13 with skin cancer
23-year-old skin cancer survivor Mr Goh Chang Teck, had brushes with the disease since a young age of 13. We ask him how he felt upon hearing the diagnosis, and the things he is able to enjoy today as a result of winning the battle against cancer.
- When were you diagnosed and at what age?
As a Primary 5 student in 2005, strange sores and eruptions appeared all over my body, but I thought they were normal. It wasn’t until 2 years later at the age of 13 that I was diagnosed with Mycosis Fungoides and Pityriasis Lichenoides – both are forms of skin cancers that affects the lymph nodes. Over time, the sores and developed into fungus-like clusters of dried, reddish and scaly skin. These appeared mostly on my legs, coupled with white spots that appeared on my upper body.
Nevertheless, life carried on and I was thankful to be able to do everything normally, like everyone my age. But in 2013, two months prior to enlisting in the army, I was re-diagnosed with the above mentioned conditions. This time, however, I had progressed from Stage 1 to Stage 2A.
- What was your first reaction when you were told that you had cancer?
When the doctors finally broke the news that I was indeed suffering from cancer, my first reaction was: “Why me of all people?” I was lost, disgusted, disappointed, and guilty.
Lost because everything I planned before graduating from polytechnic had all gone down the drain. Disgusted because I couldn’t take it in my stride my body looked and felt this way. Disappointed because I wouldn’t be able to serve National Service, and be judged by people around me for not having done so. And finally, guilty, because I had to be another burden to my parents when I could have signed on upon enlisting in the army.
But all was not lost, because I had hope. I found strength in my family and close friends, who constantly gave words of encouragement and physical and emotional support during moments when I felt the treatments weren’t working out well. You get a heightened sense of gratefulness when you realise the extent that some people would go to just to see you happy and strong!
- What are the things you are able to do now as a result for winning the battle against cancer?
I wouldn’t say that I have won the battle against cancer because I am simply fighting a battle in which I am stronger. I’m taking every opportunity to make sure that I have a constant advantage over my worst enemy, such as my friends and family. On that note, I’m still doing the things that I love to do, such as running. But more importantly, I am able to spend time with my loved ones!
- Can you share anything about donating to the Run For Hope cause?
I think about donations the same way you think about sharing good things like delicious snacks and lobangs! I believe that if you are able to spend two hours walking around shopping malls to shop for the latest deals, you can similarly challenge yourself with a new fitness goal by starting out with a 10km run-walk at Run For Hope 2017 while contributing to cancer research!
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Chang Teck will be participating in Run For Hope 2017. Join him and thousands of other survivors to raise awareness and support for cancer research at http://tinyurl.com/zn6kqyd.
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