Surviving Cancer with Family Support: Shirley’s Journey

2024-01-28 02:20:00

No matter how difficult life is, having family as your backing can cure all illnesses. A Hong Kong mother was diagnosed with lung cancer 4 years ago. She was under extreme physical and mental stress during the cancer battle. However, she was fortunate to have the company and support of her family and successfully survived the chemotherapy. Unexpectedly, the cancer cells spread to the brain two years later, and his life was tested again.

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Decided to divorce after suffering from cancer

The 49-year-old single Hong Kong mother Shirley “little red book” Posted an article to share the journey of fighting cancer for 4 years. Shirley is a designer with two children, and her life was normal until 2019, when she was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma. She was shocked when she learned that she had the disease, but she quickly received electrotherapy and chemotherapy and began a six-month treatment, which she described as “very hard.” On the one hand, the body endures the pain and side effects of chemotherapy. On the other hand, her husband ignored her, and she was psychologically under various pressures from family and life. Later, she decided to divorce and raise a pair of children alone.

“Those six months were really difficult. The chemotherapy process was very difficult. In addition, my husband at the time ignored me, my family, my two children, and even money. So I had to see a psychiatrist for help. I solve thousands of problems and stress.”

The second chemotherapy for cancer cells in the brain is ineffective

After completing the first chemotherapy, Shirley’s lung cancer was finally under control. Unexpectedly, two years later, she suddenly suffered from cramps while dining with friends. After being readmitted to the hospital for examination, it was discovered that the cancer cells had “brain metastases”. There were two tumors in the brain, and high-dose electrotherapy was required immediately. Although the fight against cancer was restarted, Shirley still faced it head-on. However, the second chemotherapy failed to effectively suppress the cancer cells. In early 2023, the attending doctor recommended that she undergo brain surgery to remove one of the brain tumors. She would still need to receive immunotherapy injections after the operation. The doctor also prepared her mentally, saying that the treatment would cause side effects on her body, such as brown urine, asthma, and skin inflammation, and she needed to be informed immediately. Shirley admitted that she was under great mental pressure both physically and mentally at that time. She was very tense and could not relax emotionally.

“Every time I go to the toilet, I have to check whether the color of my urine is normal. I feel very nervous because of the itching on my body, like a mental patient.”

The biggest support on the road to fighting cancer

Subsequent immunotherapy brings many sequelae, such as slow response, slurred speech, fatigue, and continued tumor growth. Shirley was very disappointed at the time. Not only did she have to endure the physical discomfort after the treatment, but she also had to pay expensive medical expenses. Faced with a double blow, Shirley still actively enhanced herself and obtained certificates as a florist, mediator and French perfumer. During this period, she personally took care of the daily life of her two children. She described her children and parents as her “biggest support on the road to fighting cancer.” She was very grateful that her children were very sensible. In addition to actively and consciously sharing housework, they also encouraged their mother who was fighting cancer all the time.

Give it a try and go abroad for cell therapy

Later, by chance, Shirley learned that cell therapy was available abroad and decided to give it a try. Two months after starting the new course of treatment, the results were very significant. The tumor size was reduced by half. He said that “there are only 4 cancer cells left out of 8” and “the end point can finally be seen.” Her condition improved. Shirley was moved to tears after hearing the good news.

“In the past few years, I have never cried because of this disease. I actually shed tears of joy!”

In early January this year, Shirley received good news after another follow-up visit. “The doctor immediately congratulated me,” he said. After starting cell therapy, the tumor shrank a lot, describing it as a miracle. She hopes to share her own experience and encourage cancer patients as a person who has experienced it, “As long as there is hope and confidence, there is no dead end.” Many netizens were moved by her experience and encouraged and blessed each other to defeat cancer together.

Brain metastases from lung cancer are most common

According to the Taiwan Cancer Foundation, cancers of any organ may metastasize to the brain. In adults, lung cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, kidney cancer and melanoma are the most common. Among them, lung cancer is the most common. About 10% to 20% of patients with non-small cell lung cancer already have brain metastases when they are first diagnosed with lung cancer. Later, about 20% to 30% of patients also develop brain metastases during the development of the disease. Condition.

Dr. Xiong Peiwei, director of the Department of Radiation Oncology at Yadong Memorial Hospital in Taiwan, explained that brain metastases often do not produce obvious symptoms when the lesions are small and there is no obvious edema in the brain tissue next to the tumor, or when the brain metastases are located in the frontal or temporal lobes of the brain. . Patients who have the following 10 major symptoms should pay attention to whether they have brain metastasis:

  • headache
  • nausea
  • Vomit
  • language skills
  • hearing
  • vision changes
  • limb weakness
  • epilepsy
  • altered consciousness
  • Changes in mental state or behavior (for example, a tumor compresses the prefrontal or temporal lobes of the brain, or affects personality, mood, concentration, hearing, or memory)

If brain metastases are not treated, the average life expectancy is only 1 to 4 months. However, in recent years, new drugs have been continuously introduced, especially for brain metastases from lung cancer or breast cancer, which can often extend the survival period to more than 2 to 3 years.

Content has been obtainedShirleyReprinted with permission.

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