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LING PO - BREAST CANCER Translated by: Anny Ruth |
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How do you do? I am Ling Po. I think most of you have seen my movies. I am from Amy, Fujian Province. When my mother and I left Amoy for Hong Kong, I was still small and I can say that both of us had a hard life. Not long after we were in Hong Kong, I started acting in Hokkien films. At the time I did not know anything about stardom, all I knew was that I was able to earn a living for both of us. When the Amoy films folded up, I joined Shaw brothers and starred in Love Eterne. It was beyond my imagination that the film made such an impact in Taiwan and other regions as well. Then when we left SB, we started our own film company and we produced movies like The Imperious Princess, Cross Road and New Dream Of Red Chamber. Those were received rather well. Over 10 years ago, we migrated to Toronto, Canada. It has been 14 years. My 2nd son works in HK, my 3rd son is in Taiwan and here I have my eldest son and 2 grandsons. Last year we moved in with my eldest son. Life here is relaxing, less hectic; playing golf daily and going for morning walks. In those years, I did not go for medical check-up. Last year we got to know a lady doctor, a gynaecologist. She's from Taiwan. We play golf together. One day, in the locker-room, she asked whether she could have a look. Since we are good friends, I let her check. She pressed a few times, then she said, "Ling Po Cheh (Sister), don't you think there's something here?" I checked myself-yes, there's something. The she advised me to go for ultra-sound. I went and the results were negative. That's good. Then I went to Taiwan and HK. After a few months, I felt the lump had grown bigger.I told my lady doctor friend. She asked me top go for another ultra-sound. Then I was advised to go for further diagnosis to remove some cells for testing. I was uncertain- what if there's something? She immediately made an appointment for me and I was asked to undergo a minor operation. I was not nervous at all. 5 days after I went back to playing golf. Then..I was told there were bad cells. My husband and I were shocked! What should I do? I have doctor friends and many friends in the States who care about me. The doctor friends conirmed the cells were cancerous but it was in the early stage. Although early, I still have to do something about it, right? My family: my sons, daughter-in-law, my husband and my friends too advised me to go for surgery. In Canada, there are many patients which means I have to wait. Perhaps I could go to a smaller town in US for the operation. That means I need to cut off another small piece for further diagnosis and if it's really bad news, then I have to undergo another operation and that'll be troublesome. I discussed with my family and they thought it's better to cut off another small piece. I was rather troubled and anxious. my family cares about my health, right? I went to see the doctor and finally, i decided to remove all of it. My friend, Hu Chin, flew to Toronto to be with me. She had undergone the operation earlier and the after effect was only a scar. Afterall I'm no longer young, even have grandchildren. So I decided to remove all of it. Meanwhile my friends and fans were concerned about me. My daughter-in-law boiled ling-chi soup for me everyday. So I went to the hospital. When I left I felt good. My doctor advised me to move my hands-if not, I would not be able to move them one day. I did not take any medication in hospital and I stayed there 10 days. Everything seems normal now and of course, I still have to go for check-up and take some medication. I must follow the doctor's advice. But, there is one thing I think is important. I am very fortunate this time because I discovered it early. If you should detect early breast cancer, remove it. You might be anxious and scared but listen to your doctor. My lady friends, you must go for mammogram and regular check-ups." Source: http://www.acscsn.org/chinese/Featured_Stories/poling_mand.html |