I’m BEH’s mom and we are from Malaysia. As a mother, I once thought that my daughter's future should be full of sunshine and laughter, but fate is like a sudden storm, sweeping us into the boundless darkness without any warning.

(Ms.BEH and her mom)

Recurrence of ovarian cancer at the age of 30

Facing the desperate situation of removing all ovaries

In early January 2023, my daughter told me that she had frequent abdominal distension recently, and the discomfort in the abdomen once made her unable to sleep. At first, I thought it was just a normal gastrointestinal discomfort, but after seeking medical examinations, we received heartbreaking news - my daughter suffered from ovarian cancer.

At that moment, my world seemed to collapse. She’s only 30 years old and has just entered the best stage of her life. How could she encounter such a disaster?

（Ms.BEH）

With the idea of early treatment in the early stage, my daughter underwent surgery in Malaysia, removed her left fallopian tube and ovary, and received 6 more systemic chemotherapy until the end of chemotherapy in June 2023. The operation left a scar on my daughter that was 10cm across her abdomen like a hideous centipede. Every time I carefully wiped my daughter's body, I held back my tears. The vomiting and hair shedding caused by chemotherapy are even more pierced in my heart like needles, making me worry every night so much that I can’t fall asleep.

We had thought that enduring these ordeals would lead us to the dawn of hope, yet fate once again mercilessly shattered our aspirations. In June 2024, she began to experience rectal bleeding, and the results of the colonoscopy struck us like a bolt from the blue—the cancer had returned, spreading to the rectum, where a lesion formed approximately 8 cm from the anus. Even the remaining right ovary was not spared, showing signs of cystic changes.

The local doctors informed me that the only option at this point was to remove all of her ovaries. In an instant, fear and shock overwhelmed my mind. Why should my daughter, only 30 years old, be ruthlessly stripped of her right to bear children? What if another invasive surgery still couldn't stop the cancer from spreading further? As I hesitated, my daughter told me that she couldn't bear to endure the dual torment of body and mind again. She wanted to live, to enjoy a complete life like any other woman. At that moment, I silently resolved that if there was a third path to survival, I would seize it no matter what! 

Reject secondary resection

Minimally invasive interventional therapy brings new hope

The turning point of all this occurred in an offline anti-cancer sharing session. My son-in-law learned from Facebook that Guangzhou Modern Cancer Hospital will hold an offline anti-cancer sharing session in Beihai, Malaysia. After Google searched for information to learn about the hospital information and the authenticity of the activity, my son-in-law took my daughter's examination report to the scene.

At the scene, Professor Song Shijun shared several minimally invasive treatment techniques, including interventional treatment: unlike traditional treatment methods, there is no need for surgical resection, few side effects, and less pain, and can accurately target the treatment of cancer. During the consultation session, Professor Song said that according to the report, my daughter's condition has a certain probability of keeping the remaining ovaries through minimally invasive treatment.

(On July 13, 2024, our hospital held an anti-cancer sharing session in Beihai)

After hearing this, my daughter's eyes shone brightly and she firmly told me that she wanted to try it. Although we have doubts about transnational therapy, I have no choice for my daughter and for this glimmer of hope.

Under the arrangement of the staff of the Malaysia International Service Center, on August 2, 2024, I accompanied my daughter to St. Stamford Modern Cancer Hospital Guangzhou. The CT scan results in admission were worse than before. There were multiple cystic masses on the right ovary, the largest being about 3.9*4.5cm. The masses also invaded the upper rectum and caused thickening of the intestinal wall. The thickest part could reach 1.3cm. Cancer cells even spread to the pelvic lymph nodes and both lungs. Based on the specific situation of my daughter, the hospital's MDT quickly formulated a treatment plan: interventional therapy.

During preoperative communication of treatment, Dr. Hu Ying, the attending physician of my daughter, told me that interventional therpay is different from systemic chemotherapy. It is to directly inject anti-tumor drugs with a drug concentration of 2-92 times higher than systemic chemotherapy into the tumor. It can kill cancer cells more effectively without damaging the surrounding normal tissues. It has little trauma and fewer side effects, and can also reduce the risk of recurrence and metastasis. It’s suitable for most patients with solid tumors with poor traditional treatment effects.

（Interventional therapy）

Successfully preserved only the remaining ovaries

A turning point in life

During the first interventional therapy, the daughter suffered from a low number of white blood cells due to her special physical constitution. She needed two additional white blood cells to increase the number of white blood cells. Usually, the patient only needs one injection to recover. Since then, every time she goes back to the hospital for a follow-up visit, the medical staff will prepare the preventive medicines we need in advance for my daughter. Such a small thing allows us to see the hospital's medical staff's serious and responsible attitude towards specific situations and also makes me more convinced that we are taking the right path.

With the advancement of treatment, the initial symptoms of blood in the stool gradually disappeared and have now completely improved. After the second interventional therapy, the CT evaluation results brought tears to my eyes - the large lesion of the right ovary and the mass of the cervix have been significantly reduced compared with the first admission, and some of the smaller lesions have even disappeared along with pelvic metastatic lymph nodes!

(Before the first admission to the hospital in August 2024 vs. after the second interventional therapy: 

the tumor lesion was significantly reduced)

I couldn't believe that surgery and chemoradiotherapy were the only way to solve cancer, and although it was inevitable that she would suffer from great side effects, it was also a glimmer of opportunity. Now, I have witnessed first-hand how minimally invasive treatment has saved my daughter's body and happiness for the rest of her life, and I can't help but marvel at the miracle of minimally invasive technology, which not only saved my daughter's remaining ovaries but also saved her from the devastation of traditional treatments. 

(Group photo of Ms.BEH and her mother and Dr. Hu Ying (second from left))

Thanksgiving for companionship and care

Laugh for the future

Although the shadow of cancer looms over us, we have also gained countless warmth along the way.

At every follow-up visit, the hospital nurse will take care of my daughter's every need. In the middle of the night, when she had a fever after hanging a drip, the nurses would bring a fan as soon as possible and tell her to drink more water and rest more.

(Ms. BEH and her mother and nurses)

My daughter is very fond of a doll called Labubu, and she takes it with her every time she returns to the hospital. When the nurses saw her, they would talk about dolls, joke and make her happy, and the ward was full of laughter, and when I saw my daughter smiling, I would be happy too. Although I didn't know what Labubu was, the seemingly small actions of the little dolls and the nurses inadvertently became her strength to persevere. 

(The girls discuss Labubu together)

(My daughter and Labubu)

Now, my daughter is getting better, and we cherish each other more than ever. Here, my daughter also has a few words to convey to more cancer patients: "If you have been diagnosed, don't be afraid, face it bravely, and choose the treatment method that suits you. This is not a hopeless situation, we are all in this together."