No matter how difficult life is, having a family as support can cure all diseases. A Hong Kong mother was diagnosed with lung cancer 4 years ago. She was under extreme physical and mental stress during her battle with cancer, however she was fortunate to have the company and support of her family and successfully survived chemotherapy. Unexpectedly, the cancer cells spread to her brain two years later and her life was once again put to the test.
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She decided to divorce after suffering from cancer
Shirley, a 49-year-old single mother from Hong Kong, published an article in “Little Red Book” to share her four-year cancer battle journey. 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 she had the disease, but she immediately received electrotherapy and chemotherapy and began a six-month treatment, which she described as “very tough”. On the one hand, her body endures the pain and side effects of chemotherapy. On the other hand, her husband ignored her and she was psychologically subjected to various pressures from her family and her life. Subsequently, she decided to divorce and raise a couple of children on her own.
“Those six months were really difficult. The chemotherapy process was very difficult. Furthermore, my husband at the time ignored me, my family, my two children and even money. So I had to consult a psychiatrist to ask for help. I have solved thousands of problems and stresses.”
Second chemotherapy for cancer cells in the brain is ineffective
After completing her first chemotherapy, Shirley’s lung cancer was finally under control. Unexpectedly, two years later, she suddenly suffered from cramps while having dinner with her friends. After being admitted to hospital again for tests, it was discovered that the tumor cells had “brain metastases”: there were two brain tumors and high-dose electrotherapy was required immediately. Despite resuming her fight against cancer, Shirley still faced it head on, but the second chemotherapy failed to effectively suppress the cancer cells. In early 2023, her doctor advised her to undergo brain surgery to remove one of the brain tumors, but after the operation she would still need to receive immunotherapy injections. The doctor also prepared her mentally, telling her that the treatment would cause side effects on her body, such as brown urine, asthma and skin inflammation, and that she needed to be informed immediately. Shirley admitted that at that time she was under great mental pressure both physically and mentally: she was very tense and could not relax emotionally.
“Every time I go to the bathroom, 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 greatest support on the road to fighting cancer
Subsequent immunotherapy brings with it many consequences, such as slow response, slurred speech, fatigue, and continued tumor growth. Shirley was very disappointed at that time: not only did she have to endure physical discomfort after the treatment, but she also had to pay expensive medical bills. Faced with a double blow, Shirley still actively values herself and obtains certificates as a French florist, mediator and perfumer, during this period she personally takes care of the daily life of her two children. She described her children and her parents as her “greatest support on the road to fighting cancer.” She was very grateful that her children were very sensitive. In addition to actively and consciously sharing housework, they also encouraged their mother who was fighting cancer all the time. time.
Try it and go abroad for cell therapy
Later, by chance, Shirley learned that cell therapy was available overseas and decided to try it. Two months after starting the new course of treatment, the results were very significant, the size of the tumor was reduced by half, he said that “out of 8 tumor cells only 4 remained” and “the end point can finally be view”. Her condition improved, and Shirley was moved to tears after hearing the good news.
“In recent years I have never cried because of this disease. In fact, I have shed tears of joy!”
In early January this year, after another check-up, Shirley received good news: “The doctor immediately congratulated me,” she said. After starting cell therapy, the tumor shrank significantly, describing it as a miracle. She hopes to share her experience and encourage cancer patients as someone who has experienced it: “As long as there is hope and faith, 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 the most common
According to the Taiwan Cancer Foundation, tumors from any organ can metastasize to the brain. In adults, lung cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, kidney cancer, and melanoma are the most common. Among these, lung cancer is the most common: approximately 10-20% of patients with non-small cell lung cancer already have brain metastases when they are first diagnosed with lung cancer. Subsequently, approximately 20-30% of patients also develop brain metastases. 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 produce no obvious symptoms when the lesions are small and there is no obvious edema in the brain tissue next to the tumor, or when brain metastases are located in the frontal or temporal lobes of the brain. . Patients experiencing the following top 10 symptoms should be alert if they have brain metastases:
- heachache
- nausea
- Vomit
- language skills
- hearing
- vision changes
- weakness of the limbs
- epilepsy
- altered consciousness
- Changes in mental status 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 1-4 months, however in recent years new drugs have been continuously introduced, especially for brain metastases from lung or breast cancer, which can often extend the survival period up to more than 2 or 3 years.
Content reproduced with permission from Shirley.
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