Things ain't ever perfect. Most important is that you head and strive towards for the best, and never regret.
some relevant stuffs that I had came across today, it was inspiring of the never-give-up spirit in oneself can lead to success.
It was part of my learning materials in school.
I thought of sharing it with you all, of how brave is this young girl.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Daughter of a poor farmer from an undeveloped region of Southeast China, Wan Lao Yang was born with a rare genetic disorder called Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP). Whereas normal individuals are able to repair the DNA damage caused by the sun’s rays (UV rays), individuals with XP lack this ability. This leads to mutations or changes in the DNA in their skin, over time causing these skin cells to grow uncontrollably and leading to skin cancer. The only way to protect these individuals is to reduce or eliminate their exposure to sunlight. Early in life, exposure to sunlight had set off a chain of events in Wan Lao’s skin that eventually led to the development of a skin cancer called melanoma.
Every year, millions of individuals are diagnosed with skin cancer and it is estimated that skin cancer claims one life every hour. XP has revolutionized our understanding of the mechanics of skin cancer. Yet, there is a lot more that is not known.
Despite the harmful effects of sunlight, Wan Lao continued to go to school and led a semi-normal life till her condition deteriorated and facial tumours attacked her nose and part of her left eye. The resulting infection caused blood and pus to ooze from the tumours and a foul smell that eventually caused her friends and neighbours to shun her. Wan Lao stopped going to school as the stares from fellow students and isolation became difficult for her to handle. But she still harboured a hope to return to school some day.
When Dr Atherton first saw Wan Lao, he was shocked to see the extent of growth of the tumours. All through his visit, he was struck by Wao Lao’s positive and brave attitude despite the pain and discomfort she obviously endures night and day. How had she managed?
NASA sends astronauts to space each year outfitted with special suits that block 100% of UV rays, equipped with interior cooling, yet light enough to be worn everyday. This type of suit can protect patients with XP from exposure to UV rays that pose a risk to their lives. Wan Lao has been using the NASA suit till recently when the tumours got too big and the hood didn’t fit any more.
Dr Atherton set out with Wan Lao and her father to seek the medical treatment she desperately needs, but has been unable to afford so far. The travel vehicle had to be fitted with UV resistant screens to protect Wan Lao as much as possible during the journey to Shanghai. Wan Lao was looking forward to getting cured and expressed her wish, “to be like other children and make my father proud”.
Wan Lao’s cancer had progressed to such an extent that unless she was operated upon soon, she would die within a year. It was quite likely that her facial tumours had burrowed into an underlying blood vessel, causing cancer cells to travel to other parts of the body and spread the cancer. All these possibilities had to be investigated before Wan Lao’s treatment could begin. Doctors at the hospital in Shanghai ordered biopsies and an MRI scan to map her tumours to enable the surgeons to plan their strategy to treat her. At this point, Dr Atherton had to return home and leave Wan Lao in the capable hands of the surgeons. On his journey back, he carried with him a biopsy specimen that would be analyzed by molecular biologists in the UK and used to understand more about melanomas.
The surgeons told Wan Lao’s father that her chances of survival following surgery were slim, and that even if surgery were to extend her life expectancy, she would still be disfigured. But even with the odds stacked against her, he decided to give Wan Lao a chance at resuming normal life and going back to school.
Following surgery, Wan Lao was left with a big gaping hole on one side of her face. She had lost her left eye and most of her nose. The abdominal skin graft used to cover the hole did not take hold and doctors had to operate on her again to place another graft, this time taken from her thigh. All through this, Wan Lao was optimistic and brave. She told her younger sister on the phone that she will take care of her once she is home. She assured her mother that she is not afraid. After nearly two months at the hospital, Wan Lao finally went home.
Despite losing an eye and having most of the left side of her face covered in bandages, Wan Lao was grateful to be rid of the huge tumours and admitted that she is more comfortable and “not as ugly”. Minus the pus and the smell, she was welcomed back eagerly by her friends at school. This little girl had, in a short time, been through an amazing journey. She had not only had the opportunity to get medical treatment, but had also managed to travel to the largest city in China and see places and things she never could have imagined!
How does this story end? Soon after her return, doctors in Shanghai found out that Wan Lao’s cancer had spread to her lungs. Two months later, having realized her dream of going back to school, Wan Lao died, leaving behind a legacy that provides hope to scientists and cancer patients worldwide. Her biopsy samples and tumour cells have been cryo-frozen and will be used by researchers to study the mechanisms of skin cancer. Wan Lao has immortalized herself by contributing to the advancement of our understanding about a disease that afflicts millions, but that still remains more of a mystery to us than ever.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Daughter of a poor farmer from an undeveloped region of Southeast China, Wan Lao Yang was born with a rare genetic disorder called Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP). Whereas normal individuals are able to repair the DNA damage caused by the sun’s rays (UV rays), individuals with XP lack this ability. This leads to mutations or changes in the DNA in their skin, over time causing these skin cells to grow uncontrollably and leading to skin cancer. The only way to protect these individuals is to reduce or eliminate their exposure to sunlight. Early in life, exposure to sunlight had set off a chain of events in Wan Lao’s skin that eventually led to the development of a skin cancer called melanoma.
Every year, millions of individuals are diagnosed with skin cancer and it is estimated that skin cancer claims one life every hour. XP has revolutionized our understanding of the mechanics of skin cancer. Yet, there is a lot more that is not known.
Despite the harmful effects of sunlight, Wan Lao continued to go to school and led a semi-normal life till her condition deteriorated and facial tumours attacked her nose and part of her left eye. The resulting infection caused blood and pus to ooze from the tumours and a foul smell that eventually caused her friends and neighbours to shun her. Wan Lao stopped going to school as the stares from fellow students and isolation became difficult for her to handle. But she still harboured a hope to return to school some day.
When Dr Atherton first saw Wan Lao, he was shocked to see the extent of growth of the tumours. All through his visit, he was struck by Wao Lao’s positive and brave attitude despite the pain and discomfort she obviously endures night and day. How had she managed?
NASA sends astronauts to space each year outfitted with special suits that block 100% of UV rays, equipped with interior cooling, yet light enough to be worn everyday. This type of suit can protect patients with XP from exposure to UV rays that pose a risk to their lives. Wan Lao has been using the NASA suit till recently when the tumours got too big and the hood didn’t fit any more.
Dr Atherton set out with Wan Lao and her father to seek the medical treatment she desperately needs, but has been unable to afford so far. The travel vehicle had to be fitted with UV resistant screens to protect Wan Lao as much as possible during the journey to Shanghai. Wan Lao was looking forward to getting cured and expressed her wish, “to be like other children and make my father proud”.
Wan Lao’s cancer had progressed to such an extent that unless she was operated upon soon, she would die within a year. It was quite likely that her facial tumours had burrowed into an underlying blood vessel, causing cancer cells to travel to other parts of the body and spread the cancer. All these possibilities had to be investigated before Wan Lao’s treatment could begin. Doctors at the hospital in Shanghai ordered biopsies and an MRI scan to map her tumours to enable the surgeons to plan their strategy to treat her. At this point, Dr Atherton had to return home and leave Wan Lao in the capable hands of the surgeons. On his journey back, he carried with him a biopsy specimen that would be analyzed by molecular biologists in the UK and used to understand more about melanomas.
The surgeons told Wan Lao’s father that her chances of survival following surgery were slim, and that even if surgery were to extend her life expectancy, she would still be disfigured. But even with the odds stacked against her, he decided to give Wan Lao a chance at resuming normal life and going back to school.
Following surgery, Wan Lao was left with a big gaping hole on one side of her face. She had lost her left eye and most of her nose. The abdominal skin graft used to cover the hole did not take hold and doctors had to operate on her again to place another graft, this time taken from her thigh. All through this, Wan Lao was optimistic and brave. She told her younger sister on the phone that she will take care of her once she is home. She assured her mother that she is not afraid. After nearly two months at the hospital, Wan Lao finally went home.
Despite losing an eye and having most of the left side of her face covered in bandages, Wan Lao was grateful to be rid of the huge tumours and admitted that she is more comfortable and “not as ugly”. Minus the pus and the smell, she was welcomed back eagerly by her friends at school. This little girl had, in a short time, been through an amazing journey. She had not only had the opportunity to get medical treatment, but had also managed to travel to the largest city in China and see places and things she never could have imagined!
How does this story end? Soon after her return, doctors in Shanghai found out that Wan Lao’s cancer had spread to her lungs. Two months later, having realized her dream of going back to school, Wan Lao died, leaving behind a legacy that provides hope to scientists and cancer patients worldwide. Her biopsy samples and tumour cells have been cryo-frozen and will be used by researchers to study the mechanisms of skin cancer. Wan Lao has immortalized herself by contributing to the advancement of our understanding about a disease that afflicts millions, but that still remains more of a mystery to us than ever.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No comments:
Post a Comment