Life Test of a Blessed Lady

Written by : Lin Su Huai 

Translator:Chong Sui San (MY) 鍾瑞珊

Reviewer :Ong Mooi Lin (MY) 王美齡

There is an old saying: “Good affinity with doctor, is one’s true blessing.” On 11 January afternoon, during the cosy session with Master Cheng Yen, Dr Lin Yingchao,   the Department Head of the Neuro-medical center of Taichung Tzu Chi Hospital, shared a case related to a 51-year old woman. 

This woman suffered from “recurrent cerebellar angioblastoma”.  Although the operation was successful 10 years ago, however, there were three recurrent in the past decade, underwent three surgeries and radiotherapy treatments, yet relapsed again 3 years ago. 

Angioblastoma, a relatively rare neurological tumour, accounts for 1-2% of primary brain tumours and often occurs in the cerebellum. According to Dr. Lin’s briefing, although the woman’s tumour was benign without apparent complication, the small dots next to it, commonly known as ‘nodules’- a growth of abnormal tissue. If the nodules are not removed, it would be difficult to remove the mother cell and relapse could happen from time to time. Thus, the whole tumour must be removed and the brain remained intact. 

Recurrent tumours are normally irregular in shapes and bleed easily. Patients with this condition are prone to dizziness , headache, and movement difficulty. The woman was recommended to Dr Lin Yingchao by her friend because of her dizziness and inability to walk steadily. She believed that Tzu Chi doctors are equipped with “kind heart, friendly and professional skill”. After learning the patient's fear for operation after many surgeries in the past, hospital administration coordinated mindfully, and finally  Dr Lin successfully operated on her on 12 December.  

Reflection by Dr. Lin after the surgery. The patient had gone through 5 surgeries, and his surgical method is different from the previous surgeons of other hospitals that operated on her. The tumour fluid is sticky, and had stuck to the cerebellum. Facing such issues, what’s the best solution? Equipped with professionalism ethic coupled with his vow to save life, and mindfulness of the medical team in concerted effort, Dr Lin successfully removed the tumour in  4 hours. 

The difficulty of the operation was how to get rid of the tumour from the brain? Dr Lin said: “If the tumour is not removed, the patient would not be conscious.”  If the medulla oblongata is tampered with, it would affect leg mobility. If bigger portion of the cerebellum being shredded, this would affect the patient’s vision after gaining consciousness. After the complicated and difficult surgery, it was discovered the tumour fluid was extremely sticky. Dr Lin described the process is like peeling an orange. In the process, one could spoil the orange pulp when peeling off its zest, whereas in this surgery, the external orange skin must be preserved fully and the whole pulp must remain intact for the patient.

As a result of skillfully meticulous operation with due diligence, the tumour was removed completely and the depressed wound was sealed perfectly too. The patient could get out of the bed the next day and all the conditions improved. This woman entrusted with complete faith in Taichung Tzu Chi Hospital, where she claimed this is a “Life test of a blessed lady” before the surgery. 

Master Cheng Yen often preaches, just do it when it’s the right thing to do. When encountering difficult cases or situations, Dr Lin said: “Once undertake to carry out, it is only after doing it to realise that it is not as difficult as it seems.” He insisted on doing the right things and turning the difficult matter better. His professional skill has gained patients’ recognition, it is his honour as Department Head of Neoro-medical Centre of Taichung Tzu Chi Hospital, and Tzu Chi volunteers shared his honour too.