Qamarina

From being diagnosed with a brain tumour at just 10 years old, to becoming bedridden, and now making a miraculous recovery — Qamarina’s journey is a true symbol of resilience and strength. Her mother shares their story:

The First Signs
Qamarina, the third child among her siblings, is a sweet and loving young girl. At home, she always craved roti canai drenched with kicap Mahsuri, along with French fries and chicken floss. A rather unusual mix, but it was exactly what made her cheeky and adorable.

But in 2023, nothing could have prepared me for what was to come. Qamarina began to complain about being tired all the time. She had no appetite, wanted only to sleep, and soon started vomiting. Her walking became unsteady, and I noticed a strange look in her eyes, as if her vision was troubled.

On the first day of Hari Raya in 2023, Qamarina couldn’t stop vomiting. I took her to a private clinic, where the doctor referred her to Miri Hospital. My heart sank with worry.

She was admitted to Miri Hospital for blood tests and a scan. That was when we discovered the devastating news: there was a tumour in Qamarina’s brain. She was only 10 years old. I broke down, unable to imagine how serious this journey would be.

The Treatment Journey
Qamarina’s first surgery at Miri Hospital was to insert a shunt into her head. The doctors explained that the fluid in her brain could not flow properly, and her head had become swollen. She then needed another surgery to remove a sample of the tumour.

When the surgery was over, the doctor told us that Qamarina must be transferred to Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) in Kuching to begin treatment. She had been diagnosed with a suprasellar NGGCT brain tumour, a rare and aggressive type of tumour that grows in the suprasellar region of the brain.

After being admitted to SGH, she underwent another surgery to replace the shunt, as the first one had failed. But after this operation, the unimaginable happened. Qamarina became paralysed.

She was conscious and her eyes were open, but she couldn’t respond, move, or do anything. She was completely bedridden. The doctor told me she might remain paralysed for the rest of her life.

The journey was incredibly tough, but Qamarina bravely continued with her treatment. She went through six cycles of chemotherapy and 33 sessions of radiotherapy in Kuching.

The Struggles
When I learned that her treatment would require long stays in Kuching, I was torn. As a single mother, I worried endlessly about her three other siblings. Who would send them to school? Who would cook and care for them while I was away?

I felt overwhelmed and often questioned why this was happening to my daughter, to our family.

But in the middle of this storm, my family became my anchor. My mother stepped in to care for the children at home, and my eldest son took on the household responsibilities with such maturity. Their love and support reminded me that I was not alone.

Still, the hardest part was watching my daughter suffer. When she was bedridden, I had to bathe her, carry her to the bathroom, and feed her through a tube. It felt like caring for a newborn all over again, except this time with a heavy heart. That was the most painful part of our journey.

A Turning Point
In Kuching, we were introduced to the Sarawak Children’s Cancer Society (SCCS). Their support lifted a heavy burden from my shoulders. They provided financial aid, diapers, and milk powder, but more importantly, they gave me emotional strength. The team listened to me, encouraged me, and even organised parent support sessions.

At Ward 2A, I also met other parents facing battles of their own. Seeing them persevere reminded me that I wasn’t alone in my struggles. We encouraged each other every day, and I focused all my energy on doing the best for my daughter.

In October 2023, Qamarina completed her treatment in Kuching and we returned home to Miri. Though she was still weak, I never stopped talking to her, patiently believing she could hear me. Slowly, little by little, she improved. First, she moved her hands. Then she waved at us. Later, she could sit up, talk, and even walk again.

It was like witnessing a miracle unfold before my eyes. I took her out for walks, to the beach, to the park, even to the shopping mall. Each outing was a celebration of life.

Moving Forward
Today, Qamarina’s story is nothing short of a miracle. Doctors once said her chances of recovering were very slim, yet she proved everyone wrong. She is such a strong and resilient girl.

In 2024, our family was invited to join GoBald in Miri, where her eldest brother shaved his head in solidarity with children battling cancer. By then, Qamarina was walking steadily. Her strength gave us so much hope. Later that year, she even returned to school.

At SCCS’s Family Engagement Day in Miri, the team was amazed to see how far she had come. She was no longer the fragile girl they remembered from the ward, but a vibrant and healthy child full of life.

Even now, Qamarina continues to go for regular follow-ups at Miri Hospital, including MRI scans and blood tests. But her progress inspires us to keep moving forward with faith and hope.

She loves being back at school, surrounded by her friends. At home, she enjoys watching YouTube and playing with her younger sister.

To all parents who may be going through the same journey, I want to leave these words of encouragement: “Keep going. Parents must stay strong. If we are strong, our children will heal. And when our children are healthy, we too will be filled with joy.”

SARAWAK CHILDREN'S CANCER SOCIETY