MyStory:CeritaKu – Inspirational Stories to give insight, help you and your loved ones deal with cancer

The 2005 Radiology Malaysia-Meditel MyStory:CeritaKu contest brought out the best in Malaysians. So many heart wrenching stories were submitted and the judges had a difficult time selecting the winners. Being able to write about your experiences is victory in itself.

We are pleased to present the winning stories:
 

Grand Prize Winner

I dream of conquering higher mountains
by Rene’e Aziz Ahmad

Rene’e, a breast cancer survivor, was the grand prize winner of the Radiology Malaysia-Meditel MyStory:CeritaKu 2005 contest.

Read her story of how she dealt with cancer – the feelings of guilt and subsequently how she overcame the pain and has started to live life again. A true story of grit, determination and now, Rene’e wants to be a source of inspiration to others.

Click here for her story!
 

My life changed when my wife was diagnosed with ovarian cancer
by Roy Norman Botley
Roy at 72 years old, has chosen Malaysia as his second home and submitted his story hoping others would learn from his experience of caring for his wife with ovarian cancer. This is a moving account of a devoted husband and how he dealt with his wife’s cancer, which he described as a privilege to care for her. Find out why.

Click here for his story!

Cancer is a harsh teacher…
by Jamilah Samian
For every woman who is afflicted with breast cancer, a killer that stalks the lives of numerous women worldwide, surviving becomes a personal struggle. In August 2005, my cousin at 45 years was diagnosed with breast cancer. 

This is her story as told to me.
 

Goodbye Mother
by Munirah Aminullah
Munirah tells us what it feels like to have a mother diagnosed with breast cancer, the hope of cure being dashed with the news of spread of the cancer to the bones and the liver. Finally Munirah accepts the fact that her mother’s time had come.

Read her story
 

My Mother’s Victory
by Sharon Toh Shu Ren
Sharon tells us the hurt that her mother felt when some friends stopped coming by as if cancer was a contagious disease. However, her mother rose above the spectre of the disease and left an immeasurable legacy. The memory of her mother’s colourful and vibrant personality, will remain with Sharon and her family and friends for as long as they live.

Click here for her story

I lost my breast but not everything else!
by Siti Marlina Zainal
Siti had to deal with the loss of a breast at the tender young age of 28. However, all is not lost with the support of her loved ones and the happiest day of her life was the 4 Sep 2005 - when she married her fiancé who was her pillar of strength through the roller coaster days of being treated for her breast cancer.

Her story can be found here

Mom had breast cancer but she was no invalid
by Keh Chooi Lan
Chooi Lan tells us her mother’s determination to fight cancer even though it had spread to other parts of the body and her sensible approach to advanced cancer. Even though her mother was diagnosed with cancer while Chooi Lan and her siblings were still teenagers, her mother lived to see all of them graduate from universities and begin their careers.

Read all about it

Cancer is not just a lump that is taken away and forgotten
by Wong Mei Lee
Mei Lee is a health writer and shares with us her observations about cancer, its treatment and the people with cancer. She believes a better emotional support and counselling system needs to be developed throughout Malaysia.

Read her story

Cancer should be CanSur-vive!
by Cynthia Chok Fui Man
Cynthia’s early encounter with cancer was in her Aunty. She details her thoughts as she struggles with this feared entity – cancer and the association with death. Finally she comes to terms with this disease in the most positive manner possible and coins the term “CanSur-vive”!

Click here for her story

I wish to live longer…I have breast cancer
by Sooria Kumari Singovan
Sooria, despite being a nurse by profession, describes how devastating it is like to be told one has cancer, her struggle to overcome the disease and subsequently her achievements despite cancer. She does not take life for granted anymore and is definitely living life to the fullest now!

Her story is here!

No one told me it would be like this
by Susan Marquez
Susan was inspired to write this story after she herself went through the anxiety and fear of thinking she had a cancer when she felt pain in her breasts. Fortunately all her tests were negative. She shares with us her thoughts about cancer.

Read her story

My Mom, My Heroine
by Keh Chooi Yiang
Chooi Yiang remembers her mother fondly and how as the “children”, they were not allowed either to feel sorry for her or do things differently. Her mother continued to be the chief executive officer and managing director of their home despite having to deal with breast cancer that came back 10 years after the initial diagnosis.

Read her tribute to Mom

I continue to live after breast cancer and colon cancer!
by Gan Poy Kim
Mdm Gan Poy Kim’s experience is not unusual, in that sometimes, diagnostic tests may not be able to yield the correct diagnoses immediately. More than one test may be necessary or even repeated biopsy to ensure adequate tissue samples were taken for diagnosis. To top this off, 4 years later, she was diagnosed with cancer of the colon. However, she continues to live a full life and now is happy to provide support and encouragement to others faced with the same challenges of being diagnosed with cancer.

Here is her amazing story!
 

Why am I here if I fight a losing battle?
by Dr Khoo Teck Kim
Dr Khoo tells us his thoughts about losing a patient to ovarian cancer. The story is told through the perspective of a healthcare professional and how one reconciles the fact that losing a patient may not mean losing the battle!

Note: Dr Khoo was aware that since he currently resides outside of Malaysia, his entry although shortlisted for prizes was not eligible for a win. Even so, he was happy to share his story with Radiology Malaysia.

Read his story

Seven ways to help someone you love deal with cancer
by Sharon Toh Shu Ren
Sharon’s mother was diagnosed with cancer of the colon when she was 17 and died when she was 19. Today six years later, Sharon shares how it is to see cancer from a spectator’s perspective with a wisdom that goes beyond her age. A must read!

Note: Both stories that Sharon submitted were prize winning entries but rules dictate each person could only win one prize

More here!