I AM BLESSED INDEAD

Now that my mind is not blurred by Xeloda, I can foresee a brighter future ahead for myself. I am not going to let this opportunity slipped out but will plot an effective and holistic approach towards my recovery.

Those who are close to me will know that I am a very determined person.

Once my strategy is set, I will wholeheartedly carry it out to ensure that my goal of conquering cancer is successful and thereafter lead a simple and peaceful life.

Now I have come to the crossroad of my life -  choose life or death. There is no middle path, no in between path. The obvious choice for me is, of course, to choose to live healthily. If that is my choice, I have to fight to win and to win I have to plan and strategize well ahead. To lose means to leave my beloved family with an unaccomplished mission.

I have to remain positive, happy and caring and to try to create a conducive environment for all. I believe I can only be happy if those around me are happy. To accomplish all this and to win my battle against Cancer, I need the Almighty's guidance and strength to lead me. Now I do not fear Cancer. I am indeed blessed by God.

CANCER : EYE OPENER TO ME

Cancer and the subsequent treatments have proved to be an eye opener for me. I begin to see life from different perspectives and angles. I didn't realise that the world outside is so beautiful and life can be beautiful and great. For this, I have to thank my Lord for showing it to me.

Though I have 60% of my stomach removed and are unable to enjoy a hefty meal, nevertheless I can still enjoy all the scrumptious meals but in smaller portions and more frequently.  I also now have the luxury of savouring my meal slowly as I need time to chew my food properly so that it is easily digested.

It has been three days since I stopped taking Xeloda. Things have become rosier as its side effects have also been removed. Now I am looking into other alternative methods to strengthen my body. Apart from having a nourishing and healthy diet, I am also taking up GiQong. With exercise and nutrition I believe I can get rid of the toxic that have accumulated through the many decades of an unhealthy lifestyle that I have embraced. I believe a radical change in lifestyles is a must and a necessity for me if I aspire to have a longer life span. Without God's strength and guidance it will be tough for me to effect a change at this time of my life. I cannot overcome all the adversities that I am now facing without God.

Thank you Lord for having the patience and concern to reveal to me the beauty of life. I understand that You are the living and loving sovereign God who honours Your Words. It is now time for me to appreciate life, to love myself unconditional as well as those close to me, not to be too harsh on myself or others as well as take life lightly and make my life worthy of God.

Thank you God and please help me to be a living example and give me the power to love others unconditional as You love us irrespective of our sins.

On this beautiful morning that God has given us, I started my first lesson on Qigong which basically teaches one on the principles of proper breathing for good health. Steps on inhalation, hold and exhilaration of air to serve as a mean of improving my health and boost my immune system.

LIFE IS AMAZING EXPERIENCE

Life is full of ups and downs, happiness and sorrows, tears as well as joys. I am now able to understand that there is an amazing experience at every turn of the ride.

After stopping the intake of Xeloda, I begin to see rays of light from the end of the tunnel. I felt nauseous when I see food and have no desire to partake it. My memory traveled back to the times when I was a teenager where I was having a great time fishing at the Tanjong Tokong beach with my friends. The simple meal of fried bee hoon with chilies tasted so good. I can recall vividly and can smell the freshness of the little fishes that I had caught and fried for my dinner.  There is no other fish that can taste so good and delicious as those.

Those were the good old days and I regret that I was not able to enjoy them for then I was filled with bitterness and ungratefulness.

I was unhappy with my life then as it was filled with poverty and I aspired to upgrade and improve my life.

During the last four decades, I kept on pushing and pressing myself to achieve the best. Was I being silly for doing that? Have I wasted my life? These are the questions that I keep pondering.

As I traveled down memory lane, I am driven to seek those foods that I was not appreciative of then but now tingle my tastebuds. It is the simple things in life that give us the most pleasure. It is neither the brand nor the exquisite. What matters most is the things that give you the most pleasure and satisfaction. 

Tips From Freedom Financial Network On Building Credit When You Have No Credit History

Tips From Freedom Financial Network On Building Credit When You Have No Credit History

What’s the best way to build a credit history when you are just starting out? This can seem like a chicken and egg problem. To get a loan or credit card, you need a credit history. But to build a credit history, you need to have made payments on financial products such as a loan or credit card.

In this article, Freedom Financial Network is going to share some information that could help you get past these problems and build up your credit history.

Secured Credit Cards

A secured credit card requires you to deposit a small amount (usually a few hundred dollars) with the issuing bank. Once the deposit is complete and the card is approved, you use the card just like a regular credit card. Although, these cards will have lower limits than that of a comparable credit card.

The lower limit is part of the secured card restriction. After some period of use, which might be 6 —12 months, your card can be converted into an unsecured card. The deposit will also be sent back to you once the card has been converted.

If the conversion to an unsecured card isn’t available after a few months of use, you might consider applying for an unsecured card. Check your credit score before applying for an unsecured card. Scores over 600 start getting approved, but Freedom Financial Network says that over 650 might open up more choices and better chances of approval.

Student Credit Cards

Universities will often have credit card companies in the student union or other gathering place on campus. These companies target students with credit cards designed for those who lack a credit history.

Freedom Financial Network points out that student credit cards are unsecured. While it can still be difficult to get a student credit card in the beginning, it isn’t as strict as getting a regular unsecured card.

If you have been making payments on a secured card, that will certainly help your chances of being approved for a student credit card. If the option is available, applying for a student credit card should be your first choice when it comes to unsecured cards.

Getting Ahead As An Authorized User

Owners of credit cards can add other people to the card. This is called an authorized user. This person can use the credit card just like the primary owner. Some credit card companies will allow categorizing charges by user so the primary card holder can see transactions by authorized user.

If your parents, siblings or a friend has a credit card and is willing to add you as an authorized user, you’ll be able to build credit by piggy backing off of their credit history.

Do keep in mind that you can negatively affect their credit. If you run up charges that neither you nor the primary card holder can pay, both of your credit profiles will be negatively affected.

Be sure to set money aside each month to pay on what you owe.

If you’ve gotten ahead of yourself and need help paying down credit card debt, Freedom Financial Network can put together a plan customized for your situation. To get started, visit them at freedomfinancialnetwork.com.

HALF JOURNEY OF MY FIRST COURSE OF CHEMOTHERAPHY

To date, I have completed half of the journey of my first course of chemotherapy. What is worrying is that I am losing my appetite and this has led me to consider seeking other alternative treatments.

My existing treatment is both lengthy as well as a painful.process. However, it is not easy for me to make a decision as to whether to continue chemotherapy or to seek alternative treatments. I hope before my next course of chemotherapy and with God's wisdom and guidance, I can come to a decision. 

At the time of writing, I have just received a call from the daycare in response to my grouse of the unfavorable side effects of Xeloda. As such my oncologist has allowed me to reduce the dose from 3 tablets in the morning and 4 tablets at night to lesser quantities due to the intolerance from my body. I believe this is a good measure for the time being. As an immediate measure, I have decided to stop temporarily until I regain my appetite for the remaining half of my first course. 

Should the side effects persist my oncologist may consider changing my existing medication on my next visit which I have rescheduled to a later date for me to understand better my body. 

I only can walk this path alone -left out this word. I, therefore, have to consider and decide carefully with God's wisdom and guidance my next course of action. Needless to say, I hope to cure my illness so that I have more time to spend with my beloved family. Therefore I pray to God to give me a second chance to live my life and to bring cheers to all especially the unfortunate. It was a blessing for me to accept Christ as my Saviour and through Him I have managed to survive my adversity so far.

Thank you God and please continue to shower your mercy and blessings on me. I will accept whatever He has planned for me for I know He knows best.