I started noticing that there were occasional traces of blood in my stool. Initially, I thought it was just hemorrhoids and that the symptoms were not serious. It was only a few months later in October 2015 that I went to seek medical attention and eventually learnt that I had stage 2 rectal carcinoid.

I had been hospitalized for hemorrhoids two years before I was first diagnosed with cancer so I wasn’t nervous at first and thought it was just another hemorrhoid flare-up. However, I was surprised and fearful when I learnt that it was cancer.

I took my doctor’s recommendation into consideration and opted for proctocolectomy (removal of colon and rectum), chemotherapy and radiation therapy. I was a bit scared at first but after a series of medical accidents, I felt angry. I hope that doctors will analyze things more thoroughly and explain them clearly to the patient. My treatment started with surgery, during which part of my rectum was surgically removed and my small intestine was brought outside my body (directly translated from Mandarin to English). I had a total of 3 surgeries over a period of 13 months. Following my surgery, I had a stool bag temporarily attached to my body. I was somewhat affected by it as I was afraid of smells, worried about leakage, scared that the attachment would dislodge and concerned about the visibility of the attachment to others. This caused me to have lower self-esteem and reduced physical intimacy. Afterwards, I started taking chemotherapy medication. I had 4 rounds of chemotherapy over 6 months and also underwent 21 sessions of radiation therapy over about 28 days. Eventually, I was declared cancer-free in September 2022.

In terms of financing my treatment, my treatment is subsidized and I am also covered by insurance.

I haven’t made any specific plans. I just take it day by day. No one knows what the future holds so I just focus on enjoying my work and life.

I continued working as a cashier even after I was diagnosed with cancer because I needed the income to support myself and my loved ones.

The cancer diagnosis brought significant challenges to me in terms of my day-to-day life but I try not to overthink it. Life and work still has to go on. I try to do more of what I enjoy in my free time and maintain a peace of mind.

Surviving cancer brings about its own set of challenges, such as:

• Emotional or psychological impact of having had cancer
• Physical side effects
• Ongoing medical care or check-ups
• Financial or employment challenges
• Fear of recurrence

Because I have a family, the support from my husband and children and the sense of responsibility towards them gives me the strength to overcome all the difficulties. I do my best to cooperate with the doctor’s treatment plan and make every effort to cope.

My cancer journey was marked by fears of recurrence, undergoing treatment and not being able to continue with normal life or activities. I try to manage them by focusing on physical recovery and staying active.

Today, I feel neutral. After a series of hospitalizations and surgeries, I now face it with a calm and accepting mindset.

Eat more vegetables and fruits. I don’t have much advice but I started eating more healthily and exercising every day. You can go online and learn more about the type of cancer you have from various sources. With today’s advanced technology, a lot of information can be verified online. At the same time, ask your doctor more questions to understand better. If you’re sick, seek treatment early. Don’t delay. Face your condition honestly, cooperate with the doctor’s treatment and don’t give up. There’s hope for tomorrow.