PEACE ROAD 2017

This time I had a chance to join PEACE ROAD 2017 in Kuala Lumpur.  Running makes me feel alive – and I’m still just a beginner. Running puts me in control of my body, my happiness and my health, connects me with amazing people, and helps me change the lives of those affected by blood cancer especielly my type of cancer - Acute promyelocytic leukemia.  

I'm proud of myself for completing the 5k run in 00:51:06 and burn 316 kcl. 

Thank you hubby for sponsor this running

after the run

Blood Cancer Awareness Month!

Blood cancers are cancers of the blood, bone marrow or lymph nodes that affect normal blood cell production or function. Leukemia is part of Blood Cancers (leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma) and September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month, and I using it as an opportunity to raise awareness of the symptoms of Leukemia (blood cancers), which are vague, non-specific and often confused for other illnesses, such as flu.

The signs and symptoms of leukaemia

Leukaemia can be hard to spot because the signs and symptoms are common to other unrelated illnesses. Knowing what to look out for could help you make the decision to visit your doctor sooner for a blood test. The six most common symptoms experienced by all leukaemia patients prior to diagnosis. These are:

1. Fatigue
2. Bruising or bleeding
3. Bone/joint pain
4. Fever or night sweats
5. Sleeping problems
6. Shortness of breath 

There are four main types of leukaemia that differ by the rate of cancer progression (acute or chronic) and the type of blood stem cell affected (myeloid or lymphoid). Certain leukaemia types are more common at different ages. This means the symptoms most frequently experienced by people of different ages prior to diagnosis can vary.

Other less frequently experienced symptoms of leukaemia are:

• Swollen lymph nodes
• Stomach discomfort
• Nausea or vomiting
• Numbness in hands or feet
• Heart palpitations
• Loss of concentration
• Infections
• Headaches
• Muscle pain
• Back pain
• Itchy skin
• Weight loss

 If you spot several of the symptoms outlined above it could indicate a leukaemia diagnosis. This may not be the case, as the symptoms are common to other unrelated illnesses, but visiting the doctor earlier can be crucial for either ruling leukaemia out or getting an early diagnosis. Early diagnosis saves lives, don’t delay. If you are experiencing more severe symptoms, you may need to seek urgent medical care.

 

Bone marrow aspirate and trephine (BMAT) kali ke 6

Pada 6 Julai 2017, yana kena buat BMAT kali ke 6 (kalua x salah la). Bone marrow aspirate and trephine (BMAT) biopsy ni boleh dibuat di hospital atau klinik (dalam ward atau di daycare) atau di bilik rawatan je. Biasanya prosedur ini akan dibuat oleh doktor yang specializes in blood disorders seperti  hematologist  atau cancer oncologist.

Proses utk BMAT ni hanya memakan masa 10 ke 15 minit je, tetapi masa lebih diperlukan untuk penyediaan prosedur (dalam 30 minit). Sebelum prosedur dijalankan blood pressure and heart rate akan di checked oleh nurse dan kita juga akan diberikan  anesthesia untuk keselesaan. Ada juga pesakit diberikan IV medication supaya kita akan pengsan atau lali saja masa prosedur dijalankan.

Biasanya kawasan yang sesuai untuk BMAT ni adalah disekitar hipbone (posterior iliac crest) tapi bagi yang berbadan besar, doktor akan ambik pada bahagian hadapan.

Bone marrow aspiration

The bone marrow aspiration is usually done first. The doctor makes a small incision, then inserts a hollow needle through the bone and into the bone marrow.

Using a syringe attached to the needle, the doctor withdraws a sample of the liquid portion of the bone marrow. You may feel a brief sharp pain or stinging. The aspiration takes only a few minutes. Several samples may be taken.

The health care team checks the sample to make sure it's adequate. Rarely, fluid can't be withdrawn and the needle is moved for another attempt.

Bone marrow biopsy

Your doctor uses a larger needle to withdraw a sample of solid bone marrow tissue. The biopsy needle is specially designed to collect a core (cylindrical sample) of bone marrow.

Selepas selesai prosedur, doktor akan letak bandage dekat kawasan yang dicucuk tu. Kemudiannya kita dimintak berehat seketika (baring). After 3 jam or lebih sudah boleh balik rumah. Pengalaman saya kalau dicucuk pada bahagian bawah hipbone, sakitnya tak berapa la sangat (MC 2 hari pun dah cukup) tapi kalaau sebelah atas hipbone terasa kesengalannya dekat seminggu. Kena solat duduk almost a week.

Sebelum buat BMAT kali ke 6 ni, yana ada rasa sengal-sengal badan dan tak tahu apa puncanya. Lepas buat BMAT ni hilang terus rasa sengal-sengal tu (bagusnya). Yana pun tak tahu apa kaitan sengal badan dengan BMAT tu. Next BMAT tak tahu tarikh lagi, harap after 6 month (sepatutnya 3 month).

BMAT kali ke 6 ditemani suami tersayang

Muka risau nak kena cucuk