No-kids fears as bad as having cancer

News Article
No-kids fears as bad as having cancer
Tuesday, 13 l 04 l 2010 ; Source: The New Paper
By Ng Wan Ching
He has three kids after ‘stronger’ treatment at SGH LESS than two months before his wedding in 1999, Mr James Low Juinn Shong found out he had leukaemia. The young man was devastated. He was then only 21. Worse, doctors told him that the medical treatment – a bone marrow transplant – would likely render him unable to have children. But he overcame the odds. Today, Mr Low, 32, is the proud father of three boys, aged five, four and two months. “There is life after treatment,” the Malaysian told The New Paper in a phone interview from Kuantan, Pahang, where he lives with his family. His story is one of five inspiring tales compiled by the Singapore General Hospital (SGH) into a book called Embracing Hope: Chronicles of Blood Stem Cell Transplants, which was launched two weeks ago. (See report below.) When Mr Low first found out about his illness, he feared that his fiancee and her family would call off the wedding. But she went ahead and married him on the date they had set, although the wedding dinner was postponed indefinitely. “We postponed the dinner so that I could concentrate on my treatment and recovery,” he said. Six months after being treated by doctors in Kuantan and Kuala Lumpur, he travelled to Singapore. “The Malaysian doctors told me that I should go to Singapore for better, ‘stronger’ treatment,”he said. At SGH, he was told about the option of a bone marrow transplant. It was a stressful time. The family discussed what to do. His second sister was found to be a match after both his sisters underwent tests. “Even though she had heart problems, she was willing to be my donor,” said Mr Low. Then he was dealt a second blow. The SGH doctor told him that his fertility could be affected by the treatment. “It was just as devastating for me to know that as it was to find out about the disease. I aman only son and my family hoped to have children,”he said. Mr Low,who owns a shop selling motorcycle parts, said that during his first round of chemotherapy,he was “worried and scared”. “I had heard so many horror stories about how bad it could be, how nausea would take away all your appetite. I did not look forward to it,” he said. To his surprise, it was not as bad as he feared. “I was going to stop treatment if I could not take it. But I could. It was bearable, especially with my wife and family supporting me,” he said. His in-laws never once complained that he might not be able to give them grandchildren. “Everyone was focused on saving me,” he said. Tried for children The couple finally held their wedding dinner in 2001, more than two years after finding out about MrLow’s condition. They then tried to have children naturally. “We didn’t want to do anything artificially. So we took Chinese traditional medicine and some natural supplements and let nature take its course,” he said. After three years, they were about to give up and adopt when his wife, Madam Ng Sok Cheng, now 31, found out she was pregnant. “We were overjoyed. I was so happy because I never thought it was going to happen,” he said. Madam Ng became pregnant again in 2006 and 2009. “I think my family is complete now. With just two children, they are already fighting and turning our world upside down. “Three is more than enough,” he said.
Stories from other leukaemia patients THE transplantation of stem cells can now cure many blood cancers, including leukaemia and bone marrow diseases. But for a newly diagnosed patient, the disease remains scary and unknown, say doctors. To empower and help leukaemia patients and caregivers understand the transplant process, the Singapore General Hospital (SGH) compiled some patients’ stories into a book. It also features first-hand accounts of caregivers and health-care providers. Said Dr William Hwang, Director of the Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Programme at SGH: “Patients have often expressed how they wish someone could share with them what the transplant journey is like. “At times, even caregivers and fellow colleagues feel disheartened when a patient does not do well. By compiling this book of stories, we hope to uplift, encourage and empower those reading it.” Every year, more than 2,000 people in Singapore are diagnosed with leukaemia and other blood-related diseases. Only hope A bone marrow or stem cell transplant is often their only hope for survival, say doctors. To date, SGH has performed about 1,000 stem cell transplants. Said Dr Linn Yeh Ching, senior consultant at the department of haematology at SGH: “On the whole, newly diagnosed leukaemias are sensitive to the currently available treatment and most patients do achieve a remission.” The chance of recurrence after surviving beyond five years is negligible, said Dr Linn. It can cost up to $100,000 for a transplant. That’s why proceeds from the sale of the book, which costs $19.90, will benefit needy patients undergoing stem cell transplants and help to fund transplant-related education and research programmes. The book is available at Kinokuniya, the NUS Co-op bookstores, the SGH Haematology Centre (SGH Block 7, Level 2) and the Office of Student Affairs, SingHealth Academy (Post Graduate Medical Institute - SGH Block 6, Level 1). For enquiries, call 6326 6034.