Even though Kala went through cancer twice, her outlook is positive as she asserts that cancer isn’t a ‘death sentence’.
Breast cancer is not a death sentence, says two-time survivor Kala Balasingam, 52, from Kuala Lumpur.
Her advice to women who are facing breast cancer is to not give up as medical technology has advanced over the years in terms of the treatments available and their success rate.
“You’re not alone, there are always people to help and care, and there’s always a rainbow at the end of the journey,” says Kala.
The single mother of one daughter was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007 when she was 36, and it recurred in 2020 when she was 49. When she was first diagnosed, Kala was also going through a divorce.
But all is well, says Kala, who is taking a break from work to travel and see the world.
The youngest of three sisters, adds that the support of family and friends has seen her through her tumultuous journey with breast cancer.
Early detection important
Kala with her daughter Lavinia. Photo: Kala Balasingam
In 2007, Kala first discovered a lump in her breast while showering, and she was diagnosed with breast cancer after seeing a doctor at National Cancer Society Malaysia who referred her to a specialist for a second opinion.
Kala was told there were “jellybean-like nodules” and “it would be difficult to remove because they were all over the place”. She was also sent for a biopsy, which she says was “so painful”.
“I went for my medical appointments alone and didn’t ask my family members to accompany me because I didn’t think it was anything serious initially.
“I even told my boss I was going back to work after the biopsy,” she says.
“But it was just too painful because the tumour had hardened so it was difficult to extract the liquid for testing. They had to pause the procedure three times because I was in so much distress,” she recalls.
When she got the results three days later, the diagnosis was confirmed.
“I didn’t cry. I was just very shocked and stunned. Nobody in our family had ever had cancer,” says Kala.
“Even when the specialist at the private hospital explained what had to be done step-by-step, stressing that the we couldn’t wait and the surgery had to be done immediately, it still didn’t sink it.”
The partial mastectomy and breast implant surgery went well but then her tumultuous journey began.
“After my surgery, the wound took a long time to heal and that delayed the start of my treatment. During the first and second chemo treatments, they also couldn’t get a PICC (peripherally inserted central catheter) line in for the medication.”
“I then had a second surgery to insert a chemo port and the third chemo treatment proceeded successfully.”
But then, Kala’s wound got infected again, and this time, it opened up.
Kala, the youngest of three siblings, pictured with her two elder sisters. Photo: Kala Balasingam
“My implant had to be taken out. My family and friends tried to encourage me to go on. My sister even told me she’d take me on a holiday to India once I completed my treatments so that I had something to look forward to,” she says.
After the implant came out, Kala recovered in a week. Then she continued the chemo treatments and there were no more obstacles. But she was really sick from all the side effects.
“I really wanted to get back to work, and start a new life by January the next year. I felt I needed a new beginning,” she adds.
Telling children about cancer
Kala feels that it's important for breast cancer survivors to tell their children about it.“My daughter was only seven when I was diagnosed but my ex-husband and I felt she needed to be told,” says Kala.
“The National Cancer Society has books to explain about cancer to children. So, I bought one and explained it to her. She was very sad but mainly because I wouldn’t be at home.”
For three and a half weeks after her surgery, Kala was warded. She didn’t let her daughter visit because she didn’t want the girl to be traumatised by “the tubes in me”.
It was also during that time that Kala’s aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer.
“It really shook me up because she would accompany me every other day after her work. I went into a deep depression but a friend helped me get through it.
“She would bring me for walks and other activities. I didn’t want to move my arms because of the pain but she would make sure I did my exercises to ensure I didn’t lose my mobility and flexibility,” she says.
After completing her chemotherapy and radiology treatments, Kala went to South India for three weeks with her family, a break that she says was “really amazing”.
Every three months, and subsequently, every six months, Kala would return for her checkups. On her fifth year, it became an annual checkup.
Kala with her daughter Lavinia who was her source of strength when she got her second diagnosis. Photo: Kala Balasingam
But after 13 years, the cancer came back.
A day before the pandemic lockdown, Kala went for her annual checkup and the doctor spotted an abnormality and asked her to return in six months. At that time, no one knew the pandemic would happen. When Kala returned she was asked to do a biopsy.
This time, she had a full mastectomy. Fortunately, the cancer was in the early stages so she didn’t need any chemotherapy and radiology treatments.
Kala’s was accompanied by her daughter who was already 20 by this time.
“We cried together in the car. Then, we stopped crying and went and had our favourite food to cheer ourselves up,” she says.
After the surgery, the doctor told me there was no spread. When she came to see me, she said: ‘You’re going to be fine’, concludes Kala.
