sINgapore: A Healing Journey

Dear You, Yes You,

It has been so long since I have last posted! I have taken a break from the blogging world in order to focus on the many other emotional aspects of moving to this new country. It has been a crazy ride so far, with many ups and downs (mostly downs) and until recently, I was pretty sure I was going to move back to Canada.

The good news is that although I love Canada, I have most recently really been enjoying Singapore and my job. Actually, I am pretty sure I am in love with both. Six months in and I have finally started to settle into this new journey. I have joined yoga classes, signed up for a painting class, joined a meditation class, and started running - so many awesome things. Life has been cruising pretty good since January.

The outer ring is where the plastic surgeon
removed the skin to be sure all the cancer
is removed.

In January, I had a worry with a mole on my back. I went to have it looked at on January 30th, by Dr. Nisha (who is a fireball, awesome, amazing dermatologist here in Singapore at the National University Hospital) who immediately sent me "upstairs" to have it biopsied that night. One week later - February 6th, she called me with the bad news, turns out it is malignant melanoma, and spreadable. Skin cancer - and not the good kind (if there is a "good" kind).

On February 9th - Monday I was in to see the plastic surgeon who scheduled me for a PET scan for Wednesday. She said there is a chance the cancer has spread throughout my body due to the poor location of the mole. Because it is in the middle of my back, she said it could have spread to any of the lymph nodes throughout my body. A PET scan will show if it has spread, or if there is anything else to be worried about. The plastic surgeon, by the way, who is also unbelievable and amazing - made some phone calls to be sure we would get the results Wednesday afternoon (the same day I went in for the scan) since she had me scheduled for surgery Thursday morning - only 7 days after being diagnosed. If the results were good - continue with surgery, if not other plans would need to be made.

* The person who did the PET scan happens to be from Toronto - and he has been fishing on Manitoulin Island. What are the chances?!

Mail from Jessica while I was in the hospital.
Things always come at the perfect time.

On February 11th - at three in the afternoon I came in to hear my results from the PET scan. Good news and bad news. The cancer didn't spread. Thank goodness. Thank goodness. Thank goodness. However, I have a cyst on the only ovary I have left that is over 7cm. in size - and worrisome (the cyst actually ended up being over 10cm. when they removed it laparoscopically - three hours and one small incision). Surgery is needed to remove the cyst. By 6pm that night I had seen the gynaecologist who specializes in laparoscopic surgeries (a less invasive surgery than my previous one which was a C-section), had two ultrasounds, briefed on what the surgery would entail, and was scheduled for two surgeries the next day.

During this time - I cannot tell you how much love and support I felt from around the world. The school I teach at, The Canadian International School - has been such a supportive employer. Between The Banff Centre, and CIS - I have worked at places that when hard situations hit your life, they are there for you 150%. Dealing with insurance, missing classes, informing parents, students, and giving me peace of mind so I can focus on healing, I was once again reminded of the importance of having an employer who cares about its employees and puts their health and well being first and foremost. I will never work for an organization who does not treat its employees as family. You never know when something will happen where you need the support and understanding of your workplace.

A very good friend of mine, Amber was on vacation in Vietnam when I found out the news. She booked a flight to Singapore to be my "nurse" for the week and to help take care of me. Friends from work dropped by to bring movies, sushi, love and support - family and friends from all over the world sending messages of love and support, it was overwhelming and beautiful. I am one lucky individual and am grateful to each and every single one of you.

So - back to the story. I went into surgery, Thursday, February 12th - and everything went well. A two night stay in the hospital - feeling like I may have been hit by a bus - and then home by Valentines day. I had my "Nurse Amber" to take care of me, grocery shop, make dinner, support, send emails, make phone calls when I couldn't - so much love for this woman.

This is a sponge which sucks up "stuff" through
a hose into a little case. It works 24 hours a day and I
carry it with me. It needs to be charged, and be sure it
is working at all times.

Dr. Nisha stopped by my hospital room, (my dermatologist who started this whole process) and it was pretty amazing that only 14 days previous she took initiative, and here I am now, fingers crossed, cancer free. I am so grateful for Singapore and it's healthcare system, my insurance, my school, my friends and family, the doctors, the nurses, the admin, the list goes on and on and on. Everything has went exactly as it should, and so far with the best possible care I could have asked for.

I head back into the hospital today - to have my sponges changed, bandages changed and hopefully no infection has set in. By Wednesday, the final test results will be back, and I will hopefully know for almost sure, that I am in good health. What a journey this has been, and my body is quite an amazing machine, healing like nobody's business.

Drug Factory!

Thank-you to each and every one of you. Your love, prayers and support have been so beautiful and needed in this healing process. I am thankful for each and every single person who has made this possible to be the easiest healing process it can be. I hope I do not have to see another hospital room for a long time.

Sending big love out there to every one of you. xoxxo

*UPDATE: The other night my machine that I am attached to malfunctioned. 4am alarm going off, saying that there is a leak. My first worry is that the sponge is going to deflate, and my whole skin graft falls off, and we are back at square one. Off to emergency with Amber we go, they taped up the leak, but couldn't do much more. At 8:30am we head to see my plastic surgeon to be sure everything is in tact. Silver lining, she had my test results, They got ALL THE CANCER!!! Oh, and the tape job was fine, and sponge still intact. I go in today to have the vacuum removed - one more step forward.