Surviving Severe Aplastic Anaemia

James Soo, 34 years old
Severe Aplastic Anaemia Patient

James is a young man who is an avid sports enthusiast. However, he found it unusual that minor bumps would leave him with bruises and dizziness, not to mention running 10KM would leave him feeling extremely exhausted.

After getting his blood tested at a clinic, his report results showed that he had very low blood cell counts. This raised alarm bells, and he was referred to Subang Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC) for further investigation.

After going through further tests, Dr Alan Teh, a Consultant Haematologist had diagnosed James with severe aplastic anaemia, a blood disorder where the body stops producing new blood cells. In his case, the condition was so severe that he was left with only 6 months to live if he did not receive treatment.

As he was only 20-year-old then, this came as a shock. “I still have so many things to do!” he recalled thinking to himself.

James, who did not have any family history of the disease, had decided to do bone marrow transplant (BMT) to treat his aplastic anaemia. But while waiting to find a suitable donor, James had to be in and out of the hospital for blood transfusion so he could replenish his red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

During this time, he found that his family’s support was really what helped him tide through the tough days. Thankfully, those days were short lived as his brother’s bone marrow turned out to be a match, so his treatment plan of undergoing bone marrow transplant was now set in motion.

Prior to the procedure, James was recommended to go through 4 rounds of mild chemotherapy to clear some of the dead cells and make way for the new stem cells.

“The bone marrow transplant process was like a blood transfusion,” recalls James. “A needle was inserted into my neck, and I could see the stem cells being transfused into my body.”

After the bone marrow transplant and a period of observation, James was finally discharged and sent home. Although he was readmitted for fever and infection after 3 months, the rejection symptoms finally subsided within a week, and he was able to return home once again. “Since then, I always carry a hand sanitiser with me wherever I go. It became sort of a habit,” says James.

This incident changed James's outlook on life. “Not everyone gets a second chance in life, and I learned to cherish every opportunity and try new things. In 2015, I resumed running and have since completed seven half-marathons, along with one full marathon in July this year!” shared James with excitement.

The now 34-year-old HR executive also finds it easier to share his story with a side of humour. Explaining that “Back in 2017, I performed stand-up comedy, sharing about my medical journey. I guess it’s my way of offering a bit of hope to society, like a light at the end of a dark tunnel.”