Hello, everyone. I am Any's cousin. Today, with a heavy yet grateful heart, I would like to share with you the tumultuous journey of battling cancer. My cousin's condition is exceedingly complex; the tumor is rare, and the treatment is fraught with challenges, posing a severe test for the medical community. However, it is this life-and-death struggle that has allowed us to deeply appreciate the power of modern medicine and the brilliance of humanity.

The Sudden and Devastating News: Breast Cancer Diagnosed During Pregnancy

In February 2024, with warm breezes in Makassar, Indonesia, We were filled with the joy of new life—my cousin was seven months pregnant. However, at this stage of her pregnancy, she discovered an unexplained lump in her left breast, which was ultimately diagnosed as breast cancer. This news struck the family like a bolt from the blue. Facing the invasion of this disease, my cousin showed incredible courage, stating, "First, protect the child.” This decision put all treatment plans on hold.

The Tumor Grew Rapidly, Resulting in A Sharp Decline in Condition

In May 2024, the child was born safely; however, the cost of this continuation of life far exceeded our expectations. Fluctuations in hormone levels during pregnancy acted as a catalyst, causing the tumor to grow from 3 cm to 15 cm in just three months. On June 26, during a mastectomy performed in Indonesia, a more alarming truth was revealed—the pathology report indicated that the actual tumor size had reached 28 cm and was diagnosed as a malignant phyllodes tumor. When the lead surgeon admitted that this was the rarest case he had encountered in his career, we realized that this battle was far more perilous than we had anticipated.

Post-surgery radiotherapy was postponed due to my cousin's breastfeeding period and concerns about the side effects of radiation therapy. Instead, the decision to take traditional Chinese medicine for conservative treatment sowed the seeds of future complications. By September, the recurrence of the tumor in the surgical area had aggressed rapidly and out of control. In the dead of night, as she tossed and turned, my cousin gazed at the ulcerated, oozing wound, her eyes filled with despair over her condition and her life. As close relatives, we felt both heartbroken by her suffering and overwhelmed by a sense of helplessness due to the scarcity of medical resources.

My cousin's condition before treatment

A Turning Point Brings Hope: The Cancer Support Session Ignites New Possibilities

The turning point began on November 16, 2024, during a cancer-sharing session in Makassar, Indonesia. When Ms. Yang Siu King, a survivor of stage IV breast cancer with lung metastasis, spoke with a rosy complexion about her rebirth at the Guangzhou Modern Cancer Hospital, it felt as if a ray of light pierced through the gloom in our hearts. The follow-up imaging she presented revealed that the once-aggressive cancer had disappeared. Her "recovery" gave us hope and ignited our determination to seek medical treatment across the ocean.

On November 16, 2024, breast cancer survivor Yo Siu King shared her story

Remote consultation with Chief, Dr. Wu Wei

Seeking Medical Help from Afar: The Tumor is Massive and the Condition is Complex

On January 6, 2025, when we arrived at Modern Cancer Hospital Guangzhou, the tumor on my cousin's chest had reached 29cm, and the ulcerated wound was constantly oozing bloody secretions. What was even more worrying was that she was extremely weak due to long-term nutritional depletion. At this time, the visit of the manager of Makassar International Service Center from afar was like timely help: not only did he bring carefully prepared gifts, but also words of comfort and encouragement, which instantly moistened our eyes.

My cousin's tumor grew to 29 cm and ruptured upon just admission.

CT scan of my cousin before treatment

The manager of the Makassar International Service Center visited us and took a photo with Dr Wu Wei.

In-Depth Consultation: The MDT Collaborates Diligently to Safeguard Lives

The MDT placed great importance on my cousin's condition and swiftly organized a team of experts for evaluation. During the consultation, Professor Dai Wenyuan, a specialist in breast cancer, stated, "She is suffering from a rare malignant phyllodes tumor during pregnancy. This tumor grows rapidly and poses risks of local ulceration and infection. She underwent a mastectomy after giving birth, and radiotherapy should have been administered promptly. However, due to the breastfeeding period, timely intervention was not possible, leading to rapid recurrence and an increase in size to 29 cm, resulting in further deterioration. For treatment, complete R0 resection is necessary; however, due to her recent childbirth and the tumor's size, treatment options are limited."

Professor Dai also emphasized, "In Southeast Asia, many women lack sufficient knowledge about breast cancer due to limited access to medical resources. As a result, they often turn to traditional therapies or Chinese medicine, missing the best treatment opportunities. Nowadays, breast cancer treatment is diversified, and early intervention can greatly improve the cure rate.

The large tumor ruptured and leaked fluid, and the attending doctors and nurses to provide diligent care for my cousin. They made regular rounds and changed the dressings daily. After multiple MDT consultations and thorough consideration, the professors provided the following treatment options: interventional therapy, R0 radical resection, vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) technology, and subsequent breast reconstruction plans.

From Interventional therapy to Surgery: Precision Treatment and Efficient Response

In January 2025, my cousin underwent her first interventional treatment aimed at reducing a massive tumor to facilitate subsequent surgical removal and breast reconstruction. In February 2025, my cousin and I returned to the hospital for the next phase of her treatment.

CT scan of my cousin when her second admission

On February 19, 2025, her surgery was officially performed, with Dr. Teng from the Department of Surgical Oncology serving as the lead surgeon, closely supported by the MDT. The surgery lasted several hours. After the operation, Dr. Teng stated, "During the procedure, we precisely removed a massive tumor weighing 3.5 kg, ensuring that the margins were greater than 1 cm. We also excised the invaded pectoralis major and minor and collected over 20 pathological specimens to ensure negative margins (no residual cancer cells). Postoperatively, we employed VSD to effectively reduce the risk of infection and accelerate wound healing." He reassured me not to worry excessively; once the wound healed, further flap reconstruction would be performed to repair the chest wall defect and complete the breast reconstruction. This approach not only enhances my cousin's quality of life but also bolsters her psychological confidence, achieving a dual "rehabilitation" of both body and mind.

My cousin is doing well after surgery

Dr. Teng of Oncology Surgery

In February 20, 2025, I stayed in the ICU to accompany her.

The Integrated Holistic Minimally Invasive Treatment "Rehabilitation" Plan Aims for The Patient to Regain Her Health!

The rhythmic sounds of the ICU monitors resonate like a symphony of life. When Dr. Wu smiled while pointing at the steadily rising albumin levels, when the rehabilitation therapist guided early respiratory training, and when the translator explained the medication instructions in fluent Indonesian, I suddenly grasped the essence of "Holistic Health Care." The head nurse's remark, "A patient who insists on walking daily with a 29 cm tumor is, in itself, a miracle of life," serves as the best interpretation of this battle.

As a witness to this journey, I understand that 29 cm is not just a medical statistic but a measure of human resilience. From Indonesia to Guangzhou, this transoceanic life-saving battle exemplifies how modern medicine can turn the impossible into the possible. I dedicate this text to all those who hold onto hope in their darkest moments: the boundaries of medicine are ever-expanding, and the miracles of life will never fade.