Cancer Was Closer to Me Than I Thought
During the Lunar New Year of 2023, my wife and I faced several unexpected events. First, my wife fell and fractured her wrist, requiring hospitalization. The second surprise was that during her hospital stay for the fracture, it was discovered she had lung adenocarcinoma. The third shock came when I, accompanying my wife for her surgery, was tested and found to have thymoma. I never realized cancer was so close to me.
My Wife's Stage 1 Lung Adenocarcinoma Diagnosis
Prior to the Lunar New Year, while heading to a funeral in Wanli with a classmate, my wife slipped and fractured her wrist. She was treated at the Jingshan branch of National Taiwan University Hospital. Due to unexplained chest pain, doctors did a low-dose CT scan of her chest and advised her to see a thoracic surgeon. The results hinted at a potential problem, and she was advised to consult a thoracic surgeon. One of her classmates, a volunteer at KFSYSCC, recommended Dr. Liu Chi-chuan. Dr. Liu observed some abnormal white spots on the CT scan and, after explaining the potential causes, recommended immediate surgery. The surgery results confirmed Stage 1 lung adenocarcinoma, necessitating regular follow-ups.
I Underwent a Low-Dose CT Scan Too
After witnessing my wife's experience, I realized the importance of regular health check-ups. It had been over six years since my last chest CT scan, so I decided to have one at KFSYSCC. Dr. Liu discovered a 2cm thymoma in my chest. Though most thymomas are benign, they can become malignant over time. My surgery was scheduled for April 2023. My wife took care of me during my hospital stay. Waking up from anesthesia, I heard Dr. Liu mentioning the surgery went well but there might be complications. My wife conveyed a similar message, saying we'd have to wait for the pathology report.
Diagnosis: Malignant Thymoma
On April 19th, my biopsy results confirmed a rare malignant thymoma. The diagnosis was overwhelming, turning my colorful life seemingly black and white. Dr. Liu mentioned in his decades of experience, he had seen less than 10 such cases. I was devastated. Thankfully, it was a low-grade thymoma and hadn't spread. I underwent 25 sessions of radiation therapy under Dr. Yu-Chen Tsai and 5 sessions of chemotherapy under Dr. Nei-Min Chu. Facing these unfamiliar treatments, I felt lost but constantly reminded myself of Master Sheng Yen's mantra: "Face it, accept it, deal with it, let it go."
An Accident Led to Early Cancer Detection
Every day, we traveled from Keelung to Beitou's KFSYSCC, taking a highway bus and then transferring to the Taipei MRT Green and Red lines. The commute took at least 3 hours. One day, a junior high school student offered me his seat on the MRT, calling me "sir." I felt a mix of emotions, questioning how I, a previously healthy individual, suddenly became an old man waiting for the end. These negative feelings haunted me since my surgery. However, the accident led us to detect our illnesses early, a silver lining in our misfortune. I was reminded of a book by Stephen Covey, "The Last Lecture: An Appointment with Success," suggesting the last third of one's life is where the greatest contributions are made. I hope we can contribute to society in our remaining years.
The Value of Early Detection
During our time at KFSYSCC in Beitou, we felt comfortable with its open environment, unlike the hustle and bustle of other hospitals. We're grateful for the care we received. Most importantly, I want to thank my wife for her unwavering support throughout our treatments. To conclude, I'd like to share a piece of advice: "Foreknowledge is priceless." Regular health check-ups are crucial. I wish everyone health and peace.
Author: Mr. Su Wenyuan