As told by Deo’s mother Deo’s Story: A Mother’s Hope Through the Hardest Days My son Christian Deo was only six years old when our world changed. Before his illness, Deo was just a little boy — obsessed with fried chicken and miniature cars, he was curious, playful, and adored silly dancing with his sisters. […]
As told by Deo’s mother
Deo’s Story: A Mother’s Hope Through the Hardest Days
My son Christian Deo was only six years old when our world changed.
Before his illness, Deo was just a little boy — obsessed with fried chicken and miniature cars, he was curious, playful, and adored silly dancing with his sisters. I never imagined that one day I would be learning big medical words or counting hospital visits instead of school days. When doctors told us Deo had Stage 4 Neuroblastoma, my heart broke in ways I didn’t know were possible.
From that moment on, our lives became a series of hospital rooms, long treatments, and quiet prayers.
TWO WEEKS OF SILENCE
Deo went through more than I ever thought a child could endure. Eight rounds of chemotherapy, two additional sessions, two surgeries, a stem cell transplant, fourteen radiotherapy sessions, and immunotherapy — a treatment we were told could give him a real chance at life.
Each step was frightening, exhausting, and filled with uncertainty. But Deo kept fighting, even on days when his little body was so tired.
There were moments that carried us through the hardest days. Seeing positive changes after his first chemotherapy gave us hope. After weeks of silence, hearing Deo laugh and smile again during his second round of treatment felt like a miracle.
Those small victories became everything to us.
Light in Our Darkest Days
Through all of this, Sarawak Children’s Cancer Society became our light.
To me, SCCS was like sunlight in the morning and moonlight at night — always there, quietly guiding us forward. They covered all of Deo’s medical treatment and costs, including immunotherapy. They helped us with accommodation, food supplies, and even arranged flights and taxi rides when we had to travel far from home to Kuala Lumpur for treatment.
Because of SCCS, I didn’t have to choose between my child’s life and money. I could focus fully on what mattered most — being there for Deo.
The Strength of Family and Community
While Deo and I were away for treatment, his siblings stayed back in the village with their grandmother. Her love and care helped hold our family together during this difficult time.
At the hospital and the SCCS Centre, teachers, staff, other parents, and caregivers became our extended family. In Ward 2A, we shared fears, tears, encouragement, and hope. We reminded each other that none of us were walking this journey alone.
There were days when I felt tired, sad, and overwhelmed. On those days, I learned to slow down — to pray, to listen to music, or to sit quietly and breathe.
I learned that patience and positivity are important, especially as a child’s behaviour changes during treatment. I learned to stay attentive, to keep learning about my child’s illness, and to show love in every small moment.
Deo’s journey reminds me that children are stronger than we think. And that hope can grow even in the darkest places, when people come together with compassion.
Our story is just one of many. Treatments today are advanced and costly, but they also give children like Deo a real chance at life. I am deeply grateful to SCCS and to every donor and supporter who made this possible.
Because of them, families like mine never have to face this journey alone.
And because of them, my son still has hope.
