By Zureena Habib

For 53 years, Madam Dolly Kong (above), now 71, made do with only a quarter of her stomach. Then, two years ago, she lost the rest of it.

It was in 1955, at the age of 18, that she had three-quarters of her stomach removed after she was diagnosed with gastric ulcers.

In 2006, she was found to have stomach cancer and the rest of it was removed.

She allowed it to be donated for cancer research.

Between the two stomach operations, she was diagnosed with diabetes in 1981 and suffered a stroke in 1989.

All through her ordeals, however, she remained strong and her zest for life is apparent in her independence and her love offood.

'I must have chilli when I eat, otherwise I do not have the appetite,' said the part-Peranakan (Straits-born) woman, who relishes her assam ikan (fish curry).

Given her condition, it is important for Madam Kong to remind herself to eat just the right amount. Food now goes straight from her gullet to her small intestine.

Despite her health problems, she still takes a 15-minute walk from her home in Commonwealth Avenue to the Tanglin Halt market almost daily.

When she hankers for durians, she will buy three of the fruit for about $10 from the market and lug them home.

Her left leg is weak due to the stroke but a determined Madam Kong takes a bus and train ride to the Lavender food court every week just to eat her favourite beef noodles.

'I can eat only a little at a time though or I will be sick,' she said.

She relishes her independence. After church on Sundays, she goes to Chinatown and walks around for three or four hours to window-shop - again, all on her own.

When tired, she goes to a coffee shop to relax over a cup of teh-c (tea with evaporated milk), as she cannot have sugar due to her diabetes.

Despite her activities, Madam Kong does not think she is fit and regrets not being able to dance like she did when she was younger.

The widow and mother of two daughters dotes on her six grandchildren. Every Wednesday, she picks up granddaughter Konstanze, 11, from school and makes her a meal.

Madam Kong is determined to continue living on her own, said her 45-year-old daughter who did not want to be named. She explained that her mother had stated her preference even after her last surgery.

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