A journey with Cai Lin...

Beginning of this year I was invited to be on a medical show called "My Doctors". Sound familiar? That's because "My Doctors" is adopted from the American talk show called "The Doctors"! "The Doctors" airs in the US, Canada Mexico and a few other countries. It is an hour long daytime program which is distributed in the US and globally as well. This program talks about health and medical issues and is hosted by a team of medical professionals. They usually invite guests or speakers or even celebrities onto the show to discuss various health-related topics and answer questions from viewers who are too shy to ask anyone, let alone their own doctors.  On set with Dr Liyana and Dr Zainal In episode 26 of My Doctors, I was interview by Dr Liyana, a clinical physician, and Dr Zainal, a surgeon specialist, regarding my scoliosis. What it's like to live with scoliosis, be a competitive athlete and training with scoliosis, how I manage my

1 year and 1 week ago since my scoliosis operation! Been really happy and grateful that my operation has been so successful and I don't have anymore back pain! Started exercising a little bit since my last posting. And guess what! No pain! Just a little recap about myself and my operation for the new readers. First of all, I would like to make it clear that whatever I write here is based on my own experience. This blog started because I didn't find many scoliosis warriors sharing their own experience. A lot were case studies by doctors which didn't interest me because the doctor's aren't the ones in the patient's shoes. I needed more first hand information. Information from a warrior themselves.  This was the first time I saw my back in a picture and also the first time I came out openly to share that I have scoliosis. So, about myself. I'm from Malaysia, a former national swimmer, Olympian and now working full time in the sports industr

Almost a year post op! Everything is looking and feeling awesome! Sorry I haven't been updating my blog. Been really busy at work as I'm learning so many new things! For those of you who don't know, I started working full time since September last year. Got a job in a sports marketing company. Yup! Something to do with sports. My role is mainly to manage athletes. So many new things to learn for me right now as before this, I was the athlete and didn't know much about what goes on 'behind the scenes' but now I see everything. From approaching clients, to arranging photo/video shoots, to scouting for new talent, and the list goes on and on. It's been an amazing journey so far and little did I know that I've already been working for 8 months! No wonder I'm feeling like I'm in need of a vacation. Lol. Back to my life post op, I haven't been doing much  exercising since I stopped going for rehab last August. I do walk my dog twice a day ever

Wow! What a year it has been for me. Let me recap a little on what has happened: Had a job for 3 months. Decided to resign as I got confirmation about my operation.  Watched Coldplay live in Bangkok. Finally had my scoliosis operation done after putting it on hold for 12 years! Recovery was long but to be honest, I don't remember much of the pain that I went through. But it was definitely the best decision I've made on getting the operation done.  Although I couldn't represent my country at the 29th SEA Games which was held in my country, I managed to get a job as media manager during the games and (of course) I covered all aquatic events! 😄 Got a job in one of the world's most successful sports marketing agencies - Dentsu. Blessed to get this job as the team here is awesome!  7 (no this wasn't planned for no. 7 😝) and a half months after my op I feel fucking totally amazing! My back doesn't hurt at all. No nagging or sharp pain like before. I can no

Post op 6 months! Wow time flies when you're enjoying life. But then again, my operation kinda feels like a life time ago as well. Lol So, lets recall back what happened in the last 6 months  I finally got my scoliosis operation done after putting it on hold for 12 years The first 2 months of recovery were really difficult The right side of my lumbar was so painful because they 'stretched' out my muscle after the operation My new best friend is my hot pack Some how I managed to pull my groin within the first month even though I was moving at  slower than turtle speed.   Everyday I felt little improvements in my recovery My swimsuits are a little tighter now (thank goodness not my pants that feels tighter! Lol) I 'grew' 4.5 cm!!! I'm really happy with my decision to have the operation and the results that I've gotten so far. And so, I present to you...*drum roll*... MY BATTLE SCAR!!!  A 10 inch long scar running from T10-L4 right

"Swimming with Scoliosis" - that was my topic during the Sports Medicine Australia conference last week. Every fourth year, this conference will be some where out of Australia and this year it happened to be in Langkawi! Great place and even greater conference. It was the first time I was invited to be a speaker at such a big huge event. With Dr Chan - President of Sports Medicine Malaysia and Mr Anthony Merrilees - CEO of Sports Medicine Australia As you know, I was a former competitive swimmer and only decided to have my operation done recently as no surgeon could guarantee that I could go back into competitive swimming. Putting my surgery on hold also meant that my scoliosis would get worst as the years passed. But this was a risk I was willing to take because of my swimming career. At the end of the day it all turned out really well for me. Soon it will be 6 months since my operation and all that I've been through has most definitely been worth it.