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Melvin Lai

@melvin020216

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🇨🇦🏳️‍🌈 #cancersurvivor Stage 2B Burkitt Lymphoma 7 Years remission! ♒️ 🤭

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Delicious dinner hehe 😜 @cheukminpo good meat and good rice dishes 🤤 #hongkong #hongkongfood taken in Hong Kong by @melvin020216

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a year ago

As I write this, I am overwhelmed with gratitude and reflection as it marks six years of being cancer-free and in remission.

The journey hasn’t been easy. The memories of pain, fear, and uncertainty still linger. Moments like shaving off all my hair, stepping into each operation not knowing what I’d wake up to or if I’d see the light at the end of the tunnel still echo in my mind. Yet, as difficult as they were, those moments have shaped me into who I am today.

Over the past six years, I’ve worked hard to rebuild my life. I’ve learned tough lessons, gained and lost friendships as our paths deviate, and navigated the mysterious ways my body communicates its aches, pains, and limitations. Through it all, I’ve tried to stay grateful, even when it wasn’t easy.

Leaving Toronto was one of the best decisions I’ve made for myself. It gave me space to breathe, travel, meet new people, and reconnect with parts of myself I’d forgotten.

Returning to Hong Kong after 12 years reminded me of the connections I’ve lost with family, but it also filled me with love, nostalgia, and gratitude for the moments we still share. I’ll cherish those memories and the freedom to create new ones.

My mental health has been a rollercoaster as I’ve faced challenges no one my age should endure. Yet, these struggles have made me stronger, more resilient, and unique. Slowly but surely, I’m working toward becoming a livelier, more vibrant version of myself.

I carry deep gratitude for the friends who stood by me in my darkest moments. Your love and support kept me going. I hope to meet more amazing people to share experiences with, to learn from, and to grow alongside.

As I finish writing this, tears fill my eyes 🥹, but my heart is full of hope. No matter how dark the storms get, brighter days will come. Every day alive is a gift, a chance to love, to live fully, and to create memories that matter. ✨ #cancersurvivors taken in Sick Kids Hospital by @melvin020216

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a year ago

My last night of chemo! This cancer experience has been rough having this cancer but I must thank a lot of people for sticking up for me and the nurses and drs and experts who have helped to make my journey easier to go through. The last 2 treatments was hell throwing up, not eating, losing 10 pounds of weight in a matter of a few days. But staying strong was the best answer I can give. It was hell because when you have cancer, you quickly realize who your true friends are and how much they care and give a shit about you when you are down and injured. This journey has been a nice happy rough depressing but a well worth it journey. And I am happy to say I am done and I can’t wait to celebrate and learn about my next chapter! taken in Toronto, Ontario by @melvin020216

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7 years ago

Happy Thanksgiving 🦃 !!!! by @melvin020216

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6 days ago

Nuit Blanche festivities 🥳 and meals :) taken in Toronto, Ontario by @melvin020216

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12 days ago

Toronto cruiser ride with @dizsolvedgirl and many other crew hehe 😉 new beaver installation at Biidasiage park 🙃

Beatle at Biidasiage Park

Dinner with Albert and Ketan at @thesneakydees

Half price nachos ❤️❤️❤️ taken in Friends of Biidaasige Park by @melvin020216

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18 days ago

Riding bikes with friends, chilling with Newton 🐶 and handling life’s own challenges as gracefully as I can ❤️🥱 taken in Toronto, Ontario by @melvin020216

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22 days ago

Comedy night with @gerry_sull ❤️❤️🎭 #gaycomedy taken in Toronto, Ontario by @melvin020216

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a month ago

With @gerry_sull and @chaitealatttei having a night playing board games and watching movies and more ❤️❤️ taken in Toronto, Ontario by @melvin020216

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a month ago

Life lately hehe 😜 celebrations and happiness ❤️ taken in Toronto, Ontario by @melvin020216

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a month ago

Raving, dancing 🕺 , partying with @gerry_sull ❤️ taken in Geary Ave by @melvin020216

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2 months ago

Life lately with friends celebrating birthdays and being with people who truly appreciate you for who you are 😊❤️ taken in Toronto, Ontario by @melvin020216

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3 months ago