A young doctor reflects on his life with Stage 4 cancer and a bleak future

Image Credit: สู้ดิวะ’s Facebook

A young Thai doctor who, like many people, never expected to get cancer because of his physical fitness and clean lifestyle, has decided to tell his story of life with advanced cancer, hoping that it will be a morale booster for other people.

28-year old Krittai Tanasombatkul, a doctor at the Clinical Epidemiology and Clinical Statistics Centre at Chiang Mai University, posted his story on a Facebook page called “Let’s Fight”, and it has attracted widespread moral support from members of the public.

He began by saying that he was born to a large family and he had a happy childhood, until he reached a turning point while at high school and his parents separated. He said he suddenly found himself growing up very fast, having to live with his mother and younger sisters.

After finishing high school, he passed the entrance exam to study at the Faculty of Medicine at Chiang Mai University. After graduation, he continued his studies in family medicine and epidemiology and a Master’s Degree in Data Science.

On completion of his studies, he was offered a job at the Clinical Epidemiology and Clinical Statistics Centre. After about two months, he was promoted to a full lecturer.

Krittai said he was confident that he was physically fit, because he exercises regularly, does not smoke or drink, goes to sleep at 10pm and gets up at 6am.

He soon realized that, no matter how physically fit one is, anyone can get cancer, because the world is so polluted and human genes are constantly mutating.

The doctor said he developed a persistent cough and went for COVID-19 and acid reflux tests, which showed no abnormalities. The cough would not go away, so he decided to go for more detailed tests, which confirmed Stage 4 lung cancer, with an 8cm tumour in his right lung.

He said that the cancer has already spread to his left lung and brain, although it has not yet affected his brain function.

The doctor said he was given the best treatment, which included surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and radiation on the tumour in his brain, thanks to all his teachers at the university.

“Without their best and quick treatment, I would not be here to tell my story on social media,” said Krittai, adding that he was lucky to have health insurance cover for serious diseases,as he urged others to get it as well, as even the very fit, like him, can be hit by cancer

“Everyone can get cancer because the world has now become abnormal, with air and water pollution and various forms of radiation and our genes are always ready to mutate,” he said, adding that humans are fragile.

Reflecting on the Stage 4 cancer, Krittai said “My whole world shattered in front of me.  My whole plan for my life fell apart. I didn’t know how my body would react to chemotherapy, whether there would side effects, whether I would be able to eat, able remember others or how long I would live in this way.”

“How much time do I have left? Six months, a year, two years or, if I am lucky, five years, I really don’t have any idea. I cannot do anything but pray that the treatment works and that there will be no side effects. I pray to be able to live a normal life, just for a day or a month.”

“I do not regret my life in the past, which was great. Nothing to regret. No desire for a do-over,” said the doctor, adding that he does not want anything more than his life now.

He said his past life was perfect and meaningful, adding “it would be very good if my short life provides moral support and power for others.”