Thirteen operations, three chemotherapy regimes and three radiation treatments have not stopped Ms Rosalind Gurupatham from doing what she loves - teaching English Literature.

The 51-year-old was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer 10 years ago. Three years later, the cancer spread to her lungs.

'The tumour is now clinging to my nerves and my doctor has told me that nothing can be done,' she said.

'Now I have to move around in a wheelchair. They have told me that one day, I may not even be able to sit up.'

But the teacher, who is single, remains upbeat. 'I will take it one day at a time right now,' she said.

Her colleagues at Serangoon Junior College are rallying around her. Operations manager Kok Wai Tong picks her up to take her to school.

'He lives along Dunearn Road, but yet he drives all the way to Sengkang to take me to school in Serangoon,' said Ms Gurupatham.

'He's 59 and it's quite an effort for him to carry me into the car.'

Mr Kok, who has been performing the service since January, also takes her back to her home whenever he can.

Ms Gurupatham admits that her illness is an impediment to teaching as she has to be on long medical leave at times. Once, she had to be away for about 30 days.

Her dedication has touched many of her students, who write her notes of encouragement after tutorials and leave comments on her blog.

'An ex-student stayed by my bed when I was recovering from an operation and gave me teddy bears,' said the teacher.

She plans to teach as long as she can. 'It is challenging but it is also refreshing because you have to learn to do something in a new way or re-invent yourself.'

Stacey Chia

This article was first published in The Straits Times on Aug 3, 2008.