GUT FEELING, MAY 2008[Page 50-55] :

In this article that I had chosen, the female protagonist, Lynn Sheer had an instinct about the pain in her body. She was not convinced when the doctor examined her said that it was appendicitis. She knew it was something else, probably cancer. Her husband, Larry was a victim of cancer too. When she was pushed out from the operation room, it was then her worries were further confirmed. The answer to her question came, it was colon cancer. She was unfamiliar with colon cancer, and was amazed that it was the most commonly diagnosed cancer. After that she underwent chemotherapy, it was tough for her, she suffered from the side-effects. She endured it all for seven months and finally survived.

After reading Lynn Sheer’s story, I was in awe. Despite her age at 55, she had portrayed herself as a fighter, with such a strong fighting spirit. She did not throw in the towel under any circumstances. She held on, stayed on and battled it out with cancer which was seemed as a killer. Her determination and the will in her were both worth the praise. She did not give up, especially during the chemotherapy. As we know, the toughest part of the cancer treatment is the chemotherapy, all the radiation could cause much destruction to one’s body, resulting in the deteriorating of one’s health. For example, Lynn Sheer vomited, had diarrhea, fever and chills. All of these clung on tight to her till the very end of it. The pain that had inflicted on her body, that had tormented her, was all faced by her bravely. She was undeterred and undaunted. She was ready for the challenges ahead. She had endured it, with courage and patience, and managed to survive this ordeal.

I feel that Lynn Sheer’s story is very inspiring and moving, at such ah old age, she was still able to combat her cancer with much bravery. It would be too much for her to bear, but she took up the challenge nevertheless. Although her husband died of cancer, she was not affected by it. She wanted to be considered normal again. She wanted everything to be over. It was all these that made her fight on. Besides this, I also feel that Lynn Sheer is a very good living example for all to learn from. She had shown us that, even someone at such an age could fight on with cancer, why could not we be like her? Why must we give up easily when we faced difficulties? Her story motivated me and spurred me on. She had made me view my life from a different perspective, a different angle. She had me looked up to her as a perfect role model, with much respect.

By Tze Hui Yi[26] 3G