ONE BATTLE SHE ALMOST LOST

       Women and children's rights activist Paveena Hongsakula tells of her secret struggle with cancer
       Paveena Hongsakula is famous for high-profile battles against abusers of women and children, but less well known is the war she's been waging against breast cancer for several years.
       In 2004, she found a lump in her right breast while taking a bath -- only two months after her last mammogram.
       Doctors at Queen Sirikit Centre for Breast Cancer confirmed it was a cancerous tumour, and she began treatment.
       Diagnosis or death sentence?
       "As soon as I heard the diagnosis, I assumed it was a death sentence. My first thought was, 'will I be able to wrap everything up? Who will run my foundation when I'm gone, and how will my son cope? When I gave him the news he was in tears."
       In November 2004, she had an operation to remove the tumour. Two months later doctors discovered the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes; she had another operation. Then, as she was about to undergo chemotherapy, doctors found something wrong with her heart. Her pulse was racing at 200-300 times per minute -- 60-90 times is normal -- so she had another operation to implant the pacemaker needed to protect her heart from the stress of chemotherapy.
       Kris Chatamra, head and founder of the Centre, says apart from the three operations, Paveena had 30 doses of radiotherapy and six courses of chemotherapy.
       "My son, Supamon has kept me going," says Paveena. "He buys me DVDs of my favourite comedies and always reminds me to take my medicine and rest. I've kept up my work with women and children for the foundation throughout the treatment and only told family members about the disease."
       The key to prevention
       Kris says Paveena was lucky because she found the tumour early, giving her a greater chance of recovery.
       "Paveena has recovered 95 per cent so far," he says.
       Paveena is sharing the story of her five-year cancer battle with readers of her new book.
       She was recently chosen as the centre's ambassador for breast cancer 2009 with the job of encouraging women to check their breasts regularly.

       Xtra
       Her story
       "Diary Pavena Hongsakul: Soo Chana Mareng Rai Nai 5 Pii" is available at 7/Eleven shops and other bookstores for Bt179.
       Income from the books' sale will go to the Queen Sirikit Centre for Breast Cancer and the Paveena Hongsakula Foundation.