Home Sweet Home

Assalamualaikum wbt

Alhamdulillah, by the will of Allah, I was finally reunited with my lovely family on the 11th June 2009. To be able to see the faces whom I know had been praying earnestly especially for the last 6 months for my safe return and good health.



Us with Wan Ipoh (if only Jep could be here too..)


By the time I set foot in Malaysia, I was already looking forward to seeing everyone else in Bentong. They have made their way to Aki's house earlier to prepare for Pakcik's wedding on Saturday. After 5 years missing out on family gatherings, I know that I had to play my part now.

Seeing Paktam and the rest of the family in Bentong was a profoundly emotional moment. I knew these people were just as anxious as Mama and Papa to see me again after everything that has happened. As I entered into Aki's house, I was surprised to see that they had taken the hassle to celebrate my homecoming with a nice, creative little banner.



Nice isn't it? =)


My main role for Pakcik's wedding is to be his bestman, a role I'm obviously not used to and was therefore a challenge I relish taking. Well, I guess I didn't do that bad really, Pakcik and Kak Chik were happy and that's all that matters to me. =)



Menjalankan Ops Memasang Sepanduk malam sebelum kenduri (this was around 1230am)



Berposing sambil menanti ketibaan pengantin =)



Menumpang populariti pengantin =)



Pelamin pengantin



Alhamdulillah, about 700++ people atttended the ceremony


A lot of people have been saying that I look well despite my condition and all the treatments I have undergone, alhamdulillah. It does feel a bit strange that I no longer have to follow my every 2-weeks routine of chemotherapy, and I do feel much stronger nowadays. My hairs are also starting to grow longer now as they are no longer affected by the chemotherapy drugs. =)

The only thing I need to work on now is my level of fitness, which has definitely gone down so much over the past 6 months. I remembered trying to go for a jog just a day before I left UK for Malaysia, only having to stop after just 10 minutes feeling breathless and lightheaded. It is frustrating, but I know that there's no point pushing myself too much only to cause further harm to my heart. I just have to take it one step at a time.

A few days ago, Helen Beadle (the Specialist Nurse) left me a voice message all the way from Sheffield to remind me of the management plan post-chemotherapy. In 4 weeks time, I'll be having what is hopefully my last ever PET scan to assess how well has my body responded to the treatment given. The CT scan result in April was promising and I pray to Allah that it will be even better come this end of July, biiznillah.



PET-CT Scan


As I am reacquainted with long lost friends in Malaysia, I was so surprised to find out how news about myself has spread so fast beyond my expectation. Try as I might to keep things as secret, I know it was just a matter of time before everyone found out. Alhamdulillah, at least I know how blessed I am to have a lot of concerned friends whom endlessly gave their support and prayers. And for that, I can not thank Allah enough for His Mercy.

SubhanAllah. Alhamdulillah. Allahuakbar.

Sri Petaling,
Kuala Lumpur.

You've made it Pakcik!

Assalamualaikum wbt


وَمِنْ ءايَـتِهِ أَنْ خَلَقَ لَكُم مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَزْوَجاً لِّتَسْكُنُواْ إِلَيْهَا

وَجَعَلَ بَيْنَكُم مَّوَدَّةً وَرَحْمَةً إِنَّ فِى ذَلِكَ لأَيَـتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ

And among His signs is this that He created for you wives from among yourselves, that you may find repose in them, and He has put between you affection and mercy. Verily, in that are indeed signs for a people who reflect. [30:21]

Allah tells us between the verses of 20 to 25 in this beautiful chapter of Surah Ar-Rum some of the amazing signs which speak of His might and power. Out of Allah's perfect mercy, He has created women to complement men and create such a wonderful harmony between the two that each is a perfect counterpart of the other.

Last weekend marked another significant and emotional event for my family. Azmir bin Hj Mohamed Salleh, fondly known among us as Pakcik, has finally tied the knot with the love of his life, Sharifah Nor Asilah bt Syed Basir.

I personally find this occasion emotional as I am instantly reminded of a person who wasn't there during the weekend but is surely in the thoughts of Pakcik, and all of us.

That person is Arwah Wan.



Arwah Wan must be so proud and happy for Pakcik now that he has finally met his partner in life. May Allah reward arwah Wan with Jannah, biiznillah.

To Pakcik, congratulations, and the Sunnah for wishing every recently married couple is :

بَارَكَ اللهُ لَكَ وَبَارَكَ عَلَيْكَ وَجَمَعَ بَيْنَكُمَا فِي خَيْرٍ

May Allah bless for you, and may He bless on you, and combine both of you in good (works). [Sunan Abu Daud, no.2130]

Wassalam

p/s: I'll be joining the celebration soon, insya Allah. Not too looking forward with the idea of being the best man though. Kena jadi jugak lagi ke? =(

Finally there!

Assalamualaikum wbt

It has been another grueling week post-chemotherapy. Yet again, I got a KO against Mr Chemo, but at least I had mom to be by my side throughout the battle. She was there when the fight began, so she wasn't gonna miss the finale.



Video courtesy of Mom.

I must admit it is frightening having experienced the sheer amount of side effects this therapy has given to me, and I pray to Allah that I will never have to go through such trial again. Nauzubillah.

But at the same time, I believe that there is always a hikmah behind everything Allah has destined for us, even though at times we struggle to realize the hikmah behind things that afflict us.


We will surely put you to trial by involving you in fear and hunger and by causing loss of property, life and earnings. And give good tidings to those who remain steadfast in these trials: when a misfortune comes to them, they say, "We are Allah's and we shall certainly return to Him,' Their Lord will bestow great blessings and mercy upon them; such are the people who are rightly guided. [Al Baqarah:155-157]


Allah will give the one who perseveres in this kind of fortitude to taste the sweetness of surrender and find rest in the serenity of contentment (redha). Cantik bukan?

I need to get some more rest. Baru sekejap je bangun, tapi dah penat balik.

Wassalam