Seeking help from Thymic Carcinoma Survivors

In June 2004, I wrote on the arduous life journey of Mdm Serene Liang who turned adversity into strength. (http://www.cancerstory.com/story_sereneliang.jsp)

Besides using Reiki to help the sick, Serene also took up a counseling course in order to better equipped herself with counseling skills that will be helpful in her voluntary work.

On 23 May 2008, I received her SMS informing me that she was admitted to A&E Department and to expect the worst. She was discharged the next day as there was no available bed in the subsidized ward.

Subsequently, she was warded on 29 May 2008 and underwent a surgical procedure that nearly went wrong. One member of the surgical team placed her on the wrong side. Fortunately, she was in a semi-conscious state after a 2-hour delay. She managed to raise her hand feebly that caught the attention of the surgical team, and prompted them to check her case note. I cannot imagine what would have happened if they had performed the procedure on the wrong lung.

Finally, she was diagnosed of Thymic Carcinoma on 12 June 2008, and referred for consultation with a medical oncologist on 24 June 2008. The cold and indifferent oncologist was unable to cure her cancer and proposed a treatment protocol of 2-cycle chemotherapy. If the tumor responds well to chemotherapy, radiation will be given to shrink it further.

I am saddened by this uneventful diagnosis. Being a courageous woman, Serene accepts the diagnosis of advanced Thymic Carcinoma (4th stage with pleura metastasis), a very rare cancer in her own stride. The first thing that came to her mind was to inform the staff at the Organ Donation Department about her illness. Being an organ donor ambassador, she told the staff to harvest her 'usable' organs should she succumb to cancer. I salute her for such a selfless act and compassion towards her fellowmen.

She wanted to give up palliative chemotherapy offered by her oncologist. However, due to financial constraints, she has no choice but to receive mainstream treatment in the public hospital in July 2008. Her oncologist reassured her that he has treated similar cancer cases and his patients are coping well. Unfortunately, he is unable to "connect" her with these cancer survivors so as to receive support. I tried to seek help from the Centre's support group but without success. None of the support group members has thymic carcinoma.

She faces her mortality with true courage. To most people, facing mortality is no easy feat, especially in her case where she is about to remarry. Fortunately, she is still putting up a good fight against her illness. Being a strong believer in complementary and alternative cancer methods, she will search for suitable and cheaper alternative treatment while she undergoes palliative treatment offered by her oncologist.

Serene is a helpful volunteer and has never turned down any request for her Reiki service from Cancerstory.com's web surfers.

Many friends and well-wishers (including a kind medical professor) have offered to pray for her, and she feels great with so many prayers of all religions.

With her zealousness, I am confident that she will create 'miracles' that will work in her best interest - the doctrine of Reiki Healing.

If you know of a thymic carcinoma survivor who is willing to give a helping hand to Serene, please email me at lsh@cancerstory.com