"Despite chemotherapy being an extremely painful ordeal, accompanied by headaches, nausea, and an inability to swallow food, there was one thing that kept me going: returning to my daughter and seeing my grandchildren. They are my everything in life. They are the spiritual pillars that supported me through this treatment," said Razia Nasreen Sultana, a 62-year-old breast cancer patient from Bangladesh. Despite tears in her eyes, she bravely faced her situation with a smile, longing to reunite with her beloved family.
This patient began her battle with cancer three years ago. She started feeling unwell while visiting her daughter in Canada. Doctors found no issues with her at the time, only prescribing pneumonia vaccine for her asthma.
She also mentioned how she made up her mind to undergo a thorough medical examination: "When I returned from Canada, Bangladesh was in the final stages of elections, and my work became very challenging. I fell ill again as a result. I didn't know these early symptoms were signs of worsening illness."
"I underwent various medical examinations and numerous tests. Finally, I consulted a cardiologist who strongly recommended a breast X-ray. By that time, I was feeling disheartened due to repeated examinations. Later, I was referred to a breast surgeon who, although unsure, believed I might have breast cancer."
Mrs. Razia subsequently sought consultation from the health insurance services at the Bangladesh World Bank office where she had worked for 25 years. Her employee health insurance allowed her to seek treatment at medical centers in Singapore or Bangkok. Upon receiving her medical records and test results, the health insurance department immediately advised her to seek treatment at the Bumrungrad International Hospital in Bangkok. They had previously recommended several colleagues there for cancer treatment. Additionally, the treatment costs at Bumrungrad International Hospital were much more reasonable compared to the healthcare system in Singapore.
On February 14th, Mrs. Razia arrived at the Horizon Cancer Center of Bumrungrad International Hospital. Breast tumor surgeon Dr. Piyawan Kensakoo sat beside her. Recalling that moment, Mrs. Razia still showed a fleeting anxious expression on her face. "The doctor told me there was a 98% chance that I already had breast cancer. I was extremely shocked by this. So, I really have cancer?" She felt even more panicked upon learning about her diagnosis and that the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes because cancer spreading is not good news for patients.
Commencing Treatment
Medical oncologist Dr. Piyanoot Jitthiang took charge of Mrs. Razia's chemotherapy sessions.
"I gritted my teeth through six rounds of chemotherapy. By the fourth round of treatment, I felt extremely weak, and my will began to wane. Throughout all of this, I received excellent care from my doctor and her entire team. With their care, despite enduring pain and discomfort, I always felt well. They never let me down."
"I commuted regularly between hospitals in Bangkok and my home in Dhaka. I tried to maintain normalcy, especially at work. Team spirit is very important in my work, and face-to-face communication is necessary. When facing certain issues, we need the whole team to resolve them." Mrs. Razia compared her work environment to the cross-departmental care she received at Bumrungrad International Hospital, finding a striking similarity in the teamwork between the two.
Ending Pain with a Smile
Mrs. Razia underwent her final chemotherapy session in July before her surgery. On her way from the airport to the hotel, she asked her husband to take her directly to the hospital's emergency room. "My breathing was becoming increasingly difficult, and I was very scared. As soon as we arrived at the hospital, they immediately took my blood samples. Dr. Piyanoot was called over right away." After the doctor rushed to the hospital, she instructed the emergency room doctors and nurses not to leave Mrs. Razia alone under any circumstances.
"I don't remember anything that happened afterward. When I opened my eyes, the doctor told my husband that my condition had stabilized. She informed me about the next tests that needed to be completed. Although I could understand everything being said, I was too weak to respond anymore."
The day after the interview, Mrs. Razia's daughter arrived in Bangkok to visit her. That was also the reason behind the smile in Mrs. Razia's tears. She also encouraged other cancer patients: "If anyone needs to go through what I have gone through, I hope they think of their families. All the people you love want you to persevere and eventually return to live with them. I feel very lucky to have my family, children, and grandchildren give me love and encouragement, which gives me the strength to fight cancer. The most important thing I want to say is that when you find out you have cancer, seek treatment immediately. Do not delay, as your delay could potentially separate you from your family forever."