Selamat Tinggal 2010

Malam ini, ramai yang berjalan dan pasti mempunyai acara sendiri... ada yang berkumpul bersama keluarga, jalan bersama orang yang di kasihi malah ada yang sendirian terutama mereka yang jauh dari keluarga kerana merantau mencari wang demi untuk meneruskan hidup. Bagi diriku pula, malam ini, saya sendirian dalam bilik mendengar radio Sangkakala Surabaya dari Internet radio. Mendengar Khotbah dan nasihat-2 yang berguna dan saya rasa di berkati lewat khotbah tadi...

Satu jam lebih lagi Tahun 2010 akan berlalu... dan akan mulai Tahun 2011... banyak hal yang membuat saya merenung kembali terutama Kasih, anugerah dan pertolongan Tuhan atas hidupku... Tanpa Tuhan, saya tidak mungkin ada sampai saat ini. Bila mengingat balik semua pertolongan-Nya dan kebaikan-Nya sempat membuat saya menitiskan airmata. Saya di sembuhkan dengan percuma-cuma dan semua ongkos perubatan gratis di tanggung oleh Kerajaan Brunei.  Malah saya dan Emak di beri Elaun selama saya berada di Singapura...

Christmas Eve in Eastwood Valley Golf and Country Club

I went Miri on the 24th December 2010. We traveled at 6 am from house and reached there at 8 30 am in the morning. We went there early to avoid the huge traffic who can be occurred during this season and end of year events took place in various place in Miri. We stayed in Eastwood Hotel Valley and Country Club which was booked earlier via Net. Visit here if you wish to know more on this Hotel.

We stayed at Long House and I like this place so much. Inside the Longhouse, there are 4 single beds available. Simple room layout yet very convenience and Budget save.

 

 

Christmas Season

This year Christmas, I planned to go back my hometown Lawas. But unfortunately, my leave was not approved since lots of staff already went on leave. We were planned for the big family gathering... but I was not there... So sad!!! Then I just found my own program and have a walked somewhere to feel the Christmas season here in Brunei... I went to The Empire Hotel and Country Club with sister and her kids.

I spend only 1 hour there because outside was raining heavily. This christmas season make me think. People out there who don't understand may think, Christmas is associated with the Santa Clause who give out the presents and gifts. If someone think that, it can be very sad. The real meaning of Christmas is not Santa Clause or Christmas Tree at all BUT the Birth of Jesus Christ, the Messiah to the Earth. There is nothing wrong with the display of Santa Clause or Christmas tree during this Christmas season but the if you forget the Christ, then Christmas mean nothing to you and you don't understand the real meaning of Christmas.

Interferon (Roferon, Intron A)

 What interferon is

Interferon alpha is a man-made copy of a substance that some types of white blood cell make naturally in the body. The blood cells make interferon as part of the immune response, when the body reacts to infection or to cancer.
Interferon works in several ways. It interferes with cancer cells and stops them growing and multiplying. And it stimulates the immune system by encouraging killer T cells and other cells to attack cancer cells. It also encourages cancer cells to send out chemicals that attract the immune system cells to them.
Interferon is used to treat several different types of cancer, particularly renal cell (kidney) cancer, malignant melanoma, multiple myeloma and some types of leukaemia. It is also used to treat diseases other than cancer.
Interferon can only be given into the bloodstream or by injection. It is most often given by injection just under the skin (subcutaneously). How often you have it depends on what you are being treated for. It can be given daily, although it is most often given 3 times a week. If you are having interferon for some weeks or months, you can be taught to give the injection yourself at home. Or a family member can learn how to do it. You should keep your interferon in the fridge.

You should tell your doctor if you have

• Shingles or exposure to someone with chickenpox (interferon treatment may make this flare up)
• Heart disease

The side effects associated with interferon alpha are listed below. You can use the links (underlined) to find out more about each side effect. Where there is no link, the information in the chemotherapy side effects chemotherapy side effetssection may be helpful. Although interferon is not chemotherapy, the way you manage side effects may be similar. Or you can click on search at the top of the page.

Common side effects

With this drug, many people have a temporary drop in the number of blood cells made by the bone marrow, leading to the following side effects

• Increased risk of getting an infection from a drop in white blood cells - it is harder to fight infections and you can become very ill. You may have headaches, aching muscles, a cough, sore throat, pain passing urine or feel cold and shivery. 
• Tiredness and breathlessness due to a drop in red blood cells (anaemia) - you may need a blood transfusion
• Bruising more easily due to a drop in platelets - you may have nosebleeds, bleeding gums after brushing your teeth, or lots of tiny red spots or bruises on your arms or legs (known as Petechia

Some of these side effects can be life threatening, particularly infections.  You should contact your doctor if you have any of these side effects.  Your doctor will check your blood counts regularly to see how well your bone marrow is working
Other common side effects include

• Fatigue - patients say this is the most disruptive side effect of all. Tiredness often carries on after treatment has ended. Most people find their energy levels are back to normal from 6 months to a year after their treatment finishes.
• Flu-like symptoms: fever, chill, headache, aching muscles and joints. Nearly everyone taking interferon has this side effect at first. It usually gets better as your course of treatment continues. These symptoms usually begin 2 to 4 hours after your injection and last for about 12 hours. Take paracetamol before your injection and every 4 to 6 hours afterwards for as long as you need to. But don't take more than 8 tablets in 24 hours. You can try having your injection and paracetamol before you go to bed to see if that helps.
• Feeling or being sick - this happens to about half the people treated
• Diarrhoea Diarrhoea - you should drink plenty of fluids. If diarrhoea is severe or continues you could get dehydrated, so tell your doctor or nurse.
• Loss of appetite - may increase as your course of treatment goes on. You may also have taste changes or a metallic taste in your mouth
• Interferon may have a harmful effect on a baby developing in the womb. It is not advisable to become pregnant or father a child whilst taking this drug. You should discuss contraception with your doctor before having the treatment.

Occasional side effects

Some people have the following side effects

• A skin rash or itching at the injection site
• Hair thinningthis is more likely to happen with long courses or high doses of interferon
• Depression, confusion or extreme sleepiness. This is more common in older patients or people who have had depression before. Tell your doctor if you have these symptoms.
• Change in liver enzyme blood tests. This is usually very mild but your doctor may take regular blood tests to monitor for this.
• Heart problems. These are quite uncommon and nearly always get better when treatment is stopped. You should tell your doctor if you have had heart problems before.
• Loss of appetite
• Loss of fertility- you may not be able to get pregnant or father a child after treatment with this drug. It is important to talk to your doctor about your fertility before starting treatment. Women may stop having periods (amenorrhoea). This may only be temporary.

Important points to remember

The side effects above may be mild or more severe. A side effect may get better or worse through your course of treatment, or more side effects may develop as the course goes on. This depends on

• How many times you've had the drug before
• Your general health
• The amount of the drug you have (the dose)
• Other drugs you are having

Some side effects are inconvenient or upsetting but not damaging to your health.
Some side effects are serious medical conditions and need treating. Where we have urged you to contact your doctor, this is because

• Your side effect may need treating
• Your drug dose may need reducing to try to prevent the side effect

Tell your doctor about any other medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbal supplements and other over the counter remedies - some drugs can react together.
Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse about all your side effects so that they can help you manage them. Your chemotherapy nurse, clinic or ward nurse will have given you a contact number. You can ring if you have any questions or problems. They can give you advice or reassure you. If in doubt, call them.

Source taken from: Cancer research UK at URL : Cancer Research UK 

 

Picnic with the Kiarong staff

This is the first time in year 2010.. I went to Beach... I was avoiding sunlight for most of my time since I 've been diagnosed with Malignant melanoma end of last year (2009). This picnic and outing was organized by lots of staff from Kiarong and also Occupational Therapy. I was happy during that time. Occupational Therapy organized few games and divide the patient into few group and supervised by the doctors and Nursing staff... This is the photos from the outing...

Day before the picnic, I am exciting yet bit anxious also... I know I shouldn't expose much to the sun but i know I can't  avoid the sun forever. I put on the Sunblock with SPF 130+ .. and went to the picnic. The food was nice and look 'yummy' but still I can't eat all the food. I ate only the Fried Meehoon and drink the water prepared by the staff. We reached there around 9 30 am and back to ward at 2 pm...

 

During the College time, I had a group of closed friends make up of 10 person (include me)... This is one of them.. Sea De....

 

Mental Health and Mental Illness

Some people may confuse different between Mental Health and Mental illness. While browsing through the net, I found this. This powerpoint is belongs to Dr Stan Kutcher, from Sun Life Financial Chair in Adolescent Mental Health at IWK Health Centre. Main website: CLICK HERE

Teenmentalhealth.org is dedicated to helping improve the mental health of youth by the effective translation and transfer of scientific knowledge.

 For those who wants to view more news and information of Mental Health in Brunei, I found an interesting blog at : Mental Health Brunei