"I'll go downstairs to eat later and also go for a walk in the garden." Aunt Gao, who was walking in the corridor of the ward, responded to the nurses' greetings, with joy on her face and in her tone.

If you have seen Aunt Gao, who was unable to stand up three months ago and was diagnosed by another hospital as having "only three months left", you will understand why small things like eating and strolling in the garden can make her excited.

01 An occasional back pain

Become the countdown of life

 

One day in the height of summer last year, Aunt Gao felt a dull pain in her back while doing housework. The 66-year-old, always hardworking and proud of her robust health, dismissed it as a common muscle aches of aging. Unexpectedly, it would become the starting line of a race against death.

The examination report from the local Municipal People's Hospital was like a verdict: a malignant tumor in the right lung with metastasis to the lymph nodes, both lungs, and bones, and the estimated survival time was only 3-6 months.

Unable to accept the diagnosis that their normally optimistic and resilient mother was nearing death, several of her children took Aunt Gao to renowned tertiary hospitals in Guangzhou and Beijing. They harbored a glimmer of hope, believing their small hometown's medical resources were limited. However, the diagnosis from Beijing's crowded, prestigious tertiary hospitals completely closed the window of hope.

To make matters worse, Aunt Gao's health deteriorated rapidly. Occasional back pain developed into excruciating pain, making it impossible to walk, and she now needed help just to sit up in bed. All these signs confirmed her diagnosis of having only three months left.

 

 

 

 

02

From Beijing to Guangzhou

Finally found hope of survival

 

When Gao's mother was unable to find medical help, her second son, Xiao Wang (a pseudonym), overheard a visiting relative mention that their health had improved thanks to the treatment of Chief Physician Huang Deliang. One day in October, he flew alone to Guangzhou and sought treatment at the Minimally Invasive Interventional Department of Guangzhou Royal Cancer Hospital.

Fortunately, with the "last chance" mentality, a turning point came. After a thorough evaluation, Huang Deliang, Technical Director of the Minimally Invasive Interventional Department, and his team determined that Aunt Gao could still be saved.

After detailed communication with the patient and her family and obtaining their consent, and after comprehensive preoperative preparation, on November 11, 2024, Chief Physician Huang Deliang performed the first "right bronchial artery superselective angiography, perfusion, and embolization; left bronchial artery superselective angiography and perfusion" on Aunt Gao. The operation was successful.

After the operation, Chief Physician Huang Deliang explained Aunt Gao's current condition and the expected results of the operation to Xiao Wang. "Factually, your mother's condition is indeed complicated, but it's not too late. We can still find a solution."

Xiao Wang recalled the scene when his mother was first diagnosed with a malignant tumor two months ago: the local hospital said there was no hope of treatment and asked him to take his mother home early.

The feeling of despair that had accumulated for months after being turned away by the hospital was completely eliminated at that moment by the words of Chief Physician Huang Deliang.

03 Miracle!

From being bedridden to walking 6,000 steps a day

"When I first came to the hospital, your eyes were already gray. Look at you now..." Xiao Wang, who accompanied his mother throughout the entire process from diagnosis to treatment, understands every subtle change in his mother.

The following month, after her second intra-arterial chemoembolization, Aunt Gao's condition improved significantly. Her pain subsided, she slept soundly, her spirits gradually returned, and she began to try to walk.

The test results confirmed this fact— tumor markers (cytokeratin 19 fragment assay and carbohydrate antigen 19-9) were nearing normal, CA125 was significantly lower than before, and the lesion in the right middle lobe and hilum area had shrunk. This remarkable change excited the whole family.

With the implementation of the third and fourth "arterial perfusion chemoembolization", Aunt Gao's daily walking volume has increased from 4,000 steps to 5,000 steps, and now to 6,000 steps, which has reached the amount of active physical activity recommended by the "Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents" for adults.

Aunt Gao now returns to the hospital regularly for checkups and treatment, and has regained her pre-illness enthusiasm and outgoing demeanor. She loves sharing her experience with fellow patients: "Don't be afraid. Since we've found Dr. Huang Deliang, there's hope. Let's get better treatment."