Qasseh

Two years ago, Qasseh underwent major brain surgery. This is Qasseh today in a photo provided by her mother, surrounded by gifts from donors and sponsors who continue to wish her all the best.  Her mum shares their story:

The Symptoms
You wouldn’t believe that the cheerful girl my daughter is today if you had met her two years ago.

In September 2022, Qasseh complained of persistent headaches and frequent dizziness. She also started displaying changes in her behavior – a loss of appetite, irritability and mood swings to name a few. Her vision had even started to deteriorate. The real alarm came one morning when Qasseh woke up and immediately began vomiting. 

Deeply concerned, I wasted no time and promptly took her to the hospital. Up till that point, we had no idea what was wrong.

Heartbreaking Diagnosis
Our first visit to Sarikei Hospital yielded no answers, with only Panadol prescribed for her symptoms. But during a second visit, the situation turned critical. Qasseh was admitted to the emergency department’s red zone as her blood pressure and oxygen levels plummeted. She became unusually quiet and withdrawn—behaviour so uncharacteristic that I wondered if it was a mental health issue and even considered seeking a psychiatrist’s help.

It wasn’t until an MRI was conducted that the devastating truth emerged: a tumour in her brain. By December 5, we were referred to Sibu Hospital, where she underwent a major craniotomy just three days later. The operation lasted almost 10 hours.

During her admission to Sibu Hospital, another hardship struck. At 3 a.m., worried about our other children, my husband drove back to Bintangor—and was involved in a car accident. Though he was unhurt, the car was severely damaged. The weight of everything—the surgery, the accident, the uncertainty—was almost too much to bear.

After spending nearly 15 days at Sibu Hospital, we were finally discharged. But that wasn’t the end of our journey—it was merely the beginning. The next step was preparing for a flight to Kuching for further treatment. The diagnosis: Sellar Germinomatous Germ Cell Tumor, a type of brain tumour.

At first, I couldn’t bring myself to tell Qasseh the full truth about her condition. How do you explain something so life-altering to a 9-year-old? But with encouragement from Dr. Ben at Sibu Hospital, I mustered the courage to tell her. To my surprise, she accepted it with remarkable maturity. She understood the need for treatment but was adamant she didn’t want another surgery.

Starting Treatment
We spent a few precious days with our family before heading to Sarawak General Hospital in Kuching. On December 25, 2022, Qasseh began her treatment, which involved four cycles of chemotherapy and 30 rounds of radiotherapy.

I recall the most challenging moment was when Qasseh refused to eat. The chemotherapy left her weak and often silent. Though I understood this, I couldn’t help but feel stressed as she needed to eat to be strong enough to continue her treatment. In my frustration, I sometimes scolded her, only to feel immense guilt afterwards and apologise. 

There were also times when she couldn’t stop vomiting, leaving her unable to eat solid food. She could only manage plain water and powdered milk, which made the situation even more heartbreaking and difficult for both of us.

Finding Strength in the Community
I must admit, I was overwhelmed with worry since the day I found out about Qasseh’s diagnosis. Whenever she lost her appetite and refused to eat, I often found myself not eating either. It was a difficult time – physically, mentally and emotionally.

Through it all, Qasseh’s unwavering spirit inspired me the most. Despite the pain and challenges, she never shed a tear during her hospital stays. Her quiet resilience in the face of cancer gave me the strength to carry on, reminding me that as her mother, I had to stay strong for her.

I also found solace in the community around me. Sharing my struggles with other caregivers at the hospital became a source of comfort. Their words of encouragement lifted me during the darkest moments.

The Sarawak Children’s Cancer Society (SCCS) also played a pivotal role. Despite not staying at the SCCS Halfway Home, SCCS’ constant support and care kept us going throughout this journey. Their services meant so much to both me and Qasseh during our treatment in Kuching, making this challenging time a little more manageable.

On the Road to Recovery
On May 16, 2023, we finally heard the words we had been waiting for: treatment was complete, and we could go home. But the journey didn’t end there. Follow-ups at Sibu Hospital every two months and MRIs every six months are now a routine part of life. Certain medications will also remain a lifelong necessity for Qasseh’s health.

Despite these challenges, Qasseh has returned to school, embracing life with enthusiasm. Her classmates are kind and supportive, often helping her carry her belongings. Though she is the smallest in her class, she has never felt sad or lacked confidence, even winning a prize during a spelling competition at school! She can even take her own medication by herself at school. No words could express how proud I was of her.

My little girl also gives her best in her academics, achieving impressive results and even winning a prize in her school’s spelling competition. Once aspiring to be a teacher, she now wants to become a doctor—working hard towards her goal, a testament of her determination and resilience.

In her free time, Qasseh enjoys drawing and reading storybooks. She shares a special bond with her younger brother and enjoys being pampered by her father. Her stories about school and playful moments with her brother light up our home with joy.

A Message to Other Parents

I am overjoyed to see Qasseh more motivated and healthier. While certain medications and follow-ups are lifelong commitments, her progress has been nothing short of remarkable.  I’m also grateful that I can now focus fully on all my children, knowing that their sibling bond is as strong as ever.

I’m also comforted to see Qasseh surrounded by teachers and friends who offer their unwavering support for my daughter. Though the doctors have informed me of the risks of a relapse, we try not to dwell on that. 

To parents facing similar challenges, I offer this: It’s okay to feel overwhelmed or cry – these emotions are a natural part of the journey. But what’s most important is knowing when to stop and not letting the sadness consume you. Find the strength to rise above it, for your child needs your resilience as much as your love.

While others can offer encouragement and motivation, ultimately, it’s up to us to transform our sorrow into strength and use it to keep moving forward—for ourselves and for our children.

SARAWAK CHILDREN'S CANCER SOCIETY