I FIRST met business owner and cancer survivor Armin Baniaz Pahamin, 38, at a bootcamp I attended. He was lean, fit, happy and was ready to rumble the course at 5.30am.
I learnt later that he had suffered chronic myeloid leukaemia in his teens. He went through a bone marrow transplant, total body irradiation and full chemotherapy. Here, he shares his story.
What is the toughest part about living with cancer?
Emotionally, it was seeing my mother suffer and hearing her cry and seeing her tears when she prayed. I became mentally weak — being so dependent and bedridden had the worst psychological effect. I felt mentally drained and hopeless.
Physically, pain just does not seem to end, from one different type to another. I think I am a graduate in pain, having experienced a cocktail of it. Blood cancer is not specific to an organ as it involves the flow of blood to the whole body. The pain is felt in different parts of my body.
What has cancer taught you?
Humility, the importance of time, true friendship, family values and love. I see life differently and view things that other people won’t understand. There are various experiences that I just cannot describe in words to others. Others will have to go through what we have gone through to understand but I see friends differently... I appreciate time better, I value family and friendship better.
Having gone through the cycle of being diagnosed with cancer twice (first diagnosis and relapse) and having gone through the bone marrow transplant and endless treatments have taught me so much.
What foods do you avoid now?
I avoid all foods that are high in cholesterol and sugar but every morning I drink fresh juice twice daily, a mix of celery, green apple, beetroot, ginger, carrot, cucumber, grapefruit and bittergourd. At home, I only eat ponni-rice (rice without starch). I eat only fried food with olive oil, but occasionally enjoy dining out without limits.
How has your lifestyle changed after being diagnosed with cancer?
During the diagnosis period, I went through various cycles of being in denial, rebellion and self-pity before eventually being able to accept the cancer. Because I was diagnosed in my teens — the rebellious, notorious and experimental age — accepting cancer was hard.
But after that, the most prominent changes is in the value of life itself. Many people would weep at the loss of personal belongings, like cash, handphone or computer, but if they lose one hour of their life, they do not feel so bad. However, a cancer patient sees it very differently.
Are you a changed person after cancer?
Definitely. In at least two ways. First, I take better care of myself now. I exercise regularly. I have been a gym member for the past 15 years and am now into my third year exercising at the Chief’s Military Bootcamp (COBC), a 20-year-old military-inspired training programme.
From being sick and bedridden, I have participated in more than 80 outdoor activities within the last eight years. I have run eight full (42km) marathons, more than 20 15km-30km running races and more than 30 15km running races. I have also conquered eight mountains, including Mt Kinabalu.
I have attempted ironman triathlon (3.8km open water swim, 180km cycle, 42km run) and completed the swim and 128km cycle. I tried the Sundown Singapore 80KM Ultramarathon and completed 58km.
Secondly, I eat better now... with particular emphasis on daily nutritional intake.
How should a patient face cancer?
Be positive. We are still breathing, so stop thinking of dying. Yes, it is easier said than done but it is actually as simple as that. Look on the bright side of things. Personally, I always see cancer patients as people with a special gift. After diagnosis, every day is a different experience... the journey in life becomes far more valuable. There are many things that cancer patients see and they view things that other people won’t understand.
Be strong. Also easier said than done but I went through it too and there are so many ways to be strong. For a start, take charge and be in control of your emotions and plan ahead on how to go to battle (against cancer). Be prepared spiritually — pray! Physically, start exercising. Having cancer should not stop you from exercising.
Be normal. The truth is, after being diagnosed, we stop being normal. We think we cannot do this, we cannot do that... and sometimes doctors don’t help either. Doctors should be encouraging and not stop patients by being restrictive.
And it is not just the patient. The whole family and circle of people around the patient have to be positive, strong and normal too.
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