New life, new blood

She beat breast cancer only to see the disease return in a different form. But Madam Wong Mei Moy was to beat it again, by changing her blood with the help of her sister Madam Wong Mei Moy now shares a special bond with her sister – her very own blood has changed its nature from AB to A.

This happened after her sister's marrow was successfully grafted onto hers, as part of the treatment for her blood cancer.

Her doctor, Dr Teo Cheng Peng, explains: "Her sister's blood is group A while Mei Moy's was group AB. This is called a blood group mismatch transplant.

"This kind of transplant is not common and is harder to perform. So, when we saw her blood group changing to A, we knew the donor cells (Group A) had taken over (we call this "engraftment") the patient's marrow. This is the target, donor taking over the patient's marrow.

"Needless to say, we are happy with the outcome. We almost lost her a few times and it was a very long process with so many moments of disappointments, frustrations and false dawns. Thank goodness, that she, her husband and sisters were patient enough and kept faith."

It has indeed been a long journey.

In October 2002, Madam Wong discovered she had breast cancer. She was treated and she was free of it for two years, when she developed the blood cancer.

"It was a very difficult time, but my husband Harry, encouraged me. No need to be afraid," she said.

This blood cancer is called Acute Myeloid Leukaemia and required a Stem Cell Transplant (SCT).

Dr Teo explained: "SCT treatment is routine for most patients with blood cancer. It usually offers the best chance of a cure."

Madam Wong, 57, needed to ask her sisters for help – she comes from a large family of eight siblings. Except for one elder brother, the rest were sisters. She had a twin sister but the test showed that cells from another sister would give a better chance of cure, as the cells would "attack" the cancer.

Three of her sisters, aged 57, 61 and 66, came to Singapore to be tested. One was found to be a good candidate. Dr Teo said: "The test between Madam Wong and her sister is called the HLA typing. This test determines if patient and donor match.

It is just a blood test. The twin sister will always match. But between the sister and the twin, the sister is a better choice because of a better "graft vs leukaemia" effect."

Madam Wong required a few infusions of stem cells from the sister because the leukaemia was rather resistant and kept coming back (relapse) despite the initial infusions of stem cells. It is only with this persistent infusion of donor stem cells that we were able to overcome the leukaemia."

Madam Wong said: "I am so grateful to my sister and her family who let her come to Singapore. We could see a gradual improvement in the cancer marker. Every time there was even a small increase, we would cheer and hug each other. And fax the results to Indonesia."

For many months, it was a gruelling routine of daily check-ups and rest. Madam Wong had no visitors, as she tried to rest as much as she could.

"Sometimes it was very difficult to sleep and I needed a light sedative. In those days when I did not have treatments, I did light housework," she said.

Her husband added: "And we prayed a lot." The couple are Christians with a son and a daughter who are in Australia.

Throughout the treatment, Madam Wong stayed positive. Her husband said: "She can withstand the tough side effects. She always says: "I can fight this." I sit beside her, and try to comfort her the best I can."

Madam Wong said: "Leukeamia is not something simple. It is a journey of many steps. And I was already at an advanced stage when the doctors caught it. I am glad that my sister was with me all the way, and the doctor was patient."

And the day she got the all clear, she whooped and hugged the nurses, and rang her sister immediately. "I told her I am cured, and it was thanks to her blood," said Madam Wong.