The Lion reached a cross road in the tunnel. It was too dark where either one will lead to. Left or right? Either one appears to lead to nowhere. The Lion just took the one on the right based on gut feel and move on ……. hoping ……
The Doctor walked passed me and told me that he has seen the scan results: both showed negative. In other words, the cancer cells were localised within the tumour and there are no signs of spread to the bones or other organs. Looks like it’s the best scenario among the worst. I took a deep breath and let go a sigh of relieve. Yes, I have cancer, but I will still live. Suddenly, I have more appreciation just to breathe. For the next 30 mins or so, it was the discussion of how the surgery will go, how big the wound be, what will be taken out, what will be put in, etc. I wanted to have the surgery as soon as possible and the nearest tentative date is 10th Aug 10, a day after National Day. If this date is confirmed, it shall be my 2nd birthday.
I woke up in the afternoon of 10th Aug, the surgery was over. I could feel the extreme pain on my left abdomen. While my head was still spinning, I can hear the nurse giving me instructions on to inject morphine into my blood stream by pressing a hand-held button to ease the pain. I pressed, many times. The pain was unbearable but I lived. I fell asleep.
The next time I woke up, I was already in the Intensive Care Unit with my wife standing beside me and I can vaguely hear the Doctor said that the surgery was a success. I looked on my right and saw the blue sky through the window. It was clear without the clouds. I told my wife to pass my 1st book to the Doctor and fell asleep again.
For the next few days, I refused to have any visitors other than my relatives. I needed to rest badly. Looking my 20cm wound on my abdomen, it’s a good reminder that I live one more time. My mother didn’t made it. Dr Randy Paush did not made it. I was as lucky as Steve Jobs who previously survived pancreatic cancer. I got to know a few patients who have similar problems. There was this man, John, who is undergoing dialysis and a malignant tumour was also found in one of his kidney. Before he went for his surgery, I passed him my newly bought book, ‘The Last Lecture’ with the intention of keeping him positive. I wrote on a blank page ‘Wish You Health, Health and Health’. That is what we all need.
As I am writing this Blog now, I am still suffering from pain from the wound and I have problem walking and sleeping. No matter how much physical pain that I have now, nothing beats the pain of leaving this world and leaving your love ones behind.
Well, I still will be running my Free NLP Workshop starting next Thursday (2nd Sep). Let me share with you how you make your dreams come true despite adversities.
I may not be able to jump around like I used to but I can still stand and talk knowing that I am on the road to recovery. Meet me next Thursday and I shall inspire you to reach out for your dreams.
Looking forward to running my Value Investing Programme, NLP Practitioner and Master NLP Practitioner Programme starting next month. Of course, nothing is as good as spending time with your love ones and friends.
There was a glimpse of light right at the end. The Lion made a slow dash towards it. It was a dim light but at least there was light. The Lion dragged its tired body moving forward …… and forward …. and forward. The light became brighter and brighter and suddenly, there was a gush of cool fresh air onto whole body of the Lion. It stood outside the tunnel right now, with a worn out and badly injured body, looked up to the sky and roar loudly …………. once again.
Cayden Chang
Founder & Director
BSc(Hons), MSc
Lifelong Learner Award 2008 Honouree
Co-author, “Do You Have What It Takes To Be BOSS?”