Caring for a sick child and a nursing baby at once – this is Bryan’s story, as shared by his mother.

Before We Could Even Process It

It all began with a discomfort in his chest. Bryan Anak Jackbon was only 8 years old when I brought him to Sibu Hospital. The doctors performed an X-ray, which revealed a mass in his lung. He was then referred for a CT scan, and the results confirmed that he had cancer. At that time, the doctors still couldn’t tell us what type of cancer it was.

Everything happened so quickly after we found out Bryan had cancer. He was referred immediately to Sarawak General Hospital in Kuching, and we had very little time to prepare. We were only given one day to pack our belongings and get ready to travel. I didn’t know how long we would be staying in Kuching, so I simply packed whatever I could.

After more tests in Kuching, we finally received the diagnosis. Bryan had rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare type of soft tissue cancer that develops in skeletal muscles.

Torn Between Two Children

To be honest, I was extremely stressed during that time. I did not have any friends or family in Kuching, and I also had a baby at home who was still breastfeeding. Both Bryan and my baby were equally important to me.

As a mother, I did not want to neglect my responsibilities towards either of my children. While accompanying Bryan throughout his treatment in Kuching, I continued to pump breast milk for my baby back home. Every two weeks, my husband would travel from Sibu to Kuching to collect the expressed breast milk and bring it home for our baby. It was not easy for our family, but we did everything we could to make sure both of our children received the care they needed.

I knew that to care for both of them, I first had to take care of myself. I tried not to overthink the situation and reminded myself to trust that everything would be alright. I focused on staying healthy and strong so that I would have the strength and energy to care for Bryan every step of the way.

A Home Away From Home

During our time in Kuching, we stayed at the SCCS Halfway Home for eight months. Being away from home was not easy, but SCCS made the journey much less overwhelming. They supported our family in so many ways, from providing accommodation and transportation to offering financial assistance and emotional support. Knowing that we were not facing this journey alone gave me the strength to keep going.

Personally, the most difficult moment was when Bryan had to undergo surgery. Before the operation, the doctor explained that the tumour could not be completely removed and that there was a possibility of relapse. Hearing those words as a mother broke my heart. I could not stop thinking about what the future might hold for Bryan and our family.

Despite everything he is going through, Bryan is still just a little boy. During the long days of treatment, he found comfort in playing mobile games, just like any other child his age. Whenever his appetite allowed, he would ask for his favourite meals – chicken curry and nasi lemak. Those little moments reminded me that beyond the hospital visits and treatments, he is still my cheerful little boy.

Thankfully, the surgery went better than we had expected. Only a small portion of the tumour remained attached, while most of it was successfully removed during the operation.

The Journey Continues At Home

Bryan then completed his first round of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery before we were finally able to return home to Sibu. One of the biggest changes I noticed was that he had gained several kilograms. Before coming to Kuching, he was very thin, but after months of treatment, seeing him become healthier again brought me so much joy.

Even after returning home, the journey did not end. Bryan was not allowed to return to school immediately after his first round of chemotherapy because I needed to monitor how his body responded to the treatment and watch for any side effects. His maintenance treatment in Sibu has actually been harder on him than the treatment he received in Kuching. He still attends regular follow-up appointments and receives chemotherapy at Sibu Hospital.

After a few months, Bryan is finally able to return to school. However, whenever he develops a fever after his chemotherapy sessions, he cannot go to school. Instead, I have to bring him to the hospital immediately for treatment and monitoring.

This is how fragile a cancer fighter’s body can be. Even a simple fever can become a serious concern during his journey.

Treasuring Every Healthy Day

Today, life has slowly returned to a new normal. My days are still busy as I juggle work, care for my other children, and bring Bryan for almost weekly hospital appointments. Although the journey has been difficult for our family, I have never once thought about giving up. No matter what happens, I will always be by Bryan’s side throughout his cancer journey.

Even though Bryan has completed his active treatment, the fear never completely goes away. There is always the worry that the cancer could return one day. That is why every follow-up appointment is so important, and why we continue to treasure every healthy day we have together.

A Message To Other Parents

Having experienced this journey myself, I want to encourage other parents who are walking the same path. Believe in your child and have confidence in their strength. They are far stronger than we sometimes realise. Your love, belief and support can give them the courage they need to keep fighting, one day at a time.