Adryan

Adryan, or “Oden” as his father lovingly calls him, is a bright, cheerful boy who fills his family with warmth and laughter. His father shares their journey:

The Symptoms
We are from Kanowit, Sibu. Oden is my eldest son, a very warm and talkative young boy. Never could  I have imagined such a storm would sweep into his life, let alone ours.

Yet, in December 2023, we began noticing unsettling signs that something was wrong. Oden started experiencing frequent fevers, joint and muscle pain, and extreme fatigue. His once rosy complexion turned pale, and he seemed to bruise more easily, with bleeding that stopped abruptly. Taking Oden to a private clinic only curbed his fever for a few days, and he also lost considerable weight during this time. He was no longer fit enough to attend school anymore.

The doctor at the private clinic then referred him to Hospital Kanowit, and then a bigger hospital like Sibu Hospital when Oden’s condition did not improve. Then, the doctors recommended further tests to be done and we subsequently ended up at Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) in Kuching.

Receiving Unexpected News
On September 5, 2023, Oden, just 12 years old, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL), a type of childhood cancer affecting the blood and bone marrow. Hearing this diagnosis was like being struck by lightning—I was in shock and disbelief.

Treatment began immediately with chemotherapy. My greatest worry was being unable to be there for Oden. As a police officer stationed in Sabah, I was far from home when I heard the news of his diagnosis, I was initially unable to care for him. Thankfully, my younger sister, who had returned to visit from studying, stepped in during those early days of treatment.

Once I adjusted my work commitments, I took time off to be with Oden. Moving to Kuching to support him through his treatment was emotionally challenging, but I knew it was what he needed most.

Starting Treatment
For me, one of the most difficult parts of this journey was encouraging Oden to eat. A picky eater by nature, he only wanted specific foods that he would eat every day, often rejecting healthier options. I, of course, worry that he’s not getting enough nutritional value out of his diet, and that his blood levels would not improve. All I could do was to try my best to encourage him to add more nutritious variety to his diet, though he frequently refuses.

Despite the challenges, Oden handled his treatment remarkably well. Even while on Dexa medication, which can cause mood swings, he remained steady and good-natured. Watching him respond well to treatment and regain his energy was a huge relief. Over time, I saw my son slowly return to his cheerful, talkative self.  He was also slowly gaining weight again. I was very proud of him.

Support from SCCS
During Oden’s treatment journey, we were introduced to the Sarawak Children’s Cancer Society (SCCS), where we stayed at the SCCS Halfway Home in Kuching. SCCS has been such an enormous help by providing us with not only a comfortable environment to rest during gaps between Oden’s chemotherapy cycles, but also transport to and from SGH, counselling sessions with the teachers and many recreational activities like family outings, festive celebrations and more to keep our spirits up.

As Oden and I were from Kalowit, Sibu, Kuching felt somewhat foreign to us. The centre introduced us to other residents in the same boat, children and their caregivers also hailing from different areas across Sarawak. It gave me great comfort to be surrounded by such a helpful and understanding community while we go through this arduous journey, greatly reducing any more stressful burdens in already trying times. The doctors and nurses also provided me with selfless support and encouraging words.

Xin Yi, an SCCS Support team member, shared her impressions of Oden: “He’s a sweet, happy-go-lucky boy. While he might seem quiet initially, he opens up quickly and becomes quite the chatterbox! He handled his treatment with such resilience, and I’m very happy to see that he also gets along well with other kids his age here, such as Hakim, Benneth and Davise.”

She continued, “Even though he misses his late pet cat dearly, who unfortunately passed away during his treatment when he was away from home, he finds comfort with his father here. They would hold each others’ hands whenever Oden needed to visit the doctor, and they frequently wore matching outfits to support each other. His father would always take photos of happy occasions during treatment,  trying his best to leave good memories for Oden.”

Homecoming and Continued Support

In September 2024, after a year of treatment, Oden and I returned home to Kanowit, reuniting with his younger brother and our family. Though he still requires regular follow-ups at Sibu Hospital, Oden has resumed school, attending part-time as he rebuilds his strength.

I have also returned to my post as a police officer and successfully transferred to a location nearer to home. I’m now able to visit Kanowit on almost a weekly basis. In the meantime, Oden is under the care of his grandparents.

Oden is also thriving, eating his favourite kampua mee every day and going fishing with me in cooler weather. Even now, the support from SCCS and healthcare providers continues. Nurses frequently check in on Oden, offering encouragement and guidance. This ongoing care has been a source of strength for both of us.

A Message to Other Parents
To all parents navigating this difficult journey, I urge you to stay resilient and hopeful. Believe in your child’s ability to recover and never give up. With the right support and determination, we can overcome these challenges together.

This coming December, the SCCS team and Dr Betty will make a visit to Sibu for Clinic Day, where they will meet Oden and his father again to follow up on their journey of recovery.

SARAWAK CHILDREN'S CANCER SOCIETY