TRAVELLING approximately 250km from Alor Setar, Kedah to Penang and back to seek cancer treatment has already become a norm for a 54-year-old hawker since February this year.
Leaving her house in Alor Setar as early as 6am to reach the Penang Adventist Hospital (PAH) in Burmah Road in about two hours, Eng Gek Choon does not give up, but strives to battle cancer, thanks to her family’s encouragement.
Her perseverance and courage to fight cancer should be an exemplary model for other patients facing the disease.
In an interview with Buletin Mutiara, Eng remains strong and in a jovial mood despite being diagnosed with stage two triple negative breast cancer.
“Initially, I discovered something was wrong after receiving a typhoid jab meant for hawkers in my hometown.
“I started to experience soreness in one of my arms for a few weeks. Soon after, I decided to undergo a thorough medical check-up, and unfortunately, I was informed that I was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer by the doctor.
“The doctor advised me to go under the knife the next day, but I declined due to feeling rushed.
“Instead, I sought advice from my sister-in-law who had previously been diagnosed with breast cancer and recovered since receiving treatment at PAH in Penang.
“Thanks to her, I came to seek treatment at PAH and even applied for RM50,000 assistance from the hospital’s medical welfare services unit,” she said.
As she still needs to support her two children aged 15 and 21, the expenses for her treatment were significant.
“Although I have insurance, it does not cover my entire bill. Hence, I applied for the hospital’s assistance and I was relieved to receive their support which allowed me to undergo chemotherapy treatment,” she said.
Sharing how she managed to stay positive throughout her ordeal, Eng recalled that her family and friends were her biggest motivators.
“It was not easy for me to stay strong as I suffered a lot during chemotherapy treatments. My whole body felt a sharp pain after taking the booster jab, also known as the white blood cell booster.
“I needed to take the jab at home, and on top of that, I still have to undergo chemotherapy treatment.
“I tried my best to overcome the obstacles which I have been doing well so far,” the optimistic Eng added.
When asked about her hawker business, Eng said it has been affected by the rising costs.
“Previously, we could earn about RM3,000 a month, but now our earning has taken a dip. To make matters worse, I couldn’t help my husband now due to my situation. Hence, I am very thankful to PAH for their financial assistance rendered,” she added.
Her husband Ong Chee Keong, 57, who accompanied her during all her chemotherapy treatments, thanked the hospital authorities.
“I cannot operate our hawker business on certain days as I need to fetch her for treatment, causing our monthly income to drop drastically.
“We can’t do much as my wife needs support from the family,” he said.
Meanwhile, PAH is organising the Sips of Hope event at St Jo’s Gurney Paragon this Sunday (July 16).
The fundraising event will be held from 2.30pm to 5pm, with a target amount of RM100,000.
Last year alone, the hospital’s Cancer Fund disbursed more than RM700,000 and assisted 528 beneficiaries.
For more information, visit the hospital’s official site at https://pah.com.my/community-services/apply-medical-funds.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Siew Chia En