Tracy

Cute little Tracy Senaie Anak Empeni was diagnosed with cancer at the tender age of 3 years old, yet her contagious singing and cheerful personality never fail to put a smile on the faces of everyone around her. Her mother recounts their story:

Symptoms and Diagnosis
My daughter Tracy is a bright and cheerful little girl who loves to play. Whether it’s riding her bicycle or giggling with her brother, she fills our home with laughter and song. She even has a passion for singing, often harmonising with her brother in moments that light up our hearts.

But one day, we noticed something alarming—Tracy started showing strange symptoms. She complained of pain in her ribs, her face grew pale, her fevers came and went unpredictably, and her mouth developed ulcers covered with little red dots.

We immediately took her to Bintulu Hospital, where she was admitted for four nights. The doctors ran blood tests and found something concerning in her blood, though at the time, they couldn’t confirm if it was cancer. Dr. Peter, the attending physician, referred us to Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) in Kuching. Tracy and I made the journey there by ambulance.

At SGH, my worst fears were confirmed. At only 3 years old, Tracy was diagnosed with Pre-B cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

Start of Treatment
On 22 January 2024, Tracy was admitted to SGH to begin chemotherapy. The journey has not been easy. During her chemo sessions, she often experienced fevers, and her legs grew weak and painful. Many nights, I found myself checking her temperature constantly or carrying her around the ward, leaving me with little sleep and rest.

In between treatments, Tracy must visit the daycare at the hospital three times a week. There, they either draw blood or wash her central venous line (CVL) (A thin, flexible tube that is placed into a large vein above the heart, making it easier to take blood samples or perform other procedures with minimum trauma to the child.)

It’s been over eight months since we left home, and we miss our family dearly. Tracy is the middle child, with an older brother who is eight and a younger sibling who is just nine months old. I feel the weight of being separated from them more and more each day. Tracy, especially close to her father, must be feeling the distance too.

Support from the Community
Despite everything, we’ve been blessed with incredible support from the community. While we’re not at the hospital, Tracy and I stay at the Sarawak Children’s Cancer Society (SCCS) Halfway Home in Kuching. It’s a safe place for families like ours who travel far from home for treatment.

SCCS has been there for us every step of the way, providing financial assistance and flight tickets so we can occasionally visit home. They also organise outings and activities to lift our spirits, from shopping trips to movie nights. The support services team runs counselling sessions and support groups for parents, helping us navigate the emotional challenges of this journey.

“Tracy is like sunshine. She’s pure, innocent, and full of energy. Whenever she sees me, she immediately runs over shouting ‘Cikgu! (Teacher!)’ with that cheerful spirit of hers,” said Shu Shan, SCCS Support Services Counsellor, with a smile. “She rarely throws tantrums. Her positivity encourages me. And she loves to sing.”

Shu Shan also remembers her first meeting Tracy’s mother, in the isolation room. “I could see the pain in her eyes, struggling to hold back tears. I gave her a leaflet on leukaemia to help her understand more. Over time, she’s found comfort, especially after connecting with other caregivers and finding strength in our shared experiences.”

An Encouraging Message
Tracy and I continue on this challenging journey, holding on to hope for the day she finishes her treatment and we can reunite with our family.

To other parents going through this difficult path, I want to offer a word of encouragement: “As mothers, we must stay strong and never lose hope.”

SARAWAK CHILDREN'S CANCER SOCIETY