A life reborn
By Enid Chen
Photos by Yao Fan



"感谢所有的好心人,感谢双语周刊及其热心的读者,是你们无私的爱心和帮助,让我获得了新生."双语周刊及其读者一直关注的白血病患者陈亚容,在八月中旬接受了骨髓移植手术,并且度过了手术后第一个也是最难忘的一个生日.尽管手术后,她的身体仍很虚弱,但是她乐观的精神和对生命的希望总是感染着每一个认识她的人.

如今,她已经度过危险期,但是血型还未成功转型为捐献者的血型,所以仍需住院治疗一段时间,每天的治疗费用高达千元,这已成为除了健康之外亚容及其家人面临的最大困扰.


"Thank you to all the kind-hearted people. I hope they will be safe and sound through their life."
From Amy Chen

About twenty days after the bone marrow transplant, the leukemia patient Amy was finally discharged from the Streamline Ward(层流病房) in Zhongshan Hospital and is now under treatment in a common ward. "She has already lived through the most dangerous period in her life." Amy's doctor said, "But she will still have to stay in the hospital for subsequent treatment since her blood type has not converted from Type B into her brother's which is Type A."

Days in the Streamline Ward
Owing to the donations from kind-hearted people Amy was able to have the bone marrow transplant from August 14 to 26. "The 32 days in the Streamline Ward will be unforgettable in my future life. Everyday, I lived in pain as well as hope for a new life. I spent the lonely days there because there was nobody else except the doctors. All I had with me was a cell phone, through which my family and friends called me from time to time. Their encouraging words enlightened me and gave me hope.

"After the bone marrow transplant, I felt as if there was a battle between my cells and my brother's. I suffered from ulcers(溃疡) in my mouth. Even a sip of water would cause great pain. However, I had to eat some food to get nutrition and energy for recovery and I knew there were many people who cared about me and were concerned with me. Although I hated to take the medicine, I had to take more than 100 tablets everyday in the hope that I would recover sooner."

"I got a new life"
Just four days after the bone marrow transplant, it came Amy's birthday. "This birthday was so special, which meant a new life for me. I have a new life now. A lot of friends called and said happy birthday to me. In the future I will celebrate my birthday on the day that I had the operation. It's my new birthday. I'm really grateful for those kind-hearted people who offered me great help." Amy said with a smile and hope for life.

Despite that she looked much thinner and still frail, Amy stayed in a good state of mind. On the bedside, there were some books and a radio. "I asked my sister to bring the books so that I can spend some time reading them when I feel good. The radio brings me much fun because I can listen to some news and music and know what is going on around the world."

Challenges before Amy
"Amy's operation was a miracle because we avoided some very expensive medicine, considering her financial problem. The marrow function and blood cell production are being restored rapidly. The great challenge she faces now is whether her blood type can convert successfully to her brother's. If the blood type successfully changes, the chances for full recovery will be greatly increased. Otherwise, it would pose a great threat to her life. But it usually takes one to two months for the conversion," said Amy's doctor.

As a result, Amy is now still undergoing medical treatment in the hospital. The everyday medical expense amounts to RMB 1,000. However, the bone marrow transplant had already used up the fund that had been raised. An estimated amount of over RMB 30,000 will still be needed for further treatment.

Amy said after the full recovery, she will return to work. "I will work hard since I owe too much to those who have helped me. I am considered to be very unfortunate to be the victim of leukemia, yet I feel quite lucky because there are so many people kind enough to offer their helping hands even though I don't know them. I hope to run a flower shop so that I can bring beauty to the people who use flowers to beautify their houses and offices."

陈亚容白血病救助热线:
0592-2961007
0592-8840732
捐款请汇:厦门市慈善会
开户银行:建设银行百家村支行
账号:59802610000502
请注明捐助对象为 陈亚容
Please send the donations to Xiamen Charity Society's bank account and specify the recepient as Amy Chen.
Bank account: 59802610000502

My Xiamen



I am Letty Preston, visiting from Salt Lake City, Utah, the USA. I have been staying with friends in Xiamen. I am currently a student at Brigham Young University, U.S.A.

1. How long have you been in Xiamen?
I have been here for three months.

2. What do you like best about life here?
I like shopping in Xiamen. The local delicacies are tasty and I like the ferry.

3. What's your job here? How do you like your job?
I am studying in Xiamen University, and enjoying the beautiful days here.

4. How do you spend your spare time in Xiamen?
Most of my spare time is spent reading books, writing stories, novels and poems.

5. If there was one thing that you could change about Xiamen, what would that be?
It's too hot here in the summer. I wish it could be cooler.

6. What's your favorite restaurant?
American Cowboy.

7. What do you like best about Xiamen?
Shopping. The people here are really nice.

8. Compared with other big cities in China, what do you think are the differences between Xiamen and them?
The city is cleaner, the people are nicer and the transportation is more convenient.

9. What's the last great book you read?
Authors: Gordon B. Hinckley, C.S. Lewis.

10. What's your favorite quotation or piece of advice?
You have never met a mere mortal being (C.S. Lewis).