At only 13 years old, sweet little Areena was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma on 27 December 2022, merely two days after Christmas. This is the story shared by her mother:
The Signs
Everyone who knows my daughter, Areena, would describe her as outgoing, friendly and laid-back, somebody who always had a big smile plastered on her face. We come from the outskirts of Miri where it’s a two-hour drive from our kampung (hometown) to the main town.
One day, an unusual lump growing near the top of her nose was brought to our attention when Areena complained about the pain. When we touched it, it felt hard as a bone. My husband and I got worried and promptly brought her to a nearby clinic for a checkup. The news that came after was nothing we could have foreseen.
The Diagnosis
Areena was first admitted into Miri General Hospital during August 2022. Initially, medical professionals scrambled to find the cause of the strange anomaly in her nose. My husband and I were equally nervous, not knowing the sort of news that might emerge.
We were eventually told that it was Ewing Sarcoma, a rare type of cancerous tumour that grows in the bones or the soft tissues surrounding the bones, such as the cartilage. The news came as a shock. I recalled the time we celebrated Areena’s birthday back in May, how perfectly healthy and happy she was. We couldn’t believe how quickly things changed in a span of a few months.
We were immediately referred to the Neurosurgical Department at Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) in Kuching for further treatments.
Areena and her family, in their hometown – Miri.
The Battles
After reaching SGH, Areena underwent surgery to remove the tumour in her nose. Subsequently, she was admitted into the Paediatric Oncology Ward 2A where she was instructed to receive chemotherapy for a year and radiotherapy for about a month. The whole ordeal kept us on our toes constantly. As her parent, I was heartbroken to see my child go through something like this, yet also amazed by her strength and resilience.
During chemotherapy sessions, Areena didn’t have much of an appetite and would be prone to occasional outbursts. I could only try to soothe her by telling her this would be over soon, that these treatments can help her get better. I needed to stay strong for my daughter, yet every time I saw her, my heart ached.
“I just want my child to be healthy.”
I was there by her side the whole time to make sure she could always find me when she needed me.
A Life Away from Home
During the days when Areena got discharged from the hospital, we would find ourselves at SCCS Halfway Home. We didn’t manage to bring much with us when we came to Kuching yet the SCCS team readily welcomed us with open arms.
They provided us with accommodation during the days Areena was discharged, transportation to and from the hospital, daily necessities like groceries, and even a care pack, which included a thermometer, a thermal flask, a measuring cup, body wash, shampoo, towels and cutleries. We could cook and do our laundry too and it made life away from home that little bit easier.
During this time, we also built strong relationships with the other caregivers and children staying at Halfway Home, the staff who supported us along the way and the doctors and nurses who worked so hard to provide the care Areena needed. The SCCS team provided emotional support to both of us and organised outdoor activities such as visits to The Borneo House Museum and Dinosaur in Borneo. I think it really helped to cheer her up.
The care we received touched us deeply and we couldn’t have done it without each of the support systems in place.
On the Road to Recovery
Now that the active treatment has been completed, Areena is back in Miri on break, enjoying her time with her friends and family whom she hasn’t seen for almost a year. Her cancer is currently in remission. Her next appointment will be in mid-December for her nose reconstruction surgery. Areena looks forward to going back to school soon.
As a message to all parents going through similar situations, “We as parents shouldn’t admit defeat easily, we need to do whatever is best for the well-being of our children.”
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