My update

I went for my check-up today. As usual, I had my blood test done on Friday so that I could collect the test results today.

Cancer marker (CA 153) => 13.8

Though I am feeling fine, for some reason, my cancer marker seemed to have a mind of its own and had been steadily heading north since January this year. It is now 13.8, up from 12 in January. As expected, my onco is not bothered as it is still well within the normal of 25. But I am curious to know why and when it is at least going to stabilise or head south again.

I am still fine and my onco seemed to think so too, after getting 'no' for pain, breathlessness and discomfort. Again, he asked about the medication I am on. When I said ayurvedic herbal brew, he said he just wanted to know. Oh, so he wanted to know what is keeping me alive. Okay, then I should have told him it's actually ayurvedic herbal brew plus a lot of Buddha's blessings. I was slow. I must remember to tell him this on my next visit. Really, this new onco seemed more open, receptive and friendlier.

I told him I am not going for any hormone therapy as I don't want any foreign stuff interfering with the natural functions of my body. He explained that the hormone therapy is not exactly interfering and is actually good for me - whatever, I am not taking it. My next appointment is 10 weeks' time in November.

My appointment today was for 11.40am but I waited until 1.15pm before I could see him. I read some to kill time, but having to breathe through the facemask (thanks to the H1N1) all the time, kept making me tired and drowsy. Occasionally, I had to lift up the mask to get a bit of 'fresh air' - yeah, right, the air in hospital buildings is never fresh, but still it is slightly better than having to breathe through the mask.

I had lunch and then went to check on my sister-in-law in block 7. Then it's back to NCC again to see J who has an appointment with her onco (same onco as me). By the time, J was done, it was past 3pm. M was there with another patient, A, who lived somewhere near my area. A was alone and I found out from M that she would be taking a bus back. I really wanted to stay and accompany A as we would be heading in the same direction, but A hadn't seen her onco yet, and I was already shagged by then. I had been up at 5am to get breakfast for my kids, and even though I had a 1.5 hour nap before I set out this morning, I was feeling the strain.

I reached home at 5.15 and had to down another cup of coffee before I was able to do this post.