“My son, Tian En, was only four when I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia in 2015.   At that time, I had been having high fever for a few days and my family was worried that it was due to the dengue virus.

It turned out to be far worse - I was suffering from an aggressive form of cancer of the blood and bone marrow and needed a stem cell transplant to survive.

The prognosis was devastating but I simply could not afford to dwell on it as my son needed me.   I was prepared to do whatever it took to fight cancer.   It was a very low point for me but I felt very blessed to have my parents and sibling with me.

Following chemotherapy,  I had to brace myself for the stem cell transplant.   My younger sister, Pearlyn, was found to be the best match for me.   It was not easy for her to go through the donation of bone marrow, but she kept up a brave front, often cheering me on with jokes and funny stories.

Unfortunately, I suffered complications from the transplant and had Grade 4 graft-versus-host disease.   It was an extremely trying time as I had severe infections of the gut and kidney that kept me hospitalised for three months.

Although I often feel tired and helpless from my battle with cancer, being able to see my son grow up keeps me going.   I treasure all the time I have with him. I look forward to the games we play together, and the delightful chats we have when he is back from school.

A fellow patient once advised me to focus on one important thing in life that I can look forward to after I get well. For me, it is to be with my son as he grows up.”

Selene Tan
Operations Executive
Winner of The Singapore Health Inspirational Patient Awards 2017.

The Singapore Health Inspirational Patient Awards is an annual award which honours individuals for their strength, courage and resilience in the face of healthcare challenges.

Tags: IPA 2017