My Fight Against An Unknown Enemy

By: Muhammad Arujuddin Hussain, A Cancer Survivor

Muhammad Arujuddin Hussain is a fun-loving, cheerful 12-year-old-boy, who enjoys football, cycling and swimming. He seems like any ordinary 12 year old boy but his extraordinary life sets him apart from the others. At 11 years old, he was diagnosed with nose cancer (Nasopharyngeal Cancer). Muhammad shares with us the story of his couragous battle with the vicious creature called CANCER.

“I fell sick in late 2002. My nose kept bleeding, and though I saw a few doctors, they said I was fine. At that period, I hated going to school and kept crying as I felt really uncomfortable. My tonsils also started to bleed. I knew that was dangerous and it really scared me. This time, I had to undergo an operation in April 2003 to have them removed. After more tests and visits to the hospital, my doctors found tumours behind the nose, the left cheek, and one very close to my brain. I did not know what was happening to me. I only knew that these tumours had to be removed and that meant more operations. At the end of June all the tumours were removed. That made me glad but little did I know the worse was to come.

Mum knew I had nose cancer. She did not say anything to me initially. Only later, on the night before I had to undergo chemotherapy, she told me. I just cried and cried because I knew what cancer is. I just could not accept the fact that I had it. To add on to that, dad just passed away in early 2003. It’s like the end of the world for me and it was very difficult. My aunt asked me to take all the information pamphlets from the hospital the next day. She took time to explain to me more about the disease.

I felt very depressed and hid in my room a lot. To help me cope, mum had to bring me for psychological and psychiatric treatments. Throughout this period, mum gave me a lot of encouragement. She hugged me often, and was always around. My sister became our driver, sending us for treatments, even when she was preparing for her wedding. My family was always there for me like loyal soldiers helping the general fight the battle.

The Children’s Cancer Foundation (CCF) assigned a social worker to me. With their help and participating in the various activities CCF conducted for us, I made more friends and mum also got to know other parents of children with cancer. We share and learn from each other and that really gave us the strength to go on. There are good days and bad days but now I look forward to more good ones.”

Cancer is a ruthless disease. It does not spare anyone, not even the young. Although scarred by the ordeals of multiple surgeries and treatments, Muhammad has emerged victorious in his battle against cancer. His bravery and optimism will help him along the journey to becoming a Cancer Survivor.

For more information about the Childrens’ Cancer Foundation, please call 6835 6465 or visit website: www.ccf.org.sg