SHARES
A young man in his late twenties, Bryaan Lea exudes quiet confidence. On the road to the pinnacle of success in wealth management, it is hard for him to discover he suffered from Stage 3A Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma—a cancer of the lymphatic system—whilst in the midst of building his career in his mid-twenties. After a referral to Dr Kevin Tay at OncoCare Cancer Centre, Bryaan completed his chemotherapy. Since then, he is in remission until today.
Here, Bryaan shares his surviving cancer story with the GetDocSays.
Bryaan Lea (Photo courtesy: Bryaan’s Facebook account)
Bryaan started having difficulty breathing and articulating during year-end of 2015. He thought it may be a bad sore throat or flu, so he self-medicated with lozenges and “Pi Pa Gao” (a Chinese remedy for soothing sore throat). However, as the condition persisted, he decided to consult a general practitioner in early 2016.
The doctor ordered blood tests and X-ray. Preliminary examinations showed that there was a 3-5 cm growth at his chest. “The doctor did not explain much, as the result was not conclusive. Instead, he advised that I check in immediately at the Emergency Department of Changi General Hospital for further examination,” he said, as he relived the initial stage of his ordeal.
After an extremely long wait at the crowded hospital, he finally got a CT scan done at the end of the day. The scan located a mass of 7.1 x 5.1 x 7.2 cm and multiple left cervical lymph nodes were enlarged. The mass could also be the culprit for his hoarseness and trouble breathing because it was connected to the throat.
Getting Diagnosed with Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma
Bryaan understood that seeking treatment in the public sector would mean that it would be inevitable to be put on the waiting list. “I checked in that evening, expecting a specialist to review my condition. However, no one came.” He lamented. Hence, he decided to pursue treatment in a private setting.
He got in touch with Dr Melvin Look, a surgeon. “Dr Melvin did a biopsy surgery around my neck. I still carry the scar until today,” he said. As the biopsy result would take one week to complete, he was discharged and allowed to continue his normal routine. “I went to work as usual, but it was a long and painful week. I knew something was there, but I didn’t know whether it was malignant or benign,” recalling the days when his diagnosis was still uncertain.
Bryaan and his biopsy scar
On 11 January 2016, Bryaan visited Dr Melvin again with the company of his fiancé and family. He received the shattering diagnosis of classical Hodgkin lymphoma of nodular sclerosis subtype. “There was an eerie silence as Dr Melvin broke the news. It sounded so surreal. Nobody knew how to react to it. We didn’t even know what classical Hodgkin lymphoma was,” he described.
A quick search on Hodgkin lymphoma of nodular sclerosis subtype reveals that it is the most common (and also most curable) type of Hodgkin disease, which is a cancer of the lymphocytes in the lymphatic system. It accounts for 7 out of 10 cases, most often in young people ranging from teens to adults in their thirties. Usually, the early initial symptom includes enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or chest area.
Receiving Treatment
From a referral, Bryaan consulted Dr Kevin Tay, an oncologist at OncoCare Cancer Centre ( Singapore), for more comprehensive diagnosis and treatment. A PETCT staging scan revealed nodal involvement above and below the diaphragm, as well as two lesions in the spleen, which put him at the third stage of cancer. Fortunately, the bone marrow biopsy was negative for any lymphomatous infiltrate, which meant that his bone marrow was spared by cancer.
The treatment plan for Bryaan was 6 cycles of ABVD (Adriamycin, Bleomycin, Vinblastine, Dacarbazine) chemotherapy from 19 Jan to 21 Jun 2016. “Dr Kevin reassured me that it is possible for me to recover from lymphoma, considering my young age,” he said optimistically. However, the chemotherapy journey was not easy. He was nauseous after each session. The chemotherapy also altered his taste buds, making him extremely sensitive to the smell of fish. Besides that, he had to stay indoors due to a compromised immune system as a result of the chemotherapy. Staying indoors is a precaution to reduce the risk of catching any kind of untoward infection.
Tubes connected to chemotherapy infusion pumps
Finding Strength to Press Through
Bryaan was blessed with a supportive family to carry him through the ordeal. His fiancé, Magdalene, took a sabbatical leave from her full-time job to be with him. His parents would accompany him during his chemotherapy sessions. Meanwhile, his grandmother took charge of preparing healthy meals to ensure good nutrition and nourishment. He recuperated for another six months after the treatment was over, before returning to the workforce.
With cancer striking out of the blue, it taught him that humans are fragile—and illness can easily disrupt lives. Bryaan resolved to live life differently after surviving cancer. “In the past, I did not exercise; now, I make exercise a part of my lifestyle. I hit the gym at least once a week to build stamina,” he explained. On top of that, he makes sure that he manages stress well and sleep enough. He also pursued his passion for photography and videography by setting up the related business.
Bryaan had been in complete remission since the end of his chemotherapy. In fact, his last PET scan done on 28 November 2019 showed that he is still in remission. “If someone newly diagnosed with cancer came to me, I would urge him or her to have a positive mindset to see the good in every situation. Focus on getting better, instead of dwelling on the pain and discomfort during treatment. Also, remember to trust your doctor! They are the experts and they have brought many cancer patients to remission,” he advised.
Surviving Cancer and Living Life to the fullest
Cancer survivors can live normal lives too. Bryaan married the love of his life one year after his cancer diagnosis. Another year later, he fathered a baby girl, who is now 11-months old. Today, his family is his motivation to stay healthy so that he can be there for his loved ones.
Bryaan and his wife celebrating their daughter’s first birthday (Photo courtesy: Magdalene’s Facebook account)
A word from GetDocSays
Be mindful to changes happening in your body. Do not procrastinate, your health is precious. Better to be safe than sorry. Consult your doctor if you experience unusual signs and symptoms for early diagnosis and treatment.
This patient testimony was brought to you by Oncocare Cancer Centre, Singapore.
Further reads:
- How to Spot Cancer Early – Beware of the Warning Signs [Part 1]
- How to Spot Cancer Early – Beware of the Warning Signs [Part 2]
Find an Oncologist in Malaysia, on GetDoc
Find an Oncologist in Singapore, on GetDoc
by Joanne Lee
Multipotentialite. Loves creating and seeing ideas come alive. View all articles by Joanne Lee.
