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Bambi Chung Tak-lun and Icey Lau Yuk-ping

Bambi Chung Tak-lun, 61, was used to living life in the fast lane. He worked hard, played hard and liked to frequent karaoke bars.

In 1990, Mr Chung was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma - a cancer of the blood. Having cancer proved to be the turning point of his life. He underwent 12 chemotherapy courses in two years, lost his hair and constantly felt like throwing up. Drinking a glass of water even made him feel sick.

He decided to change his lifestyle so he quit smoking and stopped going out all night.

'I learnt to stop and look about and smell the roses,' he said.

He also started doing volunteer work for Hong Kong Dog Rescue and had a swim every morning.

In 1996 he had a relapse and had to start another round of chemotherapy, which cost him HK$50,000. This six-course treatment had fewer side effects than the first one and helped him feel better.

But last year he experienced a sudden weight drop and found that the cancer had returned once again. He couldn't have chemotherapy any more but was prescribed pills to shrink the tumour.

'I had to have bone marrow extraction done regularly. The doctors couldn't give me general anaesthesia and had to insert the thick needle deep into my pelvic bone with me fully conscious,' he said.

'The pain was beyond my imagination. At that time I thought, even if I was Bill Gates I would have to bear this on my own.'

Mr Chung, who has recovered again, is lucky to have been a recipient of the Hong Kong Blood Cancer Foundation's Cancer Fighter programme, which gave him HK$60,000.

He is philosophical about his cancer. 'If you have to go, you have to go. Medicine only helps so much.'

For him, the cure is swimming. He said his daily session helped him relax and regain stamina and allowed him to concentrate once more on whatever he needed to do.

Cancer brought more than just physical pain to 43-year-old Icey Lau Yuk-ping. The emotional rollercoaster she and her family endured was even more unbearable.

When it was confirmed that she had non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Ms Lau had to undergo six chemotherapy courses, which cost HK$110,000. 'I cried right away. My family could not afford it. I would have felt so bad if they had to go into debt because of my sickness. I would rather have not got treatment if my family had to pay so much,' she said.

Fortunately, she was able to apply for funding from the Hong Kong Blood Cancer Foundation, which covered the full cost. 'It was such a relief. It would be a tragedy if someone could be cured and was brave enough to face the treatments, but they didn't have the money to start it,' she said.

The chemotherapy consisted of six injections, with each given three weeks apart. Before each injection she had to take 40 steroid pills, which greatly affect her emotions. She became very grumpy the week after taking the steroids.

'Before taking the steroids I always told my kids that if I acted differently it was because of the drugs. I also tried to avoid interacting with others during the period.'

The drugs had many other side effects. She lost her hair, had joint pains and couldn't stay in the same position for long. She also couldn't sleep. At one point she wanted to give it all up, but her family and some cancer survivors provided her with much needed support.

Now she is fully recovered. She and her family have suffered a lot but there were positive changes in her family. 'We learnt to share our feelings with each other. My daughters are now more sensitive to my feelings.'



Two tales of triumph