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Hello! I'm Leonie. I’m from Malaysia. I am nineteen this year, and I have Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma - a kind of blood cancer. I’m just trying to live my life to the fullest, without any regrets. I'm grateful that I’m still able to wake up to a brand new day and know that I'm still alive.

I refuse to refer to my condition as a disease. I would rather phrase it as a 'series of unfortunate events'.

I learn something new with each passing day. This is the story of my journey, and you're welcome to follow me in every step that I take.

If you would like to learn more about me and my condition, feel free to click on the navigations below. If you have any queries or would just like to say hello, drop me an e-mail at dancingpapercranes@live.com.my and I'll try to respond as soon as possible!

Cheers!




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22:38
Sunday 22 August 2010
decisions decisions.

If there's something I really regret, it's the fact that I didn't open this blog right away on the 5th of July.

Why the 5th of July, of all dates?

Well, that particular day is the day when it all started.

I was so caught up in going for X-rays, scans, and seeking different specialists' opinions on my then not known condition, I never really had the idea of opening a cancer blog. Of course, maybe I can't fully be blamed for that.

Then, I have no idea that I have cancer. It never struck me that I'll get cancer at seventeen. I was just praying and hoping that my tumour does not consist of cancerous cells. Who knows? It could be just random lumps of body cells that won't cause me any harm. You may say that's merely wishful thinking on my part, but I'd always thought I am a fairly healthy person. Sure, I just fell sick more often than I really should for the past two years. But I do keep to a healthy lifestyle.

I frequently exercise. I do sports. I used to be good at sports like running, high jump and long jump. I said I used to be good because apparently, I can't seem to excel at these sports anymore, maybe with the exception of running. I did well for my recent fitness evaluation that was conducted in school. I don't take fizzy drinks except for isotonic ones. For example, I have not drank Coke, Pepsi and any other fizzy drinks with colouring since years ago.

I include a lot of vegetables and fruits in my diet. When we eat out, my parents will request for less salt and oil to be added in the cooking. My mother, of course, adds a very little amount of salt and oil to her dishes. My family is already used to such food. I rarely consume fast food as well.

Maybe that's why a lot of people were shocked when they found out I have cancer at this age. I myself was shocked too, at first.

In a society where cancer is becoming rampant among individuals, regardless of age, colour, social background, and lifestyle - we really need to become more health-conscious. I don't mean health freaks or people who are obsessed with health all the time. But it's really important to take note of your health and adopt a healthy lifestyle.

I don't mean to sound like I'm writing a typical essay about healthy lifestyles for school. Neither do I want to sound like I'm lecturing my readers about what they should do with their lives. I also don't want to sound corny and typical, and use proverbs like 'health is wealth'. You have no idea how much that proverb is true though.

If you don't have a healthy body and mind, won't you be spending a lot on medication, whether it's long-term or short-term?

Even if you can afford the medical fees,
is being sick worth the pain, the suffering and the physical and emotional burden it brings?

Think about it.

Anyway, I will be gradually writing about my experience from the 5th of July onwards in this blog. Hopefully I don't forget any important details. Stay tuned, readers.

Cheers!

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