Listiana fights cancer

Harry Potter and Listiana Srisanti have something in common: both have a strong fighting spirit.

Harry is determined to fight the evil wizard Lord Voldemort, who killed his parents as part of a plan to take over the wizarding world -- while Listiana has the strong determination to fight the cancer that almost killed her.

In 2004, a series of medical tests at a Central Jakarta hospital revealed Listiani had serious lung cancer.

"The oncologist told my husband I only had two to four months to live," she said.

Instead of crying and whining, Listiana made up her mind to fight the disease. She went to Singapore, where she learned her condition was even worse than she had been told in Jakarta. The cancer cells had spread to other parts of her body, indicating there was little hope for survival.

But Listiana refused to give up and kept her spirits high. After several operations and chemotherapy, her health improved drastically.

"I feel very healthy," said Listiana, whose hair that fell out during treatment has just started to grow back.

"I used to have cracked heels, but now they are smooth. My husband also said I have a better complexion," she said happily.

Listiana tries to always think positive and never lets herself be overpowered by emotions.

She recalls there were many times during her chemotherapy treatment when she forgot to wear her hat to cover her hairless head.

"I once went into a restaurant and many people stared at me. I realized I had left my hat in the car. So, I just turned around, went out to the car to get it and came back into the restaurant," she said with a laugh.

source:www.thejakartapost.com