very much awaited good news!!!!

Guess what? MaxFamily is now a registered society!!!! The letter got to me today and theofficial  registration date was 30th January. After almost 2 years waiting, amending and keep amending the documents for application, we are now a legal society. 

In another word, there s a lot more work to do.....but now I need to go to sleep first because it s late now. Tomorrow. I ll get up with a whole new spirit and enthusiasm.

thank you 14th december 2008

thank you all my friends*, who's willing to spend

spending your time

for kids who will always be in your mind

spending your effort

for something little out from your pocket

spending your smile

for aching both legs after walking more than a mile

spending your heart

for exhaustingly working so hard

spending your loves

and sharing it with us....

*my friends are those contributors, volunteers, ward doctors and staff and all the kids and parent in the ward

it all set!

Some of the books

Hampers, gifts and bags are ready

MaxFamily is visiting Pediatric Ward tomorrow! I felt so happy that the responds from the contributors were huge. We had a 'packing day' last week and now it all set.

We will be in the ward from 9.00am to about lunch time. We have a great project called "Smiling Pillow", a small craft making activity with the patients in the ward, a small idea that I am sure will turn into an exciting and fun thing do togather with the kids later. Apart from that we are bringing clown with his stuff and magic joke and Santa Claus that will surprise them with gifts.

Thanks again to contributors, my friends and volunteers.

Packing day

contributions coming in!

I have started getting contributions from friends and friends' of my friends. I know they are good friends and they really interested to give a hand. I guess everyone would love to take part but sometimes it is the lack of chance that limits them. Anyway, thanks for everyone's interest. Sure I ll put up photos of the visit when everything over.

pediatric ward visit

As like last year, we at MaxFamily are planning to do another charity visit to the Oncology Ward in Pediatric Institute (also place where I am currently working) this coming December. I did not manage to join last year since I was still in the recovery and 'confinement' period after the transplant. I knew the event was quite significant as the kids in the ward were really enjoyed our visit and the gifts that we brought for them.

I started emailing all my friend if they interested to contribute anything as we may want these unfortunate kids to be happy, as happy as we were during our past childhood times.

october workshop came again!

the birthday cake

Wow, today we had another workshop and as usual it was another great meeting for us. In conjunction with Max's birthday on 19th October, we hold a regular meeting and workshop during October every year.

As it always do, this time there were significant numbers of turn out and a third of them were new comers. They really used this workshop to learn more and ask lots of questions during the session with the doctors and I felt so glad they all did.

So guys, see you again in Jan 2009!

meeting my 'old good friend'

I went to the hospital two days ago for my regular follow up apart from getting my final monthly infusion of antibody (IgG). The blood test for CML marker molecule (bcr-abl) result from Singapore that was sent a month ago was also ready for review and I really anxious to know. This result will give me and the doctor an idea what to decide on next. Ideally, traces of CML marker molecule should not be detected after about a year after the transplant. In my case, the last 2 results within a year of my post transplant period was still positive but at the very low value.

So... the result is still positive (it is slightly lower than the previous one). The options (if the blood result still positive) were discussed during last follow up and this time around it was easier for me to understand and just follow the plan, that is to go back and take my 'old good friend' i.e. Glivec again, may be for a couple of year. It was not a hard decision though, since I had used to to it before.

SELAMAT HARI RAYA

Dear all Muslims

SELAMAT HARI RAYA AIDIL FITRI
MAAF ZAHIR BATIN

I do still remember what the feeling was a year ago when I was still in the recovery period when there were still a lot of restrictions. Let me tell you, at this moment when everything seems coming back to your life, you may not remember how hard it was during the difficult times and you may not even remember that you have gone through those days. That's why, always believe that at any time you feel it is so much difficult, there 's a lot more time where everything seems so easy. Always say thanks to Him.

AFTER ONE YEAR

Yesterday was my 'first birthday' since I was transplanted and growing with 'new blood'. It was 18th September 2007 when my brother kindly donated his blood. Looking back to all those days, it was full of emotions and I am glad it was not that bad, at least if I were to see other patients who may have more difficult journey. I would say it was a journey with amazing experience and having said that I always feels that I am always a more fortunate person despite the burden from the transplant and that is how I appreciate the whole thing.

And now after one year, I have got back my 'life'. I have started working and doing my usual stuff (operating and seeing my patients in the clinic- half of them were not realized my 'comeback' and those who did, ask me why I am not as 'white' as before!). I have gradually catched up with my study (I got an exam next year) and started to plan my fellowship attachment now.

I am also getting back on track with the CML support group and I guess there are a lot more to do. People and friends around me always tells me to take it easy and do not stress out. Yes, they were true since my physical and mental may not have reach my previous level, yet. I do always get 'bugs' and it will take a longer time for me to completely recover. But on the other hand, getting back to 'work' make me feel more healthier and lively. At least they see me like what I was before and more 'brightful'.

'down' for a few weeks

I have not been writing for quite sometime because I was not really well for the last few weeks. It took me longer time to recover from common flu and throat infection. Furthermore, I guessed my 'stamina' was also not that at par. I have been travelling a few times past few weeks and I noticed that I was easily exhausted.I took leave from work a few times during that time when it was really 'down' for me.

I managed to join the Hospital Sultanah Aminah, Johor Bahru small meeting with CML patients. Even though it was not like as big as our previous meeting/ workshop, it still means a lot to the patients and they really appreciated our visit.

Among the patients (half has gone back before picture session) with the doctor and us.

I also managed to attend my wife 'big day'.

Finally, selamat berpuasa to all muslims.