
Cancer is not to be feared; what is truly frightening is losing faith.
In a ward at Guangzhou Taihe Cancer Hospital, 74-year-old Mr Chen (a pseudonym) still stands tall. His journey of fighting cancer, which has lasted more than eight months, has been another gruelling battle in this Vietnam War veteran’s life, following his time on the battlefield defending his country. Unlike the smoke-filled clashes of war, this time the enemy he must confront is a malignant tumour lurking within his own body.
Hidden lesions masquerading as laryngitis
The prelude to this battle against cancer began during the Spring Festival of 2024, the Year of the Dragon. Whilst the family was gathered together, Mr Chen suddenly experienced discomfort in his throat; the initial symptoms were diagnosed as a common case of laryngitis. After returning home, Mr Chen continued to follow a treatment regimen tailored to laryngitis, but his symptoms showed no sign of improvement.
Subsequent comprehensive and systematic examinations revealed the true cause of his illness: Mr Chen was diagnosed with a primary malignant tumour of the oesophagus, accompanied by a secondary malignant tumour in the liver, indicating that the cancer had metastasised.
Due to the presence of metastases and the complexity of his condition, coupled with Mr Chen’s history of diabetes and previous coronary artery bypass surgery, conventional surgical treatment options could not be pursued. The news of his diagnosis came as a sudden and profound shock, but Mr Chen—a man hardened by the trials of war—quickly regained his composure after a brief period of adjustment and faced his illness head-on with an unwavering will to survive.
Waiting calmly for the military parade to end, then going into hospital for treatment at his own pace
Faced with a life-or-death ordeal, Mr Chen demonstrated extraordinary rationality and resilience. After his family and Mr Chen had thoroughly researched the options and sought advice from various sources, they identified proton therapy—a cutting-edge technique in China that causes minimal physical damage—and ultimately chose Guangzhou Taihe Cancer Hospital for his treatment. Determined to seize this best chance of recovery, Mr Chen resolved to use his entire retirement savings to fight the disease with all his might.
On the eve of his admission, Mr Chen made a special request to the hospital to postpone his treatment. At that time, the military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the War of Resistance was imminent; as a veteran who had experienced the horrors of war first-hand, witnessing this grand ceremony was a deeply cherished wish of his. This profound sense of patriotism, deeply ingrained in his heart, served as the spiritual strength that sustained him and represented the unique honour of a veteran.
Mr Chen watched the 80th-anniversary military parade commemorating the victory in the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression with solemn reverence from start to finish. Only after fulfilling this heartfelt wish did he admit himself to hospital as scheduled to formally commence standardised cancer treatment.
Faith as a Shield Against Illness: A Veteran’s Resolve Continues to Work Miracles of Life
His many years of military service forged in Mr Chen a tenacious spirit characterised by a refusal to shy away from hardship, a fearlessness in the face of adversity, and a refusal to admit defeat. This military ethos, ingrained in his very being, has become his greatest source of mental strength in his battle against illness. Throughout his cancer treatment, no matter what discomfort or hardship he faced, Mr Chen remained composed and steadfast, always firmly believing that cancer itself is not to be feared; what truly defeats a person is the loss of hope and the abandonment of inner resolve.
In his earlier years, Mr Chen underwent coronary bypass surgery following a heart attack. After the operation in 2010, doctors predicted that he had only eight to ten years left to live. Through sheer willpower and a disciplined lifestyle, he not only surpassed that prognosis but lived on peacefully for a further sixteen years. Faced with this serious illness, Mr Chen remained steadfast in his resolve, cooperating fully with his medical team and holding fast to the conviction that continued treatment offered hope of recovery.
Targeted treatment proves effective: pain is alleviated and hope for a better life is rekindled
Mr Chen has now successfully completed proton therapy for his oesophageal cancer. Prior to his admission, Mr Chen had severe difficulty swallowing due to the tumour, and could only manage to consume liquid foods such as millet porridge; even the slightest amount of solid food would trigger symptoms such as dysphagia and vomiting, which had taken a heavy toll on his physical condition.
Following more than twenty sessions of precision proton therapy, Mr Chen’s symptoms of dysphagia have significantly improved and his physical functions have gradually recovered. He is now able to eat regular foods such as rice, noodles and meat, and his quality of life has improved markedly.
Mr Chen has clear plans for the future: after discharge, he intends to undergo long-term treatment with traditional Chinese medicine to steadily recuperate and return to a peaceful life in his later years.
Speaking to the camera, Mr Chen offered words of encouragement to all patients battling illness: with today’s advanced medical technology and comprehensive healthcare policies, what patients need most is to hold fast to their resolve, maintain a positive outlook at all times, and actively cooperate with medical staff in their treatment; in doing so, they will ultimately see the light at the end of the tunnel.


