
Sheer grit helps breast cancer survivor overcome post-treatment challenges
In 2017, Tina Wong started documenting her breast cancer journey on Instagram (@only.pink.now). The very first post was a medical drawing of her chest, with indications of an 8x5 lump in the right breast.
“They claimed it was benign and didn’t commission a check. [It turned] out to be malignant!” reads the caption, which ends with a frustrated face emoji.
Just six months ago, Tina had a routine mammogram and ultrasound, at the advice of her gynaecologist. The ultrasound revealed a lump which the radiologist dismissed as benign. She was simply told to go for a follow-up mammogram six months later.
She heeded this but, on the advice of a friend, asked a breast specialist to evaluate the results of her second mammogram.
Her decision was pivotal. The breast specialist advised removing the lump and in the process, discovered Tina had Stage 2B breast cancer. Tina was stunned at how her lump had grown by 4cm within just six months from the initial mammogram.
“If I had gone to see a breast specialist from the start, I may have removed [the lump] six months earlier… I wouldn't be subject to so much more now,” she reflects.
Taking Ownership of Her Health
Perhaps it was this early encounter that shaped Tina’s approach to her cancer journey. Her experiences reveal a trend of self-reliance and resolve. Tina’s story is not just one of survival. It is about taking control of one’s health and making the best decisions one can in the face of uncertainty.
To treat the cancer, Tina underwent a total of two surgeries, four chemotherapy sessions and 33 radiotherapy sessions. In the process, she had to make some tough calls.
Her second surgery was an operation that could have resulted in either a lumpectomy, which preserves the breast, or a mastectomy, the complete surgical removal of the breast. The exact course would only be determined in the operating room. “This meant I could wake up from the surgery and find an entire breast gone,” she recounted.
She had a choice to pre-emptively opt for a mastectomy to eliminate any uncertainty. Plus, she had to decide whether she wanted breast reconstruction, which would prolong her time in surgery.
“Making all these decisions drove me crazy. I had to weigh all the pros and cons,” she said. Deciding she could not accept the loss of a breast, she opted for a lumpectomy but gave consent for a mastectomy if the situation required it.
To her relief, the doctors were able to save her breast. However, the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes necessitating the removal of 24 nodes from her underarm, followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Amid gruelling side effects which included fatigue and muscle aches, Tina found little moments of positivity. She notes wryly that hair loss allowed her to wear wigs and “sport loads of different hairstyles.”
Battling Lymphoedema
Few people know that one of the side effects of breast cancer treatment is lymphoedema, which causes swelling in parts of the body (usually in extremities like the arms). Unlike hair loss and nausea, lymphoedema receives much less public attention. And yet, it can turn out to be a significant condition.
With the removal of her lymph nodes, Tina’s body was unable to drain bodily fluids properly leading to severe swelling in her right hand.
After raising the issue with three doctors and not getting satisfactory responses, Tina took matters into her own hands and read up about the condition. When she realised the physiotherapist she was referred to was not equipped to deal with lymphoedema, she found another therapist.
To manage lymphoedema, she wore compressive garments for a year and was scrupulous about treating cuts and mosquito bites on her right arm – to the extent of carrying around antiseptic cream when travelling. For people living with lymphoedema, an infection can turn severe, even resulting in hospitalisation.
One memory that stuck with her was how she fumbled while holding kitchen tongs and dropped a piece of expensive Wagyu beef on the floor. Instead of crying over spilt milk (or meat), incidents like this strengthened her resolve. “I was determined to make lymphoedema go away permanently and regain the use of my right hand,” she said.
Despite being told there was no cure for lymphoedema, she embarked on a fitness journey to become strong. She worked out with weights and kettlebells, did high-intensity interval workouts and participated in runs like the Singapore Cancer Society’s (SCS) Race Against Cancer and Relay for Life.
Today, Tina’s lymphoedema is under control. And in the process, she took charge of her health and discovered new hobbies as well.
A Career Pivot
Cancer prompted Tina to make a career switch away from real estate consulting. “I have spent the last 20 years working so hard for others and for the family. I decided it's about time I slow down and do what I like,” she reflects.
Today, Tina is a certified trainer and facilitator who conducts corporate training workshops. She is passionate about the Six Bricks method, a hands-on learning approach that employs Lego blocks for educational play, aimed at enhancing cognitive strength.
What’s remarkable is how Tina has taken her facilitation skills to serve as a volunteer trainer with non-profits like Muneeswaran Community Services and SCS.
Having noticed a decline in her memory after chemotherapy, Tina believes tools like Six Bricks can help cancer survivors improve their working memory and sharpen their focus. She is in talks with SCS to host a free workshop for cancer survivors this April.
Her hope is that such workshops won’t only help individual growth. They’ll also be a platform for the cancer community to connect and share their experiences and triumphs.
While noting that cancer survivors sometimes need space, Tina adds: “There is value to connecting with fellow survivors where you can share stories and learn from each other.”