Personal sharing by brave fighter Jia Xuan
“I still vividly remember my parents’ reactions when the doctor informed us that I was diagnosed with cancer. At that time, I was only 10 years old. They were in shock and confused – I guess we were all feeling surreal that this was happening to us.”
In 2018, Jia Xuan was diagnosed with Anaplastic Large B-Cell Lymphoma (LBCL), a type of blood cancer.
“One of the earliest symptoms I noticed was a rapid swelling in my neck. It was painless at first, but sometimes touching it would trigger pain. So I tried to apply some Chinese traditional medicine on the swollen area, hoping that it would soothe it. It got worse so my parents brought me to consult a doctor at a clinic in Serian. I was then referred to the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) in Kuching for further check-up.”
In the process of determining her diagnosis, Jia Xuan had to go through several blood tests, a CT scan, an MRI scan and a bone marrow biopsy.
“Taking these tests and scans was very mentally draining. There were numerous trips and visits to the hospital. Most of the time, we didn’t know what was happening. We just followed instructions and went where the doctors and nurses told us to go. However, I remember feeling very glad to have my parents with me at every step of the journey.”
To get better, Jia Xuan went through many sessions of chemotherapy.
“My first few sessions of chemotherapy were tough. I told myself to stay brave because going for treatment meant that I was one step closer to getting treated.”
“The most difficult experience for me in this was actually the bone marrow biopsy. The medical team had to insert a small needle into my bones to remove a small sample of the bone marrow for testing. It was very painful and unbearable for me.”
When asked about what kept her going in her fight, Jia Xuan answered that her biggest support system was her family and friends.
“My friends and family gave me the courage of wanting to complete my treatment so that I could recover as soon as possible. They are my motivation and my biggest supporters.”
“When I was going through treatment at the ward, SCCS staff were always there to encourage me and to keep my fighting spirits up. I received a lot of gifts and it was so much fun playing with all the toys at the ward’s playroom. They made life at the ward a lot more cheerful and bearable.”
“Insist on finishing your treatment and don’t give up. If I can do it, so can you. That is my message to all the little fighters.”
It took Jia Xuan seven months to complete her treatment. She is turning 14 in 2023 and now continues her monthly follow-up care at SGH.
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