Profiling myself
[20 Feb 2008, 12:07:10 PM] A few years ago when I first saw Prof Tay, he lamented that till today doctors couldn't put an exact profile on cancer patients. Whilst it is easy to do a profile on heavy smokers/drinkers, people with genetic and family history, people with unhealthy eating habits etc, it is very perplexing why some others contract unrelated dreadful illnesses. Take for example "Shuai Ge"'s late sis-in-law's sister a non-smoker with lung cancer and with no second-hand smoke environment. Nobody has the answers. It takes me awhile before deciding on this entry. If you have been following my blog since two years ago, it wouldn't be hard to know some of my eating habits.
Eversince I read my brother's health education textbook in primary school eons ago, I have been interested in diet and nutrition and health related issues. In my years where internet access was unheard of and borrowing from a library wasn't so easily accessible (perhaps because I was too young to know of such an option, plus books of such topics weren't so popular), I acquired and accumulated my knowledge from whatever print media I read (aka Chinese newspapers and magazines). I don't just read for head knowledge. I believe I have a bland tongue which explains my little tolerance for salty and oily food. I practise what I know.
Since young, I love eating vegetables and fruits. Before I was sick, there was an unwritten rule that I only cooked fried food once a week, had fast food only once a month or on special occasions, canned food (eg luncheon meat) occasionally and I didn't stock up on frozen food. I read food labels like a hawk. I spent more on vegetables and fruits than on meat stuff. My cooking methods were varied since I only fried food once a week. The food I love to eat are what most say highly beneficial and with anti-cancer properties. My friends used to tease me whenever I had laksa/curry sans the gravy or soupy noodles minus the soup (because it was laden with msg). There is a joke in the house because whenever my mum cooks soup for me, she has to specify it is all natural ingredients with no added msg. I relied more on condiments and stuff without compromising on the tastes. I think you know what I mean.
I treasure my organs which are hard at work for me. I used to drink a cup (sometimes two) of plain water in the morning before breakfast. When lemons were the "in" thing, I added the juice of one green seedless lemon (ya, the expensive and at one stage hard to get type) to my water. (Anyway, I love lemons which I often used in my cooking.) It helps to cleanse organs and flush toxins out (not that I had many at that time). Whenever I had headaches, I didn't pop in painkillers. My remedies were found in my pantry. I used to take panadols when I was plagued with migraines in jc and while working. After I learnt that the liver has to work hard to rid it, I sought alternative remedies. I found rubbing ginger on my temples and at the back of my neck ease the tension and pain. My friends would tell you how I hate to pop in painkillers, even till today. "Shuai Ge" oftentimes had to persuade me to take tablets whenever I was in some kind of pain or suffering from nausea or gastric pains. I super scared of taxing my liver and kidneys.
Some people attribute stress as a major factor in contracting cancers. I would like to think mine has nothing much to do with diet. Although I have no answers, I do know my immune system is down. What I am currently doing is to boost it up (hopefully) and gives me a fighting chance against this illness. I am not against any form of profiling oneself. Infact the books I read have a checklist for such a profile to determine the possibility of one getting the illness. Some hospitals have a screening/profiling test. I guess prevention is better than cure and have read some people undertake steps to minimize their chances of getting it.
Knowledge is important pertaining to your illness and body. It's difficult to sell me any health supplements or products because I am always suspicious and cautious. Moreover, when you are sick, you can get quite desperate to be cured (don't let others capitalise on that). I believe what work for others may not be effective for me. And for every product there is bound to be (at least) a successful story/case.
While I am now trying to increase my immunity, I hope too my current drug regime works to control my tumours. And staying cheerful and positive helps. "A cheerful heart is good medicine." Proverbs 17:22
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