{"id":5746,"date":"2024-10-04T17:04:52","date_gmt":"2024-10-04T09:04:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sccs.org.my\/?p=5746"},"modified":"2024-12-09T11:45:22","modified_gmt":"2024-12-09T03:45:22","slug":"afran","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sccs.org.my\/sccs\/2024\/10\/04\/afran\/","title":{"rendered":"Afran"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Afran Bin Abid hails from Sarikei, Sarawak, known for his toothy grin and rosy cheeks whenever posing for the camera. His mother recounts their story of travelling all the way to Kuching after finding out about his diagnosis:<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Symptoms<\/strong>
Afran, my lovely little boy, has always been full of energy. Whether he’s playing games on the phone or tossing around his favourite toy ball, he’s never bored for long. And when it comes to his cravings\u2014KFC fried chicken or nuggets\u2014he\u2019s never shy about letting us know!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In early 2023, I started noticing troubling changes. Afran was getting sick more often, with fevers almost every month, and his once bright complexion turned pale. What concerned me most were the bruises that seemed to appear too easily on his legs. Worried, I took him for a checkup at the Sarikei polyclinic, but they only gave him antibiotics, reassuring us it wasn\u2019t serious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, things didn\u2019t feel right, so I took Afran to the emergency room in Sarikei Hospital. Pea-sized lumps had begun to form on his body. From there, we were sent to Sibu Hospital, where tests revealed Afran had contracted Covid-19. He was admitted for two weeks, but when his platelet count didn\u2019t improve, the doctors suspected something more serious: blood cancer. Without delay, Afran was transferred to Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) in Kuching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adjusting to Life During Treatment<\/strong>
Within a day, we were in an ambulance heading to Kuching. The news sent shockwaves through our family. Some relatives even blamed me, suggesting I was somehow responsible for Afran\u2019s condition. We stayed in Kuching for three weeks while doctors took a bone marrow sample. The result was devastating: Afran had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL), and chemotherapy began immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After some time, we were able to return home to Sibu to continue Afran\u2019s treatment, staying at my father\u2019s house. But after two months with little improvement, we found ourselves back in Kuching, as Afran\u2019s condition remained unstable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adjusting to life during treatment was a challenge. Afran, once my little ball of sunshine, became moody and irritable, often throwing tantrums\u2014a side effect of the medication. I felt guilty every time I scolded him, knowing the burden he was carrying. The hardest part was being separated from the rest of our family, especially his little sister, who was only 8 months old when we first left for Kuching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Support from the Community<\/strong>
During our stay at the hospital, I was introduced to the Sarawak Children\u2019s Cancer Society (SCCS) and the incredible services they offer. Afran, only four at the time, was too young to grasp the seriousness of his illness, but SCCS was there for us every step of the way. They provided accommodation, financial aid, and arranged activities to keep Afran entertained. They also offered counselling sessions to help me cope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The SCCS Halfway Home became a sanctuary for us, and meeting other parents who were going through similar experiences was a blessing. Knowing I wasn\u2019t alone, that there were others who understood the exhaustion, the emotional toll\u2014it was a comfort I hadn\u2019t expected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Afran with Cikgu Shu Shan, SCCS Support Services Counsellor, during his stay at SCCS Halfway Home.<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

My husband was also my rock during this time, encouraging me not to listen to hurtful remarks and reminding me to trust the doctors and focus on getting Afran better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SCCS didn\u2019t just provide financial support\u2014they gave us moments of joy, organising outings, shopping trips, and movie trips. Their support services helped us navigate the emotional maze of this journey, with regular counselling sessions and support groups for parents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe call him Acheh\u2014a nickname his mum uses often,\u201d<\/em> says Shu Shan, one of the SCCS counsellors. \u201cAcheh is a sweet boy, though he can be a handful when he\u2019s on medication. He\u2019s active, always smiling for the camera, and enjoys his time at the hospital school. He loves the playroom too, especially when he\u2019s with Cikgu Xin Yi or Cikgu Trisha.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe\u2019s such a sweet and caring boy. Once he gets comfortable with you, he loves sharing stories and becomes incredibly affectionate. Every time I visited, he would climb onto my lap, always looking for a cuddle. My most cherished memory is from one day when we were playing together\u2014he suddenly came over, gave me a big hug, and kissed me. It\u2019s a moment I\u2019ll never forget,\u201d <\/em>says Xin Yi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Afran also found a special friend during his stay, someone close to his age, and together they brightened each other’s days.<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Latest Update<\/strong>
Today, Afran has completed his active cancer treatment and has finally returned home to Sibu, reunited with his family. Though follow-up visits to the hospital are still part of his life, both Afran and I are overjoyed to be home at last.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From Afran\u2019s mother<\/em>: \u201cI just hope Afran continues to stay happy and healthy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>
\n

Your donation is supporting kids like Afran on their cancer-fighting journey. From as low as only RM30\/month, you can help kids fight cancer!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sign up today for our Heart of Gold Monthly Donation Programme to help ensure children with cancer get access to the medical treatment and care they need to get better.

Childhood cancer is treatable, and your support can help save their lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Donate here<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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