Melina’s Story
Read true stories of women who have been impacted by breast cancer. These stories allow these brave women to share their cancer journey and talk openly about their feelings and experiences before, during and after treatment. While names have been changed to protect their identities, their experiences are as real as ever.
“I’m Celebrating Two Years of Being Cancer Free”
February 24 marks an important date for me. I put a big red circle around this date in my calendar every year as a reminder of my journey.
It’s been two years since my breast cancer diagnosis.
I’ve gone through all the necessary treatments. I had a lumpectomy which means I had a small lump removed where the cancer on my breast was located. I then had radiation treatment followed by a course of chemotherapy. There were six cycles in total for the chemotherapy. That was hard for some time but I think being generally healthy and active helped me recover and bounce back. I lost my hair but that was expected.
The good news is that my hair has begun to grow back so I am just experimenting with short hairstyles for now. The best news of all is, of course, being able to say that I am now fully in remission which means I do not have any cancer.
This is a truly good time for me. My kids are grown, I’m close enough to retirement, and this health scare has been a reminder for me to take it easy, smell the roses, and truly enjoy all that life has to offer.
I’ve always been pretty health conscious, but now after going through breast cancer, I am taking even more care and doing things better. I have regular tests and scans after my treatment, and after each scan, I come home and tell my husband and kids that I am cancer-free for one more year.
I need to mark the milestone each time. I keep these milestones as clear reminders of how far I have come. But these milestones also help me to not worry about things like I used to. It helps me stay on the right path as I move forward.
There’s one thing for sure though – I am incredibly thankful for all the care and support I have received throughout this cancer journey. So many people have been a big part of this journey. My family has been tremendously kind and supportive. They are always looking out to see what I need and assisting with chores and I am grateful for my family.
But this isn’t all because I have also had a pleasant experience all around during my hospital stay. From my surgery team of doctors and nurses to the nurses involved in the other treatments along the way, everyone has been professional and attentive but also kind. It truly makes a difference and I couldn’t have asked for anything more.
Cancer seems to be pervasive these days: everywhere we look, someone may be battling cancer. So, I am grateful that we’re living at a time when so much continues to be done in terms of cancer research and treatment. I am hopeful that we can find a cure for cancer someday.
I am glad I maintained those regular mammogram screenings. Had I put it off, I might be telling a different story today. So, please remember to take your screenings seriously and prioritise your health. You are so worth it.
These days, I focus my time and energies on staying positive and continuing to look after my health – both mental and physical. Most days, I feel great. I have an active lifestyle, I exercise and eat well. For me, it’s all about owning my decisions, staying active and invested in understanding more about what I am facing and then taking steps to deal with it. What else can you do? I don’t want to sit around and complain, what’s the point of that?
If you are facing a cancer screening or treatment decision, check out Cancer Research Malaysia’s patient decision aid today. It’s free to use and may help you in making decisions about your treatment and care.
Melina, aged 53
Breast cancer survivor
It’s been two years since my breast cancer diagnosis.
I’ve gone through all the necessary treatments. I had a lumpectomy which means I had a small lump removed where the cancer on my breast was located. I then had radiation treatment followed by a course of chemotherapy. There were six cycles in total for the chemotherapy. That was hard for some time but I think being generally healthy and active helped me recover and bounce back. I lost my hair but that was expected.
The good news is that my hair has begun to grow back so I am just experimenting with short hairstyles for now. The best news of all is, of course, being able to say that I am now fully in remission which means I do not have any cancer.
This is a truly good time for me. My kids are grown, I’m close enough to retirement, and this health scare has been a reminder for me to take it easy, smell the roses, and truly enjoy all that life has to offer.
I’ve always been pretty health conscious, but now after going through breast cancer, I am taking even more care and doing things better. I have regular tests and scans after my treatment, and after each scan, I come home and tell my husband and kids that I am cancer-free for one more year.
I need to mark the milestone each time. I keep these milestones as clear reminders of how far I have come. But these milestones also help me to not worry about things like I used to. It helps me stay on the right path as I move forward.
There’s one thing for sure though – I am incredibly thankful for all the care and support I have received throughout this cancer journey. So many people have been a big part of this journey. My family has been tremendously kind and supportive. They are always looking out to see what I need and assisting with chores and I am grateful for my family.
But this isn’t all because I have also had a pleasant experience all around during my hospital stay. From my surgery team of doctors and nurses to the nurses involved in the other treatments along the way, everyone has been professional and attentive but also kind. It truly makes a difference and I couldn’t have asked for anything more.
Cancer seems to be pervasive these days: everywhere we look, someone may be battling cancer. So, I am grateful that we’re living at a time when so much continues to be done in terms of cancer research and treatment. I am hopeful that we can find a cure for cancer someday.
I am glad I maintained those regular mammogram screenings. Had I put it off, I might be telling a different story today. So, please remember to take your screenings seriously and prioritise your health. You are so worth it.
These days, I focus my time and energies on staying positive and continuing to look after my health – both mental and physical. Most days, I feel great. I have an active lifestyle, I exercise and eat well. For me, it’s all about owning my decisions, staying active and invested in understanding more about what I am facing and then taking steps to deal with it. What else can you do? I don’t want to sit around and complain, what’s the point of that?
If you are facing a cancer screening or treatment decision, check out Cancer Research Malaysia’s patient decision aid today. It’s free to use and may help you in making decisions about your treatment and care.
Melina, aged 53
Breast cancer survivor
Cancer Research Malaysia is the only non-profit organisation in Malaysia dedicated to saving lives through impactful cancer research in Asians. We have developed a unique patient decision aid specifically for cancer patients, and make this freely available on this website.
