Noel

Noel was just 1 year and 9 months old when he was diagnosed with cancer. Hailing from Miri, neither father nor son could have foreseen the storm ahead when Noel began showing unusual symptoms. His father shares their journey:

The Symptoms
Emmanuel Noel Anak Chat, or Noel as I always call him, is my firstborn, and the apple of my eye. He was always a cheerful little fella, and people always commented on how we looked so much alike. 

However, in December last year, my wife and I noticed something troubling: Noel was frequently having fevers, his stomach was bloated, and he seemed unusually tired. We took him to Miri Hospital for a checkup, and the doctors quickly referred us to Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) in Kuching for more tests.

Receiving Unexpected News
In January 2024, we received devastating news—Noel was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL), a common type of childhood cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. I was in complete shock.

I thought we were just going to Kuching to figure out the cause of his symptoms. I never imagined it would be something as terrifying as cancer. I didn’t even know children could get cancer—I always thought it was something that only affected adults.

At first, I was overwhelmed and confused. I couldn’t process the diagnosis and even considered taking Noel home, but the doctors explained that he needed immediate treatment. They said we would have to stay in Kuching for at least six months—maybe longer—until his treatment was completed.

The news shattered me. How could my son have cancer? I was lost and struggling to accept reality.

Thankfully, the hospital staff patiently explained Noel’s condition and the importance of starting treatment right away. Other parents in the ward also shared their experiences with me, which helped me realise that, yes, children can get cancer—but they can also get better with the right treatment.

Beginning Treatment

Noel began his treatment, and we were introduced to the Sarawak Children’s Cancer Society (SCCS). We stayed at the SCCS Halfway Home in Kuching. Meanwhile, my wife, pregnant with our second child, stayed back in Miri. Noel was on medications like Dexamethasone, which made him irritable and emotional. He often had intense cravings and wild requests, but I did my best to stay patient with him.

It was an incredibly difficult time. Not only was I away from my family, but I also missed the birth of our second son, Noel’s younger brother. Thankfully, the birth went smoothly, and both my wife and son are healthy. 

Noel’s routine involved being admitted to the ward for chemotherapy sessions, or visiting the daycare for blood tests. But what lifted my spirits was seeing his progress. His chemotherapy went smoothly, and I could see him becoming more active and energetic. Before treatment, he was pale and weak, but slowly, my cheerful little boy began to return.

Support from SCCS

SCCS was a lifeline for us. They provided us with a place to stay during Noel’s treatment, helped us financially, and offered transportation to and from the hospital. They also provided emotional and mental support, such as organising family outings for us to have fun and take our minds off the difficult times.

Ming Ming, the SCCS Support Services Manager, remarked, “Noel and his father look so much alike. Bapa Noel is always so patient. Even when Noel gets fussy due to his medications, his father never loses his cool. He’s always smiling, doing his best to care for Noel.”

Xin Yi, another SCCS staff member, shared, “Noel loves to eat! He’s always asking for his favourite foods, like KFC fried chicken and mashed potatoes. I remember one funny moment when he shaped his clay into french fries and tried to eat them! Despite being on treatment, he’s kept his appetite, which is a good sign. He’s a very active boy—he loves playing with the toy crane in the playroom and is always by his father’s side. It’s great to see him responding so well to treatment.

Homecoming and Continued Support

In August 2024, Noel completed his active treatment, and we returned home to Miri, reuniting with our family. Noel still needs regular follow-ups twice a month at Miri Hospital and must continue his medication.

Being back home is a relief. I look forward to returning to work and sending Noel to school by 2026. To all parents going through this journey—stay strong, don’t give up, and always encourage your children.

The SCCS team and Dr Betty will make a visit to Miri for Clinic Day this December, to follow up on Noel’s progress and see how the family’s doing. 

SARAWAK CHILDREN'S CANCER SOCIETY