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He was supposed to be a teenager who was reaching an important milestone in his life, going from being a ‘boy’ to a man. However, 19-year-old Jules received dire news after he enlisted in the National Service (NS) and a persistent cough turned into stage 4 cancer.
Jules, who is now cancer free, shared his journey in a Reddit post and said the cough started a few days before he enlisted in the Singapore Police Force (SPF) on October 8, 2019. He described it as “possibly the worst cough “he ever had, but he decided not to see the medical officer because he didn’t want to be seen lounging around.
Despite coughing, he admitted that he was “really enjoying my time” in Basic Military Training at SPF. He added: “Physically, I was doing the best I could as I wanted to reach my goal of an IPPT score of 95. On my first IPPT I got a score of 84 which I was happy with but wanted to improve.”
The teenager finally went to seek medical help with his cough and the medication alleviated his symptoms. Things seemed to be getting better and her IPPT score even improved. However, he found that a lump suddenly appeared on his neck and he coughed again.
Jules decided to see the doctor again, but the second round of antibiotics proved ineffective because the lump (which was swollen lymph nodes) was still there and didn’t get smaller.
He was referred to Changi General Hospital where, after some tests, he was told that “it could be tuberculosis or cancer of the lymph nodes.”
“My face turned pale, and I immediately felt the need to cry. We weren’t sure about that yet, so I said to myself, ‘I’m 18, fit and healthy. There’s no way I have cancer.’ Jules shared. He was then sent to Singapore General Hospital, where he met with an oncologist and, after further tests, was told he had cancer.
This happened in January and Jules was alone at the time because his parents had something urgent to attend to abroad.
“My doctor asked my parents to fly and I assumed the worst. She wanted my parents to be here with me while she announced the news … When my parents arrived, they gave me the full diagnosis. Stage 4A Nodular sclerosis Hodgkin lymphoma The cancer had spread to my neck, my lungs, my spine and my butt bone, “she said, adding that she didn’t think her cancer was that advanced as the symptoms seemed minor.
[[nid:504804]]Jules had to undergo chemotherapy and described it as “the most unexpected, emotionally and physically painful experience” he had to endure. There were “multiple complications” that led him to stay in the hospital for a month and a half and suffered many sleepless nights.
He said: “I went through my 12 rounds of chemotherapy to the best of my ability with the incredible support of my parents who took care of me.” He also realized that trying to lead his life normally was “silly” and instead “taking things at my new pace of life.”
Fortunately, nine months after his diagnosis, the treatment plan worked and Jules is cancer free. He was also discharged from NS, having been demoted from PES A to PES F.
Jules shared that this ordeal, while completely unpleasant, has changed him and taught him many lessons.
He wrote: “You don’t really appreciate life until it can be taken away from you. Corny as it may sound, it’s true. I was given a second chance at life and never take a day for granted. Each day brings its own beautiful wonders and, to times, hardships.
“Just be thankful that we are all alive and love the people around you as they are the ones who show up in your time of need. Many lessons were learned during my treatment and while I am not thankful that I had cancer, I appreciate that much more who am I now than who was before cancer “.
