KKM, Myanmar

How did it start?

All my life I was a healthy person. After retirement, I enjoyed life to the hilt, traveling around the world. To cut a painful story short, my saga took place during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Thus, I had no contact with my doctor. I was losing weight, had a loss of appetite, and at times experienced loose motion.

The discharge was happening, off and on, slowly becoming yellow, pinkish, and then red. And then, I was seen by an Ob-Gyn specialist and diagnosed with Ovarian cancer, stage 3B.

What was the biggest challenge(s) in your experience with cancer?

At that time, I felt so alone but was not afraid or depressed, and the biggest challenge for me was to rewrite my will. Was I afraid to die? NO. I wasn't. Luckily, I had lived well and had done a lot of interesting things in my career. I don't want to leave this beautiful world YET. I do not despair or lose faith. I just live day by day, following the instructions of my doctors closely.

What helped you most?

My operation took place on a cold December day. When I regained consciousness, I was greeted by my surgeon saying,

"You are very lucky; you are very strong." I realized then that I was still alive and my opera-

tion was successful. I am a religious person by nature, and I carried on doing my routine prayers, continuing to meditate daily.

What was your experience of the healthcare system?

During my illness and post-op treatment of six rounds of chemotherapy, the staff were so professional, exceptionally kind, and treated the patients with full empathy. It gives the patients a much-needed booster dose of TLC (tender, loving care), and I especially appreciated it as a single person going through the scariest times of one's life during a pandemic.

What is your message of hope or words of advice?

My advice to cancer patients: Do not despair, do not lose hope. Do not be angry. Do not be depressed. Be positive and try to send metta (loving-kindness) to all, starting with the people looking after you. You will find inner peace, sooner or later. Whatever happens will happen, but one can change the path or buy time if one believes in oneself by listening to advice from your medical team and trying to find inner peace.

This story was published with the consent of Shwe Young Hnin Si Cancer Foundation, Myanmar.

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