Weekend....

Despite a busy weekend, I still managed to get a good rest...sleeping of course.

In the morning of Saturday, I went to RIPAS for an appointment with the Occupational Health Department. I met this lady called Zubidah. She is nice and friendly. She was so surprised, why only after 2 years, I had came to see her. So I told her the process and procedures that I went through at that time and we concluded, there had been 'communication' error somewhere along the line. We chatted until about an hour on so many things....life, children and of course health and medical stuff.

Later in the afternoon, I had some tennis games with my husband, my son and some other tennis mates.

In the evening, after sending off my boys to their tuition, my husband took me out to dinner, birthday treat it was. He suggested many places but I chose C@fe De Roy@lle. I had salmon steak and he had salmon avocado salad (dieting I suppose hehehe). I have tried a few salmon steak around, but so far, that was the best. The portion was just nice and it was very tasty (I should have taken the picture). I plan to go again this weekend or may be to Charcoal?

After, I would say, a heavy treat that Saturday night and Sunday afternnon, we had some tennis again that Sunday. Played a few winning games and joined the netball enthusiasts after that. I had not played netball for 8? years but I still love the game....who doesn't when you were just one of those who had represented Brunei years ago in the Arafura Games'92 in Darwin? Yes, I was in the National Team! Brunei was just 'too young' to participate. It was 'trial and error' but was a good experience and exposure for the 12 of us at that time, especially when netball was starting to be very popular in Brunei. Winning is one thing but the knowledge and skill acquired which count. I am also a certified netball umpire. Myself and another netball mate were the first from Brunei to attended the Netball Umpiring Camp in Singapore at that time. But as I said, I am more to tennis now.

Anyway, how hectic your schedules are, what ever sports you love, carry on and move on. It is the choice that you made. I wish everyone the pink of health......

12 June....

It's the month of the year and the date of the month. Another year passed by, another year came around. Thank you Allah for this wonderful blessing and precious gift.

It's my birthday today. I shed tears when my beloved husband greeted and wished me this morning. It has been 18 wonderful years we shared our lives together. He had been there for me all these years and with me on my birthday today. Alhamdulillah, another wonderful gift for me from Allah.

I recieved a lot of sms this morning from family, friends and colleagues in the office. There were also greetings on air via KFM. My nieces Ku Farah Eica and Ku Farah Abadi made an early morning phone call to me.

'Happy birthday Bonda! Are you going to belanja us tomorrow?' said Eica

I laughed and asked her for my presents.

'Happy birthday Bonda! I love you' greeted Abadi

I asked her for my presents as well and she asked for hers instead as her birtday is not long from now.

These are my other cute nieces. Abadi, the talent for Disney Channel programme, will have her episode on air this Saturday, 14 June at 9ish and 5ish. The repeast will be at the same time on Sunday.

I am so proud to be their bonda.

News Over Lunch...

Heard from a friend that two of her friends had been diagnosed with breast cancer, stage 3 and 4 respectively. One of them had to go for further treatment in Singapore now while the other is resting at home after some series of chemotheraphy and radiotheraphy to follow up later. I have not got much detail though i.e why at stage 3 and 4. I have been wondering till now, how could that happen but keep fighting warriors. My prayers with you.......


Known facts

1. Lack of awareness


2. Shying away


3. Ignorant

I would raise up my hand for 1, which is the case in many. We still think that once you are diagnosed with cancer, any cancer that is, you are facing the death sentence. Completely not true. The taboo had long gone. There are so many survivor stories around and these survivors had cheated death. There are so many medical advancements now. More information are made available, be them in the net, books, magazines, talks, etc. It is all up to us to be in the 'AWARE' mode. I would not deny that myself, as death was exactly what I thought too, when the doctor broke the news to me. Because back then, cancer was a bad word. Nobody even dare talked about it or even to mention it. Even the doctors were reluctant to discuss cancer. Many of us have the so called the 'ostrich syndrome'. We believed that what don't know and talk about it, won't affect us.

The lack of awareness leads to SHYING AWAY with the disease. There is no one to turn to, for comfort or even support. In some case, refraining even from the closest people around if not from own best friends. This added to the stress of coping to live with the disease. That is why in many cases, patients would simply give-up. They lose hope and lose the courage.

It is sad to hear and is that purely ignorant? Ignorant for not undergoing check-ups? Ignorant to know? Ignorant to live and fight?

Cancer doesn't just affect one person, it affects everyone who knows the person, and it takes a community to beat it.

Happenings....

Breast Cancer Support Group Walkathon, 4 May, 2008

With families and friends in support of my activity (pics courtesy of CTM)

With DJ Anna from KFM after the on-air interview

Series of survivor talks

Above with anakbrunei (pic courtesy of ranoadidas)

(pic courtesy of anakbrunei)

There are reasons....

Those who had the same experience, may be a sister, a mother, best friend or possibly even yourself, are welcome to share their experience here. We need to spread the words and make more people to be aware that cancer is no longer a death sentence. There is hope. Remember if you have faith that Allah will take care of you, then Allah will take care of you....Live and fight.....

Weekend routine and today

Weekend: I had wonderful games of tennis yesterday. My husband and my son, were there as well, besides other normal tennis mates. Played 2 games of mixed doubles and won them all.

Today: Shared my article 'Chilling words of a life with cancer' with the audience who attended the awareness talk last Friday. The article was published in the local newpaper last year and received a lot of feedback.

Cancer Awareness Talk and Arryana

The talk....I never thought I would touched the heart of my audiences when I shared them my personal story yesterday. I made them cry. I did not mean to but yes, I made them cry. One after the other, they came up to me and congratulated me for my achievement. The one thing I taught them yesterday was that, we have 2 options in life; to live or to die in other words, to fight or just simply give up. I myself, chose to live and fight. To be honest, I could easily gave up actually, when the diagnosis was first confirmed. But knowing I am a strong-willed person, I could not simply give up and lose the fight. I have to make a new start in my journey.....journey of my life.

Arryana.....my niece, turned 2 yesterday. A cute little girl, whom always made my day, after a long day in the office. I was so proud as she ran to me and hugged me. She just sat on my lap and wanting me to cuddle her.....I will always be her BONDA.

Cancer Awareness Talk

I am all ready for the talk tomorrow and looking forward for it actually. I don't really know why. But I hope, I would change the life of others by sharing my personal experience.

What's on today.....

I am still in the midst of setting up this blog, the layout, background, etc. Hopefully, how it looks now will last, ya, I really hope so.

Birthdays.....

Happy 27th birthday to brother Oya and happy 2nd birthday to cutie Sofea Arryana (2 June). May you will always be in HIS safe-keeping.