13 year old Boy with Bone Tumour

Minggu ini saya praktikal di Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Orthopaedic Department. Seperti biasa kami kena buat Ward Work yang mana kami kena interview pesakit dan periksa serta merangka Management pesakit. Inilah kerja kami hari-hari. :-)

On that particular day, there was a boy, 13 year old, Indonesian and I think he is Christian based on his name was admitted to Orthopaedic ward for further management of bone tumour. He was referred form Penang Medical Center and was diagnosed of bone tumour. He was accompanied by his Mum and was purposely flew from Medan, Indonesia to seek for treatment in Malaysia. According to the mother, she trusted Malaysian Medical Service and that is why they are here. In Medan, he was suspected to have bone tumor after he had history of painful swelling over the left of the back shoulder. The swelling was noticed by the mother 2 months ago when he was just finished taking his shower. At that time, the swelling was painless until he had a fall on his left shoulder and subsequently the swelling become painful.

After all the investigations were done, he was confirmed to have Ewing's Sarcoma which is a highly malignant bone tumour in young adult. Usually patient with this type of tumour will have a very poor prognosis/outcome.

Such a sad story, his condition was deteriorated whereby he suddenly experienced sudden onset of chest pain and shortness of breath 2 days ago. Oh yeah, forgot to mention, 2 days ago, he was generally very well, looked very happy and healthy. However, today I met him again, he was in severe pain and he was crying. My heart broke into pieces after saw him. The bone tumour was spread to his lungs causing the shortness of breath and chest pain (pleural effusion). That's mean, his condition is really poor. My lecturer who is a consultant of orthopaedic surgeon reviewed him and she said "oh shit!!!" She also cannot believe that this pity boy will have a very rapid progression of bone tumour.

Life is very short. We don't know when is our time to meet our Almighty God. We cannot expect how we will die soon. Could it be because of tumour? Accident? Medical disorders? And are we ready to die?

I know it's wrong to ask such a question since we are still alive. But this is something that we cannot avoid. People die. Just imagine, in 50 years from now, where are we?

Again, life is short. Life is unpredictable.

Living or surviving is another story.

We should be grateful for everything that we have now. Our health, family, friends etc. Start to encourage one another. Support, pray, help and become their angel. Ask your friends or family members, "what can I do for you" or "do you have any problem" instead of keep complaining, feel they are your burdensome. Because, we don't know when we can do that again.

Cherish everything. Take the chance. Show them that you are care.

In conclusion, we are not living alone.

"Honor your father and your mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as [you do] yourself." Matthew 19:19

p/s Please support this poor boy in your prayer. Amen.