older brothers, she was certainly the bundle of joy at home.

She was going to daycare where she spent happy moments with little kids her age and, at home, life was cheerful and colourful with her parents and siblings.

However, a cancer was growing inside her. The threatening menace went unnoticed until she was 2 years and 11 months old. She was diagnosed with retinoblastoma, a type of cancer that develops in the eyeball and which had probably been there since birth.

This sudden news caught her parents by surprise. She had always seemed so healthy and full of energy! She was such a happy girl.

There was also a lot of confusion.

They had never even heard the word retinoblastoma before. All the information they had was what the doctors told them, and they had no other option than to rely on their advice. It was explained to them that there were basically two ways to treat this type of cancer: one was to remove the eyeball, and the other was chemotherapy.

There are no ways to express how the diagnosis shocked them.

Fortunately, Maisarah was given the opportunity of receiving a very

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specific treatment called intra-arterial chemotherapy in Singapore, which had been proven to be highly effective.

their belief in God, they accepted the circumstances as part of God´s perfect plan, although they did not fully comprehend it.

Maisarah´s parents had to digest a lot of information while having to cope with their own emotions about the diagnosis. From then on, they felt that their focus should be centered on Maisarah, so they had to take courage out of their love for her and keep their emotions under control as much as possible.

They had each other, they had their faith, and they counted on the health care providers they trusted.

Yet they valued and thanked the incredible support they received from the rest of their family, relatives, colleagues, and friends. As they told us, they didn´t actually build a support group around them.

It happened naturally, and it was paramount for them. Maisarah´s parents admit that families in such situations will always necessitate all the help and support they may get to receive: physically, emotionally, and financially.

One of the first things they had to do was inform their other children about Maisarah´s situation. It was not easy for them, but they accepted it and did their best to make Maisarah feel good. Her siblings, her cousins, and her little friends kept treating her as they would normally and tried to help her with anything they could. Something that helped Maisarah a lot was that her cancer did not affect her daily life much. She could still run, jump, climb trees and ladders with confidence. Therefore, unless she had to go to medical exams or treatments, she could maintain a regular life. And during any treatments or procedures, it was her family who were her source of comfort and relief. It seemed that she totally forgot the needle puncturing her small hand when her parents or siblings were around.

This big family has deep loving bonds and a strong faith. Thanks to

After having dealt with the diagnosis and the treatment of little Maisarah, if they had to give advice to families with children diagnosed with cancer, the first words that would come out of their mouths are “Never lose hope”. They also encourage families to accept all the care and support that other family members and friends may offer them.

Added to that, they highlight the importance of seeking further information on the child´s condition, and share it.

Last but not least, they remind us once again that Allah is the best planner, and child cancer is just another facet of it.



Life inspired+

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Life inspired+ At what age was your child first diagnosed with cancer?

She was diagnosed with cancer in her right eye around Feb 2016.

That time, she was 2 years and 11 months old.

Does her illness affect her social activities with her friends?

The cancer did not really affect her daily routine. She still could mingle and had fun with her friends and siblings. She could run, jump and climb trees and ladders with confidence.

Has her friends stood by her during this time? Or do they now avoid her?

Her cousins, friends and siblings noticed the difference but still treated her very well and helped her in a lot of things.

What brings her the most comfort when she has to go for treatments?

She seemed more comfortable when we, her parents, and especially her sisters and brothers were around. She would definitely forget the needle in her hand.

How is your family handling the fact that she has cancer?

Not easy, but slowly they accepted it.

Is there a chance that this type of cancer can be cured or at least go into long-term remission?

Yes, there is a chance to cure this type of cancer. By chemotherapy or by removing the eyeball.

How did you explain to your youngster what was happening to him/her?

We kept telling her that doctors helped her to be strong and healthy.

How you been able to build a good support group for you and your child, including family and friends?

We did not actually build a good support group. It just happened.

When our family, relatives, colleagues and friends heard the news about the diagnosis, they sincerely offered help and support, not only physically and emotionally but also financially. All the advice and touching moments…

We have faith. This is God’s will. His plan is perfect.

How are the other siblings reacting to this?

We told her siblings that their sister is special. They need to help their little sister and make her feel wanted and happy.

Did you find that there have been good resources available to help you and your youngster through this?

Actually, we never heard the word “Retinoblastoma” before. The information we had was based on what the doctors told us. So everything relied on the doctor’s suggestion.

Maisarah was given an opportunity to go for a specific treatment called intra-arterial chemotherapy in Singapore.

The diagnosis must have been devastating, what was your first reaction?

What advice would you give to other parents who are dealing with a cancer diagnosis concerning their child?

It wasn’t easy. As parents, we were shocked. We had trouble accepting that she had a tumor in her eyes, especially when she always looked so happy and normal. We never thought that Maisarah was in a dangerous situation. We were told that Maisarah might have already had the tumor since birth.

Never lose hope. Do not ignore family and friends’ encouragement, care and support. Sharing the information is very helpful.

Find more resources regarding the situation, learn about the diagnosis and ask doctors for more information. And lastly, Tawakkal. Allah is the best planner.

FEATURING: Aliya Maisarah PHOTOGRAPHER: Ching Jekizan

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Sep–Oct 2016

+Life inspired

From a Simple Medical Consultation to A Brain Tumor Diagnosis, THIS IS SITI NUR HAZIQAH´S STORY

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aziqah is a two-year-old girl who was diagnosed with brain cancer a year ago. A regular consultation due to continuous vomiting, followed by a seizure, ended up in the unexpected brain tumor diagnosis and a following risky brain surgery. The emotional shock for the family was immense.

They couldn´t understand how that was possible when the girl had never missed a monthly evaluation or a single vaccination.

Haziqah´s routine was severely affected. Her immune system was so weakened that she had to avoid contact with people, every single object at the reach of her hands had to be sterilized, and her food had to be very well-cooked. Her mother agrees on the importance of seeking information and support. Family union, once again, was crucial during the girl´s difficult treatment.

Did you understand what cancer was?

That time I did not understand, I didn’t even know about children’s cancer but when I had gone through

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surgeries and the chemotherapy, we found out that this was cancer.

Looking at her made me forgot about my illness and my pain.

Does your illness affect your social activities with your friends?

How is your family handling the fact that you have cancer?

The illness really affected my daily routine, I had to avoid close contact with people surrounding me. My mom had to sterilize all my toys and clothing and my food had to be well cooked. I also had to wear a mask every time I went outdoors.

My family were in shock and emotional when they found out that I had cancer because I never missed any monthly check ups or vaccinations at the clinic.

Has your treatments affected your personal appearance? If so how do you deal with this?

I had a surgery scar at the back of my head during the 6 months of chemotherapy; I had my head shaved when my hair started to fall out. My eyebrows and eyelashes fell off too. My skin started to darken and my lips were always dry.

Is there any chance that this type of cancer will be cured or at least go into long-term remission?

I’m not sure whether I’m totally cured from cancer, I need to follow up with my appointments and treatments for 4 years after my stem cell transplant in April 2016. I still have my port intact on my chest, just in case.

I hope that I will be free from cancer after my 4 years of treatment.

What brings you the most comfort when you have to go treatments?

The diagnosis must have been devastating, what was your first reaction?

My mom was the one who gave me comfort and security during my treatments. She always tried to make me laugh when I was in pain.

My first reaction was that it was very unexpected because she never misses her monthly check up and vaccination at the clinic, so it never

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+Life inspired crossed our minds that she would have cancer. It started when she continuously vomited so we brought her to the nearest clinic and the doctor prescribed her with an antibiotic and her vomiting stopped. A few days after that, she started to vomit again so we gave her medicine, it stopped for a few hours but then during her nap time, when we went to check on her, we noticed that she had a seizure so we informed our relatives and rushed to the hospital. The doctor checked and admitted her for further treatment.

The next morning, when the doctor told me that Haziqah needed to have a CT scan, the doctor then explained that Haziqah had a tumor and needed to be sent to RIPAS as soon as possible. In RIPAS, she was admitted to the HDU ward, where we met with a neuro doctor and he explained about the tumor, the risks and a brain surgery. So on the 13th of September 2015, she was sent to Singapore accompanied by me.

She was admitted at Gleaneagles Hospital Singapore. We spent about 3 weeks in the hospital for the surgery and recovery. When the tumor was examined, it turned out to be a 3rd grade tumor — a very aggressive tumor that may grow back. She needed to have 5 chemo cycles and 1 stem cell transplant to ensure that the tumor does not grow back. She has to have follow up appointments and treatments in RIPAS for 4 years after her stem cell transplant.

How did you explain to your youngster what was happening to him/her?

I explained to her that she was really sick and that she needs medicine to make her well… but she was only one year old when she was diagnosed with cancer, she probably did not understand what had happened to her. As a mother I had to calm her down and keep her comfortable in every way possible.

How do you feel the young one coping with the diagnosis?

She is coping well with the treatment. Her first two chemotherapy sessions made her a bit fussy but yet still active as normal but the last three chemotherapy sessions was the worst, causing her blood to drop dramatically and she was admitted in the ward for weeks until her blood

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was stable enough to go home. She had to maintain hygiene at home, avoiding close contact with other people and surroundings. She also received an injection to boost her white blood cell count every day until it was stable.

She had done very well throughout her treatments.

How you been able to build a good support group for you and your child including family and friends?

Both our families were really supportive at that time.

They understood Haziqah’s condition and every Thursday night, my husband’s family would gather and pray for Haziqah’s wellness.

How are the other siblings reacting to this?

Haziqah has a big brother who was 4 years at the time, he saw what his sister was going through and sometimes he would ask why his sister was not around and my husband would be the one to explain to him about his sister’s condition which made him realize that his sister was not well.

cancer — sharing experiences with others and building a support group and foundation such as YASKA. How do you keep your youngster’s spirits up when having to go to appointments or treatments?

Before any of her treatments or appointments, I would tell her what would happen to her, what the nurses and doctors may do to her. She would normally cry before entering the treatment room but the nurses were really helpful to keep her calm.

Did you find that there have been good resources available to help you and your youngster through this?

What advice would you give to other parents who are dealing with a cancer diagnosis concerning their child?

Yes, we did find some good resources like from books, the internet and the parents of a previous patient who had the same type of cancer — they were very supportive.

We shared our difficulties with them.

My advice to parents is to be strong and have the patience to take care of their special child. It will test your mental and physical strength at the same time, but at the end it will be worth it. Don’t take it for granted, take it as a challenge. Be proud to be chosen to raise your special child.

Insya Allah, Allah will guide you through everything, just keep praying and have faith.

What more do you think could be done to help the family through this distressing time?

We need to raise awareness to the public about children’s cancer so that other people understand and know what the symptoms of children’s cancer are, telling them about the risks and treatment of the

FEATURING: Siti Nur Haziqah PHOTOGRAPHER: Ching Jekizan

+Life inspired

THE ENCOURAGING STORY OF

SIU TZYY WEI

THE YOUNG ADOLESCENT THAT BECAME

AN INSPIRATION FOR CANCER PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES

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iu Tzyy Wei is an amazing teenager who is full of life and what impresses the most of her is the contagious smile that accompanies her wise words. She is just 15 years old, but she exhibits pearls of wisdom, and shares a life perspective we should all learn from.

What makes her particularly special, and possess an awesome maturity despite her innocence are the adversities she had to face. At the age of 11, Tzyy Wei was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, a type of blood cancer.

Years later, life shows that with love, patience, faith and a positive attitude, everything is possible. No words better than Siu´s words to express it:” Life, after all, isn’t about waiting for the rain to stop, but it is about learning how to dance in the rain. If you think you CAN, then  you WILL.”

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Life inspired+ and kept in touch through Whatsapp during my treatment. My English teacher then, Sir Richard Perry, would also frequently visit me in the hospital, sometimes bringing his daughter to accompany me.

Has your treatment affected your personal appearance? If so, how do you deal with this?

Yes, I lost my waist-long hair and also lost my ability to dance, both due to the side effects of chemotherapy. And frankly, I could not deal with them at all. I remember waking up every morning to find clumps of my hair on my bed, on the floor, and basically everywhere that I spent my day on. I remember only wearing pants that went well over the knees and rarely wearing flipflops because I had the tendency to fall over my own feet. Chemotherapy had affected a nerve in my leg, and so I obviously lost the grace and control I had as a street dancer before.

What brings you the most comfort when you have to go to treatment?

At what age were you first diagnosed with cancer?

Does your illness affect your social activities with your friends?

I was diagnosed at the age of 11, in May 2011 with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), a type of blood cancer.

To say that it didn’t will mean that I will be telling white lies. It certainly did. I was a dancer, at the peak of my passion, and spent my weekends practicing for my very first street dance exam when suddenly my whole world fell into pieces. I was banned from going out too often; side effects from frequent cycles of chemotherapy treatment basically annihilated the very mention of “socializing” with anyone at all besides my family members. Even if I had the rare chance of going to the mall then, people would stare at me endlessly because I wore a facemask and a hat, and so I stuck out like a sore thumb

Everyone who had a part in caring for me made each stay in the hospital feel exactly like home. My mom made sure she brought my favorite bed linens and pillows. My dad always brought food that I liked. Both my parents, as well as my little brother, made sure that we were to spend every dinner together in the hospital room I was in when I had to stay overnight. They also made sure I had enough supplies of Jodi Picoult novels to help fill up the long hours.

On special occasions, I remember my doctor allowing my family and me to indulge in pizza and sometimes popcorn. My doctors and nurses actually taught me how the machines that I was stuck with work and that made me feel like a genius for two minutes each time.

Hey, at least I was learning things that weren’t taught in textbooks right? So those little things comforted me a lot and enabled me to forget the depressing parts of being a cancer patient.

Have your friends stood by you during this time? Or do they now avoid you?

How is your family handling the fact that you have cancer?

I’m grateful that they have stood by me during my treatment. Back then, 5 months into a new school year with completely new friends in a completely new school, my friends and I formed a fast and unbreakable bond with each other. When I abruptly left school with only a vague reason to tell my friends, they still sent me get well soon cards

To be accurate, my family and I had ploughed through the cancer diagnosis and treatment five years ago. Back then, even though they tried not to show the fact that they were struggling to accept the diagnosis, they still kept a positive mindset towards the issue. After all, I was told I had an eighty percent chance of overcoming it. My mum had

Did you understand what cancer was?

Yes I did. I knew clearly what it was. I am a huge fan of Jodi Picoult, and learnt the term “leukemia” from one of her books, titled My Sister’s Keeper.

You must have missed some school because of this. How were you able to stay on top of your studies?

You see, the same day that I was diagnosed with ALL, I was told straight up that I had to stop school immediately.

I was devastated, as I had just started Year 7 in Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan Science College (Maktab Sains). But orders are orders. I stopped going to school, but that didn’t mean that I had to stop studying, right? I pestered my parents to allow me to do self-study, and requested for them to find private tutors for me to at least try and catch up to the same level as my friends with what I have missed whilst going through intensive treatment.

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Life inspired+ repeatedly told me that she had to be optimistic herself for me to be optimistic as well. My parents made an effort to make my everyday life as normal as it was before the diagnosis. And when I started to realize what effort they had put in just for me, I began putting effort in getting better for them too. We laughed at lame jokes, watched movies together and made sure each meal time was to be spent with each other, without fail. In a way, accepting the fact that I had cancer brought my family together; and it was because of cancer that we really bonded, despite increasingly busy schedules.

How do you explain to your friends what you were going through?

When I first got the green light to go back to school, I was forced to do Year 7 instead of joining my friends in Year 8. That in itself raised a lot of questions, from my own friends and the batch of students I was due to join. They asked why I was repeating Year 7, because the education system did not have repetition as a choice. I decided that it would be best to tell honestly, to my friends and my new classmates — I had ALL and stopped school for almost 18 months, therefore I had to repeat Year 7. I decided it was better for them to slowly digest and accept me for who I am instead of me putting so much effort to make new friends.

Luckily, my decision back then actually worked. My friends still stuck with me and never once ostracized me and I made new friends who embraced how different I am.

Is there a chance that this type of cancer can be cured or at least go into long-term remission?

I’m here to say that it clearly can go into long-term remission. I was told that ALL patients have an eighty percent chance of survival. I am glad to say that today, I am in remission. In terms of chances of being “cured”, I’d like to better emphasize that prevention is better than cure.

Interview with Siu Tzyy Wei’s parents The diagnosis must have been devastating. What was your first reaction?

The diagnosis was indeed truly devastating. I mean, what kind of cancer diagnosis can ever be positive, right?

When I first received the news that my only daughter was diagnosed with ALL, my whole family’s lives completely turned upside down. I remember that I couldn’t bring myself to tell my

daughter that she had to stop school and to stop dancing. I couldn’t summon the courage to tell her that the following years will be the toughest years that she had to endure yet.

How did you explain to your youngster what was happening to her?

When I heard that my daughter is confirmed to have ALL, I couldn’t hold myself together. My tears were literally flooding the doctor’s office. And so, I requested for the doctor that was due to treat her at that time to break the news about her diagnosis.

How have you been able to build a good support group for you and your child including family and friends?

I’ve been very grateful that my family has been the greatest support system that I can ever ask for. My husband and son visited my daughter in the hospital every evening and we would have dinner together. We spent each available moment together, through the good and the bad. Through YASKA, I found other people who were going through the same phase in life as our children fought the battle. They are people that I could confide in and share health tips and stories to help our children recover faster and we remain close to this day..

How is your son coping with this?

My son was only in Year 4 when my daughter was diagnosed. Back then, he obviously didn’t understand what was going on. It broke my heart that I couldn’t spend time with him as I was too busy caring for my ill daughter. But he isn’t like any other Year 4 boy. He continued studying hard and getting good grades in his examinations as well as being my daughter’s only friend.

Sometimes, he would say to my daughter that he wished her hair was as long as it was before. It was his way of telling his sister to get well soon.

Did you find out that there have been good resources available to help you and your youngster through this?

Honestly speaking, I am a dinosaur when it comes to finding resources online. I preferred reading health magazines than searching for information online. The magazines provided me with plenty of information and tips to help further improve the overall health of all my family members.

What do you think can be done to help the family through this devastating illness?

Today, I prefer not to look at my daughter’s diagnosis as a catastrophe. I also don’t think that I have any regrets when I look back on how I helped my daughter through her cancer journey. Because of cancer, my family has bonded. We learnt to laugh at mistakes instead of dwelling on them. We taught ourselves that it is okay to lean on someone’s shoulder and take a break once in a while. We learned to cherish each moment that we have together as a family. My husband and I, along with our children, are happier than ever today. Without that fateful diagnosis 5 years ago, I cannot imagine life otherwise.

Have there been other children in the family as well that have been diagnosed with childhood cancer?

No. What other advice would you give to other parents who are dealing with a cancer diagnosis concerning their child?

Never ever give up. That is what I would like to say. Always keep a positive mindset, because your children look up to you for moral support, a pillar of encouragement. Always trust your child’s doctor, and follow every advice they give as best as you can. Remember that you are doing this not only for your child but also for your own self.

At the end of the day, please remember that you are greatly appreciated for working hard to help your child live a healthy life and also contribute as much as we can towards a healthier nation. I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to Baiduri Bank, Wu Chun of Fitness Zone, Plus Magazine and everyone one who has voluntarily played a part for the continuous and unconditional support towards childhood cancer. Last but definitely not the least, I would like to dedicate the biggest thank you from the very bottom of my heart to His Majesty and his government. I am definitely without a doubt proud to be Bruneian because under our caring monarch, Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Muizzadin Waddaulah, our health treatment is well taken care of.

INTERVIEW WITH: Siu Tzyy Wei's Parents PHOTOGRAPHER: Ching Jekizan

PLUS 45

Sep–Oct 2016

+Focus

A PARENT’S COPING STRATEGY FOR DEALING WITH A

CHILD’S CANCER 46 PLUS Sep–Oct 2016

Focus+ The first thing that you as the parent need to do is plan for a coping strategy. It all begins with dealing with the emotions that this has imparted on you.

Your initial reaction is going to be one of fear, anger and frustration. If you don’t deal with these first, you will not be able to cope.

The fear is a result of not knowing if your child is going to survive along with what it is going to take to beat the type of cancer that the young one has. Fear of the unknown is the worst type of fear to deal with.

You need to educate yourself as to the details of the type of cancer and the specifics of it as it relates to your child.

The anger comes from why is it your child that has become stricken with this disease? You will not find the answer to this, but coming to grips with it happening to your young one and using your energy to move forward to get through this should become your priority.

AS A PARENT COPING WITH A CHILD THAT HAS CANCER CAN CREATE MANY CHALLENGES THAT NEED TO BE DEALT WITH

O

ne of the most devastating news a parent can receive concerning the health of their child is that the youngster has been diagnosed with cancer. Along with this diagnosis comes a whole gambit of emotions that have to be dealt with quickly because there is also a sense of urgency. A new journey is about to be embarked upon and it will have a profound effect not only on the child but on the parents and others as well.

The frustration will come from the course of treatment and perhaps not seeing the results you are hoping for as quickly as you would like. The important step here is to take one day at a time and focus on whatever it takes to get through it.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE: Accepting that you are not alone is one of the toughest challenges you will face in the beginning. After all, this is your child we are talking about and nobody can experience what you are feeling at this time or how the future will affect you.

However, this doesn’t mean that you cannot share your pain with others that are close to you. Seek out those that are going to be able to listen and let you vent openly and honestly about your fears and emotions. Take advantage of whatever outside support is available to you. There may be support groups that you can join or programs for parents with kids with cancer that you can participate in.

REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE HUMAN: You are going to do whatever is necessary to help your child through this, even to the point where you may become physically and mentally exhausted. Then when you do, you may brow beat yourself into thinking that you should be stronger. Remember that you are human and while your youngster is going through some major difficulties, you are too, and it’s okay to accept the fact that you can’t do everything. Let others help when they are available. If it means letting someone sit with your little one when they are going through a rough time for a few hours then take advantage of this, and use that free time to re-energize yourself.

COPING WITH OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS: Most likely you are going to see yourself as the rock of the family and will automatically want to protect other family members from the emotional trauma that you are experiencing. Don’t be afraid to be honest about your feelings with those family members that can be supportive of you. Let the stronger ones help deal with those in the family that are not coping so well.

You need to be able to focus on what you can do best for your sick youngster, and you will need all of your strength to do this.

OTHER PEOPLE ARE IMPORTANT TO YOUR YOUNGSTER: It is easy to forget, as a parent of a child with cancer, that there are other important people in their lives. These can be grandparents, siblings and close friends. Letting these people help your young one through their battle with cancer will provide a much stronger support group for the child and give them a sense of normalcy. This in return will take some of the responsibility off of you which will allow you to maintain your strength both mentally and emotionally, which is the best medicine you are capable of providing your young one.

PLUS 47

Sep–Oct 2016

29 September 2016

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