Finding Strength at a Turning Point in Life: Thank You, KFSYSCC, for Helping Me Welcome Life’s Gift
At Koo Foundation Sun Yat-Sen Cancer Center (KFSYSCC), we have always believed that healthcare is not only about carrying out treatment and technical procedures. It is also a life journey that requires trust between the medical team and the patient, and the willingness to face each step together.
Ms. Lin first visited our Breast Surgery outpatient clinic on Monday, September 8. During her care at our hospital, she received minimally invasive surgery, tumor removal, and radiation therapy. With close collaboration across multiple specialties, including Breast Surgery and Radiation Oncology, she completed a comprehensive, well-coordinated course of care.
After several months of treatment, Ms. Lin successfully completed twelve sessions of radiation therapy on Wednesday, December 17. Throughout her treatment, our physicians, nurses, and staff supported her through each critical stage with professional clinical judgment, careful assessment, and patient-centered care.
After finishing her treatment, Ms. Lin wrote a handwritten letter of thanks and also created a card by hand to express her sincere appreciation to the team. For all of our healthcare professionals, encouragement like this is a powerful source of strength that helps us continue caring for patients and continuously improving the quality of care.
Below, we are honored to share Ms. Lin’s letter.
Ms. Lin’s Letter of Thanks
To the respected Dr. Ben-Long Yu and the Breast Cancer Care Team,
After I had a biopsy at Wanfang Hospital, the doctor told me it was ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Without any additional testing, I was told that I needed to undergo a full mastectomy and reconstruction immediately the following week. At that moment, I felt deeply uneasy, and it was hard for me to accept.
Because I wanted to hear other medical opinions and explore other possible and appropriate treatment options, I came to Dr. Yu’s clinic on a friend’s recommendation. Dr. Yu explained everything carefully and patiently, answered my questions, and arranged many tests. He told me, “Let’s examine everything thoroughly first, and then decide how to treat it.” He also consulted with physicians in other related specialties. That made me feel truly at ease. I could fully trust the diagnosis, and I even reached a point where I felt mentally prepared that “even if a mastectomy is ultimately needed, I would be able to accept it.” Fortunately, the initial plan only required removing the tumor first.
Because the lesion was in a location that was not easy to manage, the procedure was challenging. But Dr. Yu’s surgical skill was outstanding. The incision after surgery was small, and even without placing any filler material, the surgical area did not collapse. I stayed in the hospital for only one night. Even though Dr. Yu is extremely busy, he still came to check on me on both days. On the day I was discharged, he kindly reminded me, “When you go home, make sure you take a shower. You don’t need to change the dressing.” The surgical site did not feel intensely uncomfortable. I only had mild pain on the second day after surgery. Even my friends who have had breast cancer surgery found it hard to believe.
From my clinic visits through surgery and recovery, I felt that I was truly seen and cared for. I am sincerely thankful to Dr. Yu. There is a saying: “Without virtue, skill can still be learned; with skill but without virtue, one is limited to skill alone.” Dr. Yu is a wonderful physician who has both medical ethics and medical excellence. He helped me see hope.
I also want to thank the KFSYSCC breast cancer team for your thoughtful and attentive care. From my first visit to outpatient appointments, testing, surgery, hospitalization, and treatment, I felt the entire team’s professionalism and careful attention. Every aspect, from the clinical care to the environment and support, felt individualized and tailored to me. I truly felt like a VIP.
From the bottom of my heart, I am deeply grateful that all of you chose and committed yourselves to such a demanding profession, and that you have continued to help so many patients like me. Having you truly makes a difference. Thank you.