Today, I continue on the path to recovery.
In 2004, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy. But within a year, the cancer had metastasized to my liver. A good friend told us about an interview with Dr. Andrew T. Huang, the director of the Koo Foundation Sun Yat-Sen Cancer Center, in Global Views Magazine. Under his philosophy of 'patient-centered care,' the center's team collaboratively strives to provide the best care for patients. After learning this, we decided to seek treatment there.
The doctors, my family, and I work hard together.
During my treatment at KFSYSCC, I felt the warmth and patience of the medical team, including Director Mei-Ching Liu, the various physicians, laboratory technicians, and nurses. Director Liu, in particular, would review the reports and my reactions the day before, and if anything was amiss, she would immediately arrange for the relevant specialists to examine me. My husband and I have thanked Director Liu time and again, but she says, "Our team is very serious, your family is also an important support, and I see that you are very diligent and cooperative in following the treatment. Thus, you have lived happily for more than 10 years with breast cancer metastasis to the liver—it is the result of efforts on all three sides. This is interconnected; you should also be grateful to your family and thank yourself." Truly, I am grateful!
To date, I have experienced three recurrences.
We feel that KFSYSCC is proactive and pays more attention to the latest global medical developments. At the time, the doctor also said to me, "Hang in there! There's a new drug that has been successfully researched in the United States for your type of HER2-positive cancer." Encouraged by the doctor, I underwent three more treatment courses within two years. By my own count, since my initial breast cancer diagnosis in 2004, liver metastasis in 2005, first recurrence in 2006, lymphoma in 2011, bone metastasis in 2019, second recurrence in 2020, and now my third recurrence this year, I have gone through 5 treatment courses, 43 chemotherapy sessions, 42 radiotherapy sessions, and many targeted therapy treatments. I am currently in treatment, so looking back, our decision to travel from Kaohsiung to Taipei for treatment at KFSYSCC was a very wise choice!
Drafting the "Happy Life" Plan
When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer, my three children had not yet settled down. Throughout this journey, my greatest joy is now being the super grandmother to six grandchildren! I am most grateful for the medical staff at Hesing, the care from my husband, my six sons, and daughters-in-law, as well as all the relatives and friends who shared in my joy and sorrow. There are two things that I feel most accomplished about. The first is after my second recurrence, I was left physically weakened after treatment. I went from fearing the break of day, as it meant facing another day of illness and sorrow, to deciding to set up a life plan to cheer up and regain the strength to continue living happily. The second is volunteering. When fellow patients hear my story and are encouraged not to give up on themselves, to bravely and strongly face their illness, I also accompany them on the last mile of their lives. Every time I receive a message of thanks from a patient's family, I feel immense comfort.
Happiness doesn't come on its own; it requires learning and planning.
I’ve wrestled with death twice. In 2005, doctors told me I might have only six months to a year left. In 2020, they estimated about three months. I deeply felt the impermanence of life. Even sick, I must live life, and I made significant changes—like when I need to perk up, I strengthen myself through nutrition, exercise, and mood.
First, I set my alarm for 7:30 AM and start my day with stretching and other exercises right in bed. Then, I prepare a hearty breakfast for myself. After that, I go out to the balcony to water the plants, tend the vegetables, and soak up some sun while sweating a bit. I also wear a back support and knee pads, taking a cane in one hand and pulling a grocery cart with the other to buy groceries. Cooking dishes I enjoy makes my appetite better. Before sleeping, I do another round of exercises. As for adjusting my mood, it's about 'living in the moment' as we often say, as if having a happier day today means I've achieved it. In reality, happiness doesn't usually come on its own; it needs to be learned and planned. For instance, asking my children to come home for a meal, traveling with siblings and friends, arranging to play mahjong with buddies where we can chat and laugh—and naturally, we'll take the chance to gossip about the husbands too! This gives an outlet for emotions, and oh, how happy it makes me! We try our best not to let illness be an excuse to distance ourselves from happiness.
Hosting "The Feast of Death"
Before the pandemic, I would often invite six fellow patients to my home for a meal. My dining table had a magic about it – everyone found healing not just in each other's company, but also in the dishes I prepared, which were delicious and comforting for the stomach. Everyone would open their hearts and speak freely. Once, we dubbed the gathering 'The Feast of Death'. Some shed tears, others laughed out loud, but it was a truly joyous occasion. That's one of the joys I've planned and received.
Balanced nutrition, consistent exercise, and maintaining a cheerful disposition are all important, but not something you can do on a whim. You can't just eat three extra spoonfuls of food, have five meals a day, exercise a little more, or plan more happy events. I went from a mere 39 kilograms during my treatment to eating five meals a day and reaching 49 kilograms; that 10-kilogram journey was accomplished in just three months.
Dr. Mei-Ching Liu said: "You are my miracle patient."
My family and I are profoundly grateful to Koo Foundation Sun Yat-Sen Cancer Center, Dr. Mei-Ching Liu, Dr. Huang, Dr. Chi-Feng Chung, Dr. Lun-Wei Chiou, Dr. Yeong-Yuh Juang from the Psychosomatic Medicine Department, Dr. Lin-Chih Wuang from Orthopedics, and many nurses like Mei-Chih, Li-Yun, Shu-Min, Pei-Yu, Hsiu-Chun, and others – our gratitude is endless.
Dr. Liu passed away on September 27, 2020, and on September 29, I was seen by Dr. Chi-Feng Chung. He asked me, "Do you know about Dr. Liu's passing?" I couldn't help but cover my face and weep, unable to accept the reality... It was like an old friend left without any warning, and it truly felt like a knife to the heart. But I had to continue my treatment and stay in the hospital. I couldn't attend Dr. Liu's funeral, so my husband and eldest son went in my stead. I will always remember what she said to me, "You are my miracle patient! You must live well!" I will forever be grateful and remember her.
Believe in the hospital and doctors you choose
I believe it's important to trust in the hospital and doctors you've chosen for your treatment and to confidently entrust your body to them. The Koo Foundation Sun Yat-Sen Cancer Center with its professional medical team, meticulous and heartfelt patient care, adopts a 'holistic', 'end-to-end', 'all-around' approach to medical care. The service during hospitalization can be described as refined, safe, and thorough. I don't think every hospital can achieve this.
Words of Encouragement for Friends Undergoing Treatment
I'd like to share four passages that have been incredibly helpful to me with friends who are undergoing treatment:
There's a book titled "Being Sick is a Summer Vacation from Life". It wasn't until I read this book that I realized I had been tirelessly bustling through life without taking a break or listening to my inner voice. I discovered that I often feel timid, not strong, but I allow myself to cry it out. Tears bring clarity to the eyes, making the passage of time more visible.
I often converse with my cancer cells, saying, "I don't want to fight you! Can't we coexist peacefully? Otherwise, if I go through chemotherapy, we'll both suffer! If I die, you can't survive either!" Sometimes they befriend me, and I can avoid taking cancer medications. Other times they become capricious, and I must seek treatment. We have been entangled in this way since 2004, for 19 years now!
There's a saying, "If the flower blooms, the butterfly comes; if a person is splendid, fate will align." It turns out that the brilliance of life is not giving up because that leads to endless possibilities. While we entrust our bodies to doctors and to God, we must also maintain a healthy mind and exert our own efforts - Heaven helps those who help themselves. I often think: If I can live until today, it must be due to the collective support and well-wishes of many benefactors and friends.
My personal motto is - Live joyfully every single today! My favorite saying is - If you put your heart into it, winning or losing, both outcomes are spectacular! The phrase I often use to encourage myself is - Today, I continue on the path to recovery!
I am thrilled to have fulfilled the promise I made with Dr. Liu.
I often think that being ill is like a gift; it forces us to pause and seek a doctor's help to unwrap this gift together, to observe, adjust, and treat our bodies and minds, enabling us to live our lives with a sense of cherishment and gratitude!
After retiring, I became a volunteer and, along with my sisters, went to encourage patients. Once during a follow-up visit, I talked about this with Director Liu, who said, "Mei-Ching! You have been with our KFSYSCC for over a decade now, and it's time for you to give something back to our patients!" I replied, "Absolutely! Of course!" So, today, I am delighted to have kept my promise to Dr. Liu.
Aspiring to become a doctor that gives patients peace of mind.
Medical student at China Medical University / Chang Chia-Jung
This interview truly brought me a lot of insight. Aunt Mei-Ching's optimism, cheerfulness, and discipline are highly admirable and bring a great deal of positive energy. What struck me the most was her saying, "Being sick is like having a summer break, but with very tough summer homework," and "Happiness is something you have to plan for yourself." This is not only applicable to patients but to everyone since life is full of ups and downs. How we view and coexist with these challenges is something that requires practice, so Aunt Mei-Ching's words are truly an incredible source of encouragement for all. Additionally, Aunt Mei-Ching also touched on our education as medical students, suggesting that in addition to medical expertise, we should also focus on holistic care and humanistic concern. This is also what made her feel so cared for and safe with Hesin, and I aspire to become a doctor who can give such reassurance to patients.