75-year-old cancer survivor also happens to be part of a dragon-boating team

She also swims 40 laps a week. Did we mention that she's 75?

Joshua Lee | August 25, 2016, 11:40 AM

These days, almost everyone knows someone who had cancer.

Those who have personally journeyed with cancer (or with loved ones who suffered from it) know that every day is a crippling one, filled with anxiety and fear. If the pain and psychological burden isn't enough, cancer patients undergoing treatment also have to contend with side effects, with the loss of weight and hair merely scratching the surface.

Post-treatment isn't a bed of roses either — the constant worry of a recurrence of cancer can be enough to reduce a cancer survivor's quality of life.

Enter Kate Wong.

Wong is a 75-year-old breast cancer survivor who defies all expectations of what a cancer survivor should be. Diagnosed and treated 15 years ago, Wong's cancer has since been in remission. However, she is not taking it easy. Her fitness, positivity, and zest for life probably exceeds most of ours.

kate wong Kate Wong (left) with PM Lee at a Chingay event.

Wong rows with the Pink Spartans — a group of dragon boaters made up of cancer survivors and supporters.

These dragon boaters are quick to bust the stereotypical image that cancer patients are weak. Wong, for example, started dragon boating after one year of treatment, and readily matches her younger team mates in passion and energy for the sport.

The Pink Spartans The Pink Spartans — Wong is at the centre of the first standing row, wearing a cap and shades.

She shares her experience with breast cancer with us:

Mothership.sg (MS):  Can you tell us your cancer story?

Kate Wong (KW): I was diagnosed on January 14, 2002. I was 61. I was a school principal at Good Shepherd Convent Kindergarten. Of course I was in shock – I didn’t even know what cancer was. I was so busy with my education career, I had hardly heard of cancer at that time.

I was very fortunate to be diagnosed during the first stage. It happened by chance during a mammogram. The surgeon discovered that I had shadows in my breasts, so he suggested I had a biopsy. The biopsy result showed that it was aggressive breast cancer. I was shocked. Then I asked them what I should do – surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, hormonal therapy?

Although the cancer was still in its first stage, I went for a mastectomy. I thought it was better to lose one breast than to lose my life. After that, I went through four cycles of chemotherapy, then five years of hormonal therapy.

 

MS: Who did you speak to about it back then? Did these people play key roles in helping you cope with the cancer?

KW: I had almost no support at all. When I told my only brother about my diagnosis, he said it was very suay (unlucky). I was so angry with him, I cut him off and had nothing to do with him.

I was also quite embarrassed, since I was in the education line. I was so affected that I submitted my resignation and went into hiding for one year. During the initial phase, I shared the news with three very close friends — all swinging singles, like myself. They were very supportive though. After surgery, they hugged me and cried.  They helped me to cope. One of them, Alice Lau, always comes to my house and buys provisions for me.

MS: Please tell us about the treatment process that you went through. How did it affect your daily life?

KW: I went through about one year of treatment. Chemotherapy made me very nauseous. It was actually a bonus because I was very obese and the treatment caused me to lose weight! Without a good appetite, I lost weight. The worse thing was I’m a vain person – the ulcers in the mouth didn't matter, but losing my hair was the worst. I had to wear a wig.

Funny story: During those days I used to go to Raffles Town Club to swim and exercise. By then I was wearing a prosthetic breast. The bus I took to the club was very crowded and without warning, the driver jammed on the brakes, causing my prosthetic ‘lump’ to drop out in front of the passengers. I was so embarrassed. I quickly alighted with the public staring at me wondering what’s this person doing trying to put a lump back into her shirt.

 

MS: When were you eventually given a clean bill of health? How did you feel after all you had been through? Did you ever think you would have made it here?

KW: Cancer is a journey. I can’t really say I’m cured 100 per cent. I don’t want to think about it though. I don’t think of recurrence. I move on in life – be positive, it’s one of the sickness I had overcome. Thank God for the staff of NCCS, the doctors and nurses and support group. They helped me a lot, especially being single.

When I met other cancer survivors, I was shocked they all looked happy and well during the support group meetings. I was so shocked to see that they’re so normal. So they set an example for me from there – I learnt from them. I’ve been a positive person – I have faith in my doctor.

MS: We understand you're 14 years cancer free :) How would you say it has changed your life?

KW: I think cancer is the best thing that ever happened to me. It helped me to come to a decision to quit my stressful and demanding job, to have time to stop and smell the roses. It’s a wake-up call to be responsible for my own health. I was too focused on my career – sick also go to work. I started gymming, swimming and dragon boating. It was a blessing in disguise.

Kate Wong Pink Spartans The Pink Spartans — Wong is on the right, second from the bottom.

MS: On the subject of dragon boating, when did you pick it up, and is that the main exercise you do, or do you do other things too?

KW: I picked up dragon boating after my treatment at the end of 2002.  It happened that Dr McKenzie (a Kinetic doctor from Canada) introduced dragon boating in Singapore. After a mastectomy, the lymphatic system sometimes gets obstructed, so he put a group of breast cancer women on trial, to strengthen the muscles and force the lymphatic system to flow. He was invited to Singapore to talk about dragon boating for breast cancer patients in 2003. We went for the talk, all of us formed a group. We had six months of training with a Singapore coach (John Edward) before we started rowing.

We were in our 40s, 50s, 60s when we took part in our first race. All the young spectators said, “You think these aunties can paddle?” When we really paddled, they were all surprised and cheered us on. This also helps to create awareness: there is life after breast cancer.

One of the things I enjoyed was the camaraderie — the beautiful part about meeting other cancer survivors — and friendship. Dragon boating also motivated me to exercise. It motivated me to pick up swimming – I learnt it myself every day for six months at the Raffles Town Club swimming pool. I feel responsible for my own fitness. All these happened only after my cancer.

MS: Many people might think that cancer survivors are in some way physically weaker than others — could you share your take on this?

KW: No, it’s a myth. You can make yourself fit and stronger than others. If you think you’re weak, you’ll be weak – it’s all in the mind. Look at me, I’m 75 and I swim 40 laps twice a week. I also do aqua aerobics in the pool. Cancer motivates me to exercise and become fitter!

 

MS: Lastly, what would you say to encourage a person who has just been diagnosed with cancer?

KW: First, and most importantly, listen to your doctor. Have faith in your doctor, go for treatment. Try not to listen to too many people, you’ll be confused. Second, be positive, believe that you want to get well.

You can catch Wong and the Pink Spartans in action at the "Row For Hope" fundraising and awareness event run by the National Cancer Centre Singapore, happening on Saturday, August 27. The Pink Spartans will form two dragon-boating teams which will be racing against each other. The event will also feature rowing teams from the Oxford and Cambridge Society of Singapore.

If you can't be there in person, you can also donate to their cause here.

Proceeds from the race will go into funding patient care programmes which provide much needed support and care for cancer patients, ensuring that they receive a better quality of life.

 

Hear directly from Wong, as well as more about this Saturday's event, in the video below:

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Top photo courtesy of Kate Wong.

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