Discovery of my illiness

Many friends and relatives had shown concern about my health. I was very touch by their gesture. Basically to recap what happen to me from mid dec 07 till now.

Mid Dec 07 :
It started with a cough. I had been coughing for 1 month plus and still no signs of recovery. My GP noticed i was pale and ask if i had irregular menses. I tell her i did had heavy menses. She touch my tummy and feel a bulge. She suspect i had a fibroid and refer me to KKH.

Before i went to KKH, i consult a private gynae. Ultrasound shows i got a huge fibroid of approx 10cm or more. Some blood test was done and it shows my platelet count is 1600+ and HB is 4.3. Private gynae immediately ask me to be admit to hospital. But thinking of the medical fee, i reject him.

Few days later, i visit the KKH gynae. On that very day i was admitted to KKH. Was given 2 packets of blood. More blood test and ultrasound was taken. On the 3rd day, gynae inform me the HB had improved to 9+ but platelet count is still above 1500+. I was discharge and refer to SGH to consult a Haematologist. Gynae say i need to stablise my blood condition before i proceed with the fibroid removal surgery.

End Dec 07
I was again admitted to SGH upon my first day consulation to Haematologist. Following, more test like blood, CT scan, bone marrow, X-ray was performed. It was confirmed i had CML (Chronic Myeloid Leukemia). The haematologist informed me there is a recent medical trial test that i can join. It will help me to save my medical fees. But the medicine can only be take after i had my fibroid removed.

I go back to my gynae in KKH. She advised me to have operation in SGH as KKH don't have facilities for leukemia patients. I was recommended to SGH gynae.

15 Jan 08
This is my day of surgery. I had a myomectomy. My fibroid measures 18cm. More like a size of a small coconut. I stay in the hospital for 2 weeks. It was a painful experience. I still remember the first day, i had to keep injecting the pain killer to ease my pain. The 2nd day, i was forced to get out of my bed with my urine bag attached to me. Subsecquently, my wound get worse, i got blood clot due to my high platete count. Doc and nurses had to squeeze my wound to get the blood clot out. 2 weeks later, when i was discharged, i had a huge gapping wound which i need to see my GP regulary for wound washing.

On the fourth week of my surgery, i went back to SGH gynae, he perform a stich to close up my gaping wound. On the fifth week (CNY eve), i went back SGH to remove my stiches.

Everything went well smoothly after that. I started my trial medicine Dasatinib on 13 Mar 08 with a few side effects, joint aching, body ache. I'll be going back to see the haemo doc again next week.