Better questions are to ask, 'How much it will change my life?' or 'How would I see life after the treatment?' I have yet met a patient who has not changed his/her way of life, or idea about life. Besides the little inconveniences caused by the long-term side effects, NPC has changed my attitudes to life dramatically. I could only pass on my own experiences, and you are encouraged to leave yours.

Going through the treatment of a life threatening illness is like testing your own very existence. I am fortunate to have my life extend. I see my current extended life as my second life with His generosity. However it changes the way I see life and changes the way that I would like to live the rest of my life. It also changes my ideas on success as measured by fortune and fame. Life has always existed, for all living things, in a state of perpetual impermanence. We should enjoy what we have in life, instead of marveling at what we might have lost. Therefore each day is an extra day I should be thankful for; I owe it to myself to make it a day worth living.

In a practical way, I slow down to look at things surrounding me; things that I have missed in my previous life. I am looking forward to see the sunrise of each morning because it is always unique. I stopped in my morning jog to admire the flower blossoms (as well as catching my breath). I admired the brilliances of the flowers of the Cotton Tree at early summer, the colours and shades of the blooms from the Acacia trees in May. At work, I spent more time on tasks I enjoy, as well as tasks that I oblige to do. At home, I spent more time and attention with my little family. I live a more splendid second life. It is unfortunate but true, it took a threat of death for me to appreciate the meaning of life. Overall what I learned from this experience is to be humble in front of benevolences. In my inevitable last day (NPC related or otherwise), I know that it will be the happiness I have with my family and the warmth from my friends which flashing through my memory. I know that I would be grateful, and I know that I would be smiling.

K T KO, Last updated: 7th September 2001