FEISTY, GUTSY, BUT STILL FIGHTING FOR HER LIFE.

Yesterday, 8 July, I met 21 year-old Yvonne Foong at the MIC Putera Bloggers Buff. I went there primarily to support young Bloggers. It was there that I chanced upon and bought her book "I'm Not Sick, Just A Bit Unwell". I heard her speak in her frail voice about her illness; got her to autograph her book; took a photo with her....and came away ashamed of myself....ashamed that, though healthy, I still grumble about the weather, the haze, the traffic; ashamed that I still get irritated by little things; ashamed that I take so many things for granted; ashamed that I do not spend enough time learning from the disadvantaged; disgustingly ashamed about fussing about little discomforts; shamefully ashamed that I should do more listening when people like Yvonne have lost her hearing because of the multiple tumours that grow on her nerves.

Let's get her to tell about herself:

At age 16, I was diagnosed with a rare and incurable genetic disorder called Neurofibromatosis (NF) Type 2, that causes tumors to grow in my brain, spine, and along peripheral nerves. To date, i have undergone four major surgeries, locally and abroad, the first on 16 August 2002 at GH when I was 16 years old, to remove some tumors in my brain and spine.My second was done free courtesy of Dr. Rick A Friedman in Los Angeles.

The most recent surgery was done on 25th October 2006 in Los Angeles. Through tireless fund raising efforts in exactly a year, Heart4Hope managed to raise approximately RM230,000.00 for the removal of an Acoustic Neuroma and the purchase of an Auditory Brainstem Implant to assist hearing.

The money was raised with the collective effort of some relatives, friends, and kind members of the public, who came forth to assist me physically and financially. Although the money raised is used for my medical treatments, I believe HEART4HOPE is not just about me, but about everyone who shares my belief in hope.

Living with NF has taught me to be far-sighted and ready to face sudden changes in life. NF is not only a physical illness, it also proved to be a financial burden, especially when one does not take practical measures.

Yvonne continues:

I’ve been thinking about this very large tumor growing in my frontal lobe of the brain. Actually I have many tumors in the frontal lobe, one above the acoustic complex, some extending into the temporal bone, into the orbit, jagular bulb, oh my god i easily have more than 10 brain tumors all over. I can’t even count, try as I might! Next time I see the radiologist, remind me to salute him.

Okay complains aside. What I’m trying to say is, I am concerned about the biggest tumour in my frontal lobe. I had just sent an e-mail to Dr. Schwartz, asking whether we should remove it, and not wait till it turns malignant. I don’t want to rush and risk having complications. If the tumor turns malignant, the cells might invade surrounding tissues and cause brain damage.

Let’s see what Dr. Schwartz says. I’ve been considering this for so long. But today, it feels more urgent than usual.

I wonder if my Medulla Oblongata is becoming weaker. Because I easily feel cold, and just as easily perspire. I try to avoid trembling, because when it happens, my brainstem vibrates as if it is threatening to move out of place. I also wonder if any tumors are growing in the hypothalamus, because sometimes I sense my hunger rate is odd. Not to mention, I need to sleep longer hours than a healthy adult would.

Yvonne blogs extensively at http://www.yvonnefoong.com. Her blog banner reads: Fight for Tomorrow. Things I read in her blog yesterday jolted me. Her friend Keishaks who is also afflicted with NS says: The human spirit is never defeated until it surrenders. Her friend and publisher/editor John Ling told her before coming to Bloggers Buff: the crowd size does not matter. Even if only one person came, and benefits from meeting you, that one person matters.

YVONNE, IT MATTERED TO ME. YOU TOUCHED MY LIFE AND I WANT TO BE A BETTER PERSON.

Make time to visit her blog. You may come away enriched.