MCL: Treatment in Brunei

This is a continuation to earlier posts MCL and MCL: Further Diagnosis.

All tests were negative and it was a slightly better news in a while. This meant that the cancer had not spread anywhere else and the chance of full recovery was increased.

My treatment was then planned; I would have to go through a series of chemotherapy, with the last one to be of a very high strength. I was also told that, because of the strength of the drugs to be used, there was a high probability that I might not be able to bear any children, so I was advised to consider storing some sperm samples. As I was the only known case of MCL in Brunei ever, I was to be sent to Singapore to further consultation at the National Cancer Centre of the National University Hospital, Singapore. It was also where I was to see a doctor about storing my sperm samples.

My family initially resisted the idea of chemotherapy. They asked me to consider alternative medicine, such as traditional, herbal or homeopathy. I was never a fan of alternative medicine; the conventional, hospital-based medical care had proven itself and I was adamant that I would not go away from it. After one very teary talk with my family, I made it clear to them that my intention was to get better and hospital-based medical care was my only choice. I also told them that if I were to try alternative medicine, I would do it alongside the hospital treatment.

With me being diagnosed with MCL, it obviously brought changes to the family. I invited a good friend of mine, who had recovered from lung cancer, to come to the house. He shared his story with the family, telling them how his family's life was changed. Their diet changed. Their view of life changed. Their way of life changed. He also shared the sacrifices that his family had to do; everyone in the family turned vegetarian. He also said that, regardless of our faith, religious obligation should never be forgotten. At the end, he told us that tender loving care and moral support were very important to the cancer patient. I was grateful of this friend, TFM, whom I still keep in touch with even though he had left the company as he retired a few years ago.

It was a while before I left for the second opinion consultation with the National Cancer Centre of the National University Hospital in Singapore. I had returned to work, though I was allowed to take as much time as I needed. I just felt that I needed to bring some normality back into my life. Support from my friends and colleagues was tremendous and it made it easier to return to work. Obviously everyone was concerned that I might aggravate the condition that I was having, but they were not letting their concern show. I was not treated any much different or special than before, not that I wanted them to. I also started to do some sports, playing badminton with friends and running on the beach, as I was told to keep fit before starting the chemotherapy treatment.

On one Wednesday afternoon, I received a phone call from the doctor, who had been looking after me, that an appointment had been set up with the specialist in Singapore on the following Friday, so I would have to leave the very next day.....