KUCHING: The Big C, cancer, is often spoken about in hushed and fearful tones – a daunting disease that everyone hopes to never have to go through, be it in themselves or their loved ones.
Cancer is not only a challenge in terms of high treatment costs but also in terms of the physical and emotional impact it induces.
However, unfortunately for some, it is an unavoidable challenge that must be faced with acceptance, courage and positivity.
Jacqueline David Impi, a private employee, is one such person who has seen cancer manifests in two of her loved ones – first her brother and then her daughter.
In conjunction with World Cancer Day today, she shares her heartfelt experiences.
The beginning of Yzara’s cancer
“When I received the news that my daughter, Yzara Mindun Churchill, 29, had cancer, I was quite calm. She broke the news to me through a phone call as she was working in Penang then, in 2020. All I could think of was to fly to Penang and give her support, especially emotional support,” she said.
She said in August 2020, Yzara had gone for a check-up as she had felt a lump underneath her left breast. After laboratory testing, she was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer in September 2020.
“At that point of time, I was also caring for my brother, the late Leslie Jawa David Impi, who had ear, nose, and throat (ENT) cancer, in particular the nose.
“My daughter was cancer-free then, so somehow or other, I was aware of cancer because it happened to my brother first. My brother was single and he was living with me, so most of the time I was the one who cared for him and sent him to the hospital,” she said, adding that her brother passed away last year at the age of 53.
Jacqueline said she along with her husband and son had flown to Penang the day that Yzara had her mastectomy to remove the left side of her breast, visiting her at one of the private hospitals in Penang.
Prior to the visit, she said she had given her daughter a call to let her know that they had arrived in Penang and would be visiting her.
“She seemed to be well and not in pain, and she had asked me to tapau (takeaway) food for her to be brought to the hospital. I thought she seemed to take it pretty well,” she said.
She recalled that upon reaching the hospital, she had felt calm.
“I thought I would just break down, but I didn’t. I hugged her and I told her that it is okay to remove the breast – inner beauty doesn’t lie outside but inside her. I assured her that everything will be okay, I reminded her to be positive and not to worry about a thing.
“At the same time, I said to her, prayers are very important. I told her God knows that you are in pain but rest assured, He will comfort you,” she said.
She said Yzara had stayed in the hospital for about a week before being discharged, and she was granted medical leave until November.
Moving from Penang to Kuching
Jacqueline said her daughter apparently wanted to resign from her post in one of the American companies in Penang, as she felt that Kuching would be the best place to recuperate following her surgery.
“She said Kuching is home to her and I am around for her all the time,” she remarked.
She said her daughter had prepared herself well; before chemotherapy, she had shaved her head bald to avoid any hair loss due to the effects of chemotherapy.
“I am proud of her. In fact, in support, I was looking forward to the cancer campaign for going bald because I would support her,” she said.
She said her daughter returned to Kuching in January last year and she was referred to Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) from Penang.
Unfortunately, bad news was around the corner.
This time around, Jacqueline said her heart sank as she learned that after many tests conducted, Yzara’s cancer had advanced to Stage 4 as the cancer cells had spread to her lungs. She described them to be ‘as big as a 50-cent coin’ or about 1.2cm.
“I just could not think of anything, but I would do anything for my daughter. The after-effects came to me, I just cried. My daughter was calm. Why her?” she said.
Chemotherapy and diet change
Jacqueline recalled that her daughter had to undergo six cycles of chemotherapy, which she never missed.
“I sent her to the radiotherapy unit (RTU) at SGH throughout that cycle. I was with her throughout the process, even though we don’t live in the same house (my children live in another house of mine at Green Road, whereas I live at 7th Mile),” she said, adding that she also had another daughter aged 31 and a son aged 27.
She recalled that her routine at the time, since it was the movement control order (MCO) period, was to drive to pick up her daughter from home, send her to SGH, and after the procedure was completed, they would go home and she would care for her daughter in her house until she slept at night.
“Her experience on her first day of chemotherapy – she said she felt like her head almost exploded. The after-effects of chemotherapy on her were not so bad; she ate quite well although at times she felt nauseated,” she said.
Jacqueline said Yzara’s diet had changed almost completely.
“All she takes until now is nutritious food – no barbecue, no raw food, no sugar, and so on. I make sure that she takes healthy food and drinks,” she said.
Besides this, she said they had gotten Yzara supplements such as Izumio and Olemio.
“After months taking healthy food and supplements, she went for another CT scan and this time round, the cancer cells in her lungs had shrunk to 0.8cm, which is good news,” she said.
On treatment costs, she disclosed that the total cost of her brother’s treatment was estimated at over RM100,000, including insurance.
Meanwhile, the cost of her daughter’s treatment while at the private hospital in Penang was about RM80,000, which was borne by Yzara’s company.
Moving forward with positivity
Overall, Jacqueline said she believed in positivity. She said she always reminded her daughter to be positive, not to worry, and to eat healthily.
Most of all, she always reminded Yzara that she is loved by all.
“I believe in being positive in whatever circumstances she is in, and she is doing that. Live life to the fullest because you never know what effect it has on you,” she said.
She said since November last year, Yzara was asked to go for her check-up only once every three months as it was found that her health had progressed slowly, although she was not cancer-free just yet.
“In conjunction with World Cancer Day, I wish all caregivers to be brave in caring; it is not an easy task, but your love shines throughout. To all cancer patients, I wish you much love, be brave, be positive, be happy,” she said.
