Marcus

When Marcus was first diagnosed with cancer, his father, like many others, struggled to accept the reality of his son’s illness.  However, as they navigated the challenges of cancer treatment, the bond between father and son grew stronger than ever before. Mr. Khu, Marcus’ father, shares their journey:

Pain in His Legs 
The first time Marcus hurt his legs was during a physical education class at school. He had kicked his feet against the wall, but the injury quickly healed, and the swelling subsided. The second incident occurred when Marcus slipped while getting down from a chair on a slippery floor, hurting his legs again.

We didn’t think the fall was serious, as Marcus didn’t exhibit any symptoms for the first two days. However, on the third night, he experienced sudden pain in his legs, and the swelling did not subside as it had before. Marcus started having trouble walking properly, and the lump on his leg grew larger.

At first, we tried applying ointments, but the situation didn’t improve. Eventually, we took Marcus to the hospital, where we received the harrowing news of his diagnosis.

A Life-altering Diagnosis
Initially, we brought Marcus to a private hospital for a check-up. In April 2023, Marcus was admitted to Sibu Hospital for eight days. After further examinations, we were referred to Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) in Kuching, where Marcus was officially diagnosed with osteosarcoma. He was only seven years old at the time.

Osteosarcoma is the most common type of cancer that starts in the bones. It can develop in any bone, often near the ends of the leg or arm bones. Limited movement, bone pain, a lump, and unexplained fractures are the most common symptoms.

As his father, I accompanied Marcus throughout his treatment because my wife was pregnant with our youngest son. Initially, it was very hard for me to come to terms with the fact that Marcus had cancer. The doctor informed us that he might need to have his leg amputated if the cancer metastasised. However, he had to undergo chemotherapy first. Marcus and I reluctantly found ourselves in Kuching, leaving our family behind in Sibu so he could receive chemotherapy under the care of the pediatric oncologists at SGH.

Coping with Chemotherapy
The first time Marcus underwent chemotherapy, he experienced severe side effects such as vomiting, diarrhoea, and fevers. He often lost his appetite after sessions, refusing to eat or drink anything. Most of the time, I had to coerce him into eating and drinking.

Eventually, we received the devastating news that Marcus’ cancer had spread to his leg and even to his lungs. The doctors advised that his left leg would need to be amputated for him to survive. Faced with an impossible decision, I could only follow their recommendations. As long as Marcus had a chance at survival, any obstacle was but a small matter. The doctors had not given up hope and neither would we.

The surgeries left Marcus needing to lie down constantly, either in bed or in a wheelchair. This caused his leg to become weaker, necessitating physiotherapy to aid his healing and help him return to daily life.

Finding Support at Halfway Home
Outside of treatment, Marcus and I stayed at SCCS Halfway Home in Kuching. They provided us with food, accommodation, daily necessities, and monthly financial allowances. Without any relatives in Kuching, I was grateful for not having to worry about finding a place to stay or additional expenses, allowing Marcus to continue his treatment without financial strain.

At the centre, Marcus and I became well-acquainted with other caregivers and children. The SCCS Support Service team often planned outings and activities to lift our spirits, such as visits to the Borneo House Museum, Dinosaur in Borneo, and the Borneo Cultures Museum. These trips provided a much-needed break from our day-to-day routine.

As the sole breadwinner, I couldn’t continue working during Marcus’ treatment. Financial issues were just part of the challenges we faced. One of the toughest moments was being away when my wife gave birth to our son, Marcus’ baby brother. Although I was heartbroken to miss the birth, I was relieved that the delivery was successful and both mother and child were safe. I eagerly looked forward to completing Marcus’ treatment so we could reunite as a family.

One of the SCCS Support Services staff, Shu Shan, fondly recalled Marcus as an energetic and excitable young boy once you got to know him, and remembered Mr Khu as a wonderful cook. She recounted meeting Mr Khu for the first time in the hospital ward, where he was in emotional distress, struggling to cope with his worries and stress.

“Despite everything, Mr Khu took great care of his son, always making sure to be by Marcus’ side. He was also ready to lend a helping hand whenever we needed help at the centre, such as carrying heavy items or moving heavy furniture,” said Shu Shan, SCCS Support Services Counsellor.

Homecoming and Continued Support
In March 2024, both Marcus and I were overjoyed to finally return home. I was thrilled that Marcus could reunite with his mother and siblings, especially his new little brother. Marcus had also been fitted with a prosthetic leg, which he is still learning to use.

Recently, in April, the SCCS Support team made a trip to Sibu for Clinic Day. They met with Marcus, myself, and many other families who happily participated in the engagement activities. Marcus and I wore our usual bright smiles, and Marcus continued to display great friendships with fellow patients he had met in the ward.  

I look forward to the day when Marcus will be strong enough to resume school and enjoy normal activities, experiencing his childhood like the carefree child he is.

SARAWAK CHILDREN'S CANCER SOCIETY