Three patients were discharged in late April and this blog post will introduce each of their stories. Sachak and Soryakan, the two boys who were sent to Japan for life-saving surgery, were finally discharged on April 23rd.
Following them, another paediatric cancer patient Rotanak, who had been hospitalised since February was safely discharged a few days later.
Soryakan and Sachak
After successfully completing their treatments in Japan, Soryakan and Sachak underwent quarantine in Cambodia and then finally returned to their temporary home at the Japan Heart Children’s Medical Center.
Fortunately, they seemed to be in high spirits and good health!
These two boys had similar cases, each suffering from hepatoblastoma since birth, and were treated with chemotherapy at our hospital.
Unfortunately, it was found that more advanced medical treatment was required to remove their tumours, and with the support of many, they were brought to Japan for treatment.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the many supporters in Cambodia and Japan who made this possibly, especially the Okayama Medical Center where they were treated and the Embassy of Japan in Cambodia who facilitated their visas.
The parents of the boys released this heartfelt message:
“We thought that treatment was impossible and their lives could not be saved.
However, we are so happy that they have been treated and discharged safely. Thank you so much.”
Rotanak
In general, it is common for paediatric cancer patients to be hospitalised for six months or more, but Rotanak was discharged in just two months which is quite a rare case.
Rotanak’s treatment at our hospital began after he was referred from Kanda Bopha hospital in Phnom Penh. Kanda Bopha is a charity hospital that was established by the Swiss Dr Beat Richner.
Many of our patients are referred from this particular hospital. Although Rotanak wasn’t suffering any symptoms, at out hospital he was found to have an abnormal lump in his chest.
Rotanak is 9 years old and loves to play race car mobile games at the hospital.
Like Japan, it is common for kids to enjoy playing games or watching videos on smartphones in Cambodia.
Rotanak was photographed with a picture he drew, but he doesn’t usually draw much and made it to commemorate his discharge.
We thought it was so good that it looks like he draws regularly!
It won’t be very long until Rotanak is driving a real car rather than a virtual one on a smartphone screen and all of the staff at Japan Heart are eagerly waiting for that day.
We thank everyone who helped all of these boys to be discharged safely from the bottom of our hearts.
Japan Heart will continue to deliver medical care to as many people as possible and we look forward to your continued support.
Public Relations Intern Morita