Isabelle Liow

Isabelle Liow, a self-made entrepreneur and well-groomed socialite.

In the years to follow, I am dividing my time and responsibilities equally between institutions from various countries. Of these involvements,

I have been appointed as the Secretary General of the Beijing Beauty & Wisdom Association in Malaysia; Co-founder of Women Leader “International” Network in Malaysia, “Director of Lions Club of Selangor Stars” as well as the Committee of Malaysia Chinese Women Entrepreneurs Association.

A two-time pageant winner & ambassador, Timeless Elegant Queen 2012 – Miss Malaysia Kebaya,

Mrs. Malaysia Global Queen 2013

And Mrs. Asia Globe 2013.

For the deeds over the years, I have received a fair measure of recognition by both the public and members of the elite for my efforts.

On 12th December 2012 marks the auspicious date of the conferment of the highly coveted Meritorious Service Medal by the T.Y.T. Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Melaka for my contributions to the state.

From the origins in tertiary education, through the ranks thanks to an equal measure of grit and determination. Within only a few years of being posted in China, I gained the respect and appreciation of my Chinese counterparts. This led to a great number of opportunities to develop networks that lasted well after my return to Malaysia. So when the opportunity presented itself, I naturally jumped, quickly settling into the role of Director of Kindergarten Chains Business. In year 2014 till 2016.

Now, I am the National Pageant Director of Mrs. Malaysia Globe (2015 — 2018) & International Organizer of Classic &Mrs. Chinatown International world Final (2017 — 2018)

The followings are the awards I received:

  1. Passion & Commitment Award (Young Professional category) by Malaysia Chinese Women Entrepreneurs Association for my dedicated pursuit of excellence in year 2014.
  2. Top 50 Businesswomen in Asia Pacific 2014 (Vietnam)
  3. Ambassador of Shark Savers Malaysia – CELEBRITIES PLEDGE “I’M FINISHED” WITH SHARK FINS.
  4. Top Professional Awards 2016 by International Business Federation of Singapore
  5. Professional Beauty Pageant Organizer by Asia Top Business Award Guangzhou, China 2017

 

  1. Malaysia Book of Record holder of “The Most Numbers of Beauty Queens in theTraditional Costumes Fashion Show” in 2016.
  2. Professional Beauty Pageant Organizer by Asia Top Business Award Guangzhou, China 2017
  3. Asia Top Masters Grand Award 2017 (AMAEA) Bali
  4. Asean InAward – Top In Personality 2017
  5. The most prominent & Emerging Brand Award 2018 – The most outstanding Co-founder of Women Leader international network by Feminine Magazine
  6. Outstanding Women Leaders Award 2018 (Vietnam)
  7. GNS Top Women Entrepreneurs Award 2018
  8. IBF Asia Top Leader Awards 2018
  9. CSR Leadership Excellence Award 2018
  10. The Iconic Invincible Award 2019

Reigning as Mrs. Asia Globe, I have taken the cause of social empowerment among the underprivileged. As a national icon, I used my public presence to further charitable causes throughout the nation. Since 2005, I have been effectively engaging both peers and the community alike to raise funds for various institutions. These include Chinese-based private and public schools; orphanages and elder care homes; centers for Down syndrome children; as well as the few charitable foundations.

More recently, an initiative realized by myself and co-founder of Women Leader international Network. I have received favorable reviews for their concerted efforts toward women empowerment.

In year 2017, there are life experiences as shattering as receiving a diagnosis that I have cancer.  It will stir up turbulent emotions, traumas, further overwhelming you with emotions too deep for words.

As life as I knew it ends and my life as a cancer patient begins, I will need—and receive — a lot of supports.

Now, my cancer experience no longer seems to stand in the way for those who know about it.

Despite of my diagnosis, my passion in work and social responsibilities can help to distract attention from the pain by focusing on something good. It can provide a spark of light in the darkness and it can even make me stay positive.

I had 6 cycles of chemotherapy, lumpectomy, lost my hair & many post chemo side effects. Then followed by 20 days of radiation & another 18 cycles of targeted therapy for Herceptin and then pet CT scan. A year of treatment protocol to go.

During this journey, I told myself I will not allow cancer to ruin or mess up my life. I will not allow cancer to knock me down completely. I will beat cancer because I am a winner. I will get my life back and enjoy it to the fullest. I’m in remission now but  I still keep moving forward.

My faith in God comforted me; nothing is impossible. I kept positive attitude despite all adversity because all of you are with me.

I am blessed. I am well taken care of by my medical doctors and hold onto the love I get from family and friends.

My passion and the gift of life I have been given are the main reasons I was encouraged and motivated.

During my chemotherapy, what a nightmare this little drug is…. I felt like

  1. I had the bad flu I have ever had,
  2. I couldn’t even lift my head up off the pillow on and the jolts of pain that ran up and down my body were unreal…
  3. I also ended up with a sore throat, ear aches & mouth ulcer (which I still have)
  4. And my nail beds are so sore I can hardly grip anything, I have the sore nails which are really aggravating. I cut my nails down real short, almost to the quick, because I hit one of them on something one night and it hurt like hell
  5. The hot flashes are unreal.
  6. There was one upside no nausea. I never thought I would say
  7. I’m a terrible insomniac in the days after treatment…
  8. Nose bleeds
  9. Watery eyes.
  10. Bloated tummy
  11. Loss of appetite
  12. Taste changes last for weeks
  13. destroys cells that grow rapidly, including those in the bone marrow that produce platelets. A low platelet count, also known as thrombocytopenia
  14. Fatigue
  15. Hair loss
  16. Muscles & joint aching
  17. Diarrhea
  18. Numbness

14 days after my 1st chemotherapy, when I woke up in the morning, there was hair all over my pillow. … “Oh no, not so soon”. I shuddered, shaking my shoulders as if shaking off a bad dream, “I didn’t want to watch my hairs fall.

I’m standing in my own shower, looking down at my toes and seeing all my hair from my head all over my feet. Clogging the drain.

Just the thought made me feel cold… Naked, as I wanted to hide myself away.  What courage it must have taken for me to scrub the hair from my head?

You might not think about how important your hair is until you face losing it.

Hair loss can be emotionally devastating. I feel sad, unattractive, expose & embarrass that I can’t go out in public, or that I will embarrass myself and family members.

I must admit it wasn’t a very pleasant experience but somehow you do get used to it. I just kept thinking to myself, i may have lost my hair but i have still got my life and my hair will grow back.

My post chemo side effects are horrible. On the 3rd cycle onwards, I had nose bleeds, I did ask the oncologist about it and got the answer that this is a side effect of Taxotere.

Chemotherapy drugs can stop the bone marrow from producing enough red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. So before the treatment starts, I need to have a blood test to check my levels of these.

Thank god that my blood platelet has goes up if compare to my previous report. But my white & red blood cells are slightly low. Luckily I don’t need any blood transfusion.

I am thankful to my dietitian who provided me the supplements which increase my immune system so that I could maintain my stamina as well as looking good!

After completing the 6th cycles of chemotherapy for 4 1/2 months, it doesn’t mean will the end of my Big C treatment.

There are diagnosis treatment schedule such as PET CT scan, ultrasound, blood test, surgery, radiotherapy etc.

After that, my oncologist will provide me for an “end of treatment summary” that outlines the original diagnosis, including the cancer type, stage, and the treatments received. It should also clearly state the proposed schedule for follow-up visits and recommended testing to monitor the person’s recovery.

Way to go!!!

Having cancer is like being in a war zone.  During my adjuvant therapy, I have metastatic breast cancer in the lungs. I felt ripped apart inside which I am experiencing deep sorrow.

A cancer diagnosis raises many fears. It can make you feel as if your life is out of control and that you don’t know what the future holds.

Till today, I still have to go to hospital for adjuvant therapy every 3 weeks to reduce the risk of recurrence.

Time is shortening, but every day that I challenge this cancer and survive is a victory for me.

Absolutely know I will be okay. Get up each day, get dressed, put make up on and heels. Walk tall. I took more care with my appearance when I was having targeted therapy, than ever before. It paid off. It actually made me feel better. I will get through this and be better for it.

My cancer scare changed my life. I’m grateful for every new, healthy day I have. It has helped me prioritize my life.

I survive what 1 thought would break me.

Now straighten the crown and move forward like a Queen I am.

I believe at the end of the dark tunnel there is always light and I can get through anything. I am thankful for being transformed into a better & stronger person.

Thank you.

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