When I was first diagnosed with cancer, I was 21 years old. At such a young age, I never thought that I would suffer such a misfortune.

Cancer makes me sleepless and restless. 
Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are not my ideal choice.

My name is Michael Sanjaya Irawan, I am 27 years old and I am from Surabaya, Indonesia.

（Michael Sanjaya Irawan）

In September 2017, I found a lump on my neck. Because it was only inflamed occasionally, I didn't pay much attention to it and let it develop. I ignored it for a year. In August 2018, I started to cough and have pain in the thoracic spine. I thought it was just a common cough, so I chose to take expectorant and cough medicine to try to relieve it. However, until the beginning of December, these symptoms gradually became more serious; the lump continued to grow to 2x2cm, and my cervical spine began to ache. In severe cases, the pain all over my body would make me unable to sleep, so I felt something was wrong and immediately went to the doctor for a check-up.

At the local hospital, the doctor initially diagnosed me with lung cancer based on my CT scan results and suggested that I undergo a biopsy to confirm the condition. After the diagnosis, I would undergo surgery or chemotherapy. After that, I went to see other local doctors, and they all suggested that I undergo chemotherapy, saying that my survival rate was very low. Hearing this answer, I was extremely struggling. The only treatment methods available locally were not my ideal choice. I was unwilling to endure the pain of the great side effects of traditional treatments, and I was also worried that the situation would get worse.

For a while, I fell into infinite anxiety and fear. I knew the economic conditions of my family and wanted to give up treatment, but my parents did not give up on me. Instead, they continued to find various channels and methods for me. As a result, I gradually mustered up the courage to face cancer bravely.

By chance, I learned about St. Stamford Modern Cancer Hospital Guangzhou through a relative. After searching for information online and consulting with the local International Service Center in detail, I immediately made up my mind to go to St. Stamford Modern Cancer Hospital Guangzhou for minimally invasive treatment. I thought, maybe this is the ideal treatment method in my heart.

Minimally invasive interventional therapy helped me clear my tumor
Regain my former vitality

In December 2018, my family and I came to St. Stamford Modern Cancer Hospital Guangzhou. When I was first admitted to the hospital, I became extremely haggard and weak due to the pain and coughing day after day. After a series of inpatient examinations such as biopsy, I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma stage IV with multiple metastases in the axilla, lungs, etc., and the size of the tumor in the sternum was about 12.52x6.44x8.17cm. After getting the test results, the hospital's MDT discussed my specific situation. In the end, they developed a minimally invasive treatment plan for me.

The first time I came into contact with minimally invasive treatment, I was worried, and because of my inner doubts, I asked the doctor again and again. The doctor would patiently explain to me in the most popular words possible to make me understand. Interventional therapy is an upgrade based on systemic chemotherapy. It only treats the lesions. Therefore, it has the advantages of strong targeting, less trauma, fewer side effects, and a low risk of metastasis. For patients in the middle and late stages of cancer, especially those who dare not or cannot accept traditional surgery and chemotherapy, it can achieve the purpose of completely killing cancer cells while protecting normal cells.

I was still a little nervous when I first had interventional therapy, but the good news is that after the first course of treatment, the obvious multiple tumors in the armpits disappeared. Later, during the entire treatment process, my body slowly returned to normal. Not only did I not experience side effects like chemotherapy, but the neck and axillary lymph nodes also gradually shrank, the cough disappeared, and the pain in the thoracic and cervical spine was greatly reduced! After eight courses of interventional therapy, all the tumors in my body were cleared, and there was no trace of the tumor metabolism images previously seen under PET CT!

When the doctor told me the good results, I was filled with joy and excitement, as if it was a dream! I think I am lucky, I have found the most ideal treatment for me!

Returning to “home” with gratitude
May peace and happiness last forever

After saying goodbye to cancer, I returned to normal life and work, always cherishing every day with a grateful heart. To this day, I have successfully fought cancer for more than 6 years. On November 22, 2024, I was also invited to return to the hospital as an anti-cancer warrior to participate in the "2024 Southeast Asian Anti-Cancer Stars Return to Base Activity". At the event, I shared my story and experience with everyone, hoping to provide everyone with new treatment ideas, regain courage, and light up the hope in their hearts.

After I successfully fought cancer, I wanted to bring this luck to more cancer patients. On September 18, 2024, I was invited to participate in the anti-cancer sharing event at the Surabaya International Service Center of St. Stamford Modern Cancer Hospital Guangzhou. On that day, I shared my anti-cancer experience and feelings with the patients and their families present, encouraging them not to give up and actively fight cancer. In addition, I also engaged in a career that I think is meaningful: working in the insurance industry, setting up my own TikTok account to share anti-cancer stories because I think that I have received light and hope to pass on light, even if it can only illuminate one side, it is enough.

Every sharing and delivery makes my thoughts flow, and the past is vivid in my mind, making my memory fresh. I am truly grateful to the hospital medical staff for their professional diagnosis and treatment and their careful care for me, which gave me the hope and ability to start a new life. I am also truly grateful to my family and friends who did not give up on me and accompanied me every step of the way during my treatment in China, making me strong enough to fight cancer. Now, six years have passed, and I have my own little family, and am about to welcome a new little life. I think there is nothing in the world that can make people happier than going through hardships and finally getting something good.

(My wife and I)

Facing cancer, I hope all cancer patients will not give up, stay optimistic and face it bravely. Finally, I also wish you all: peace and happiness forever.