After being diagnosed with leukemia in 2008, Chen Yu has been persistently fighting the disease. Over the past five years, she has undergone 18 chemotherapy sessions, and most of the time, she went to the hospital for treatment alone. Because of her strength and courage, she was praised by fellow patients as the “anti-cancer warrior.” Even after her condition relapsed, she continued working to help ease the burden on her parents. Recently, the 22-year-old also rode to Sichuan with fellow patients for a trip. “I want to live bravely, see the world properly, and even fall in love,” said Chen Yu.
Strength
Going for Chemotherapy Alone
Nicknamed the “Anti-Cancer Warrior”
Yesterday morning, reporters met 22-year-old Chen Yu at a residential building in Power Fourth Village, Huangjueping Subdistrict, Jiulongpo District. Expecting to find her lying expressionlessly on the bed, the reporters were surprised by what they saw. The girl standing straight before them had big eyes, slightly dark skin but a rosy complexion, looking quite healthy. With her cute mushroom haircut and wearing a black dress, she looked fashionable and full of vitality.
Chen Yu said her hometown is in Hongdeng 3rd Group, Shima Town, Dazu. In 2008, she was hospitalized due to a high fever and was later diagnosed with leukemia. At that time, she was attending a vocational high school in Yongchuan District and could not accept the fact at all, but gradually she got used to it and mentally prepared herself to leave this world at any time. “Although I can’t choose my fate, I can choose to face it with optimism.”
After falling ill, Chen Yu dropped out of school. Over the past five years, she has undergone 18 chemotherapy sessions. Chen Mingli, Chen Yu’s father, said that before 2013, he and his wife had been working away from home and had no time to accompany Chen Yu for treatment or take care of her. But Chen Yu was very brave—she went for chemotherapy alone and only called home when she couldn’t hold on any longer.
“My parents are too busy; I don’t want to bother them. I can handle it on my own,” Chen Yu said. Over the five years of her illness, she mostly went to the hospital alone. Vomiting, hair loss—each of the 18 chemotherapy sessions was excruciating for Chen Yu. During the hardest times, she would cry in the bathroom for a while, then pull herself together, return to her hospital bed, and chat happily with other patients.
Wang Junwei, in his 30s, was also diagnosed with leukemia last year and got to know Chen Yu during his hospital stay. Wang’s wife, Ms. Yin, said that although she accompanied her husband throughout his treatment at Xinqiao Hospital, every time she saw Chen Yu come for chemotherapy, she was always alone. “Although she was all by herself, she was always cheerful.”
“Once, she had a fever of 39 degrees but still went to get hot water by herself,” Ms. Yin said. The chemotherapy process is very painful—even a grown man might not be able to endure it—but Chen Yu gritted her teeth and got through it. Her strength and optimism were noticed by Ms. Yin and other patients, who gave her the title of “anti-cancer warrior.” “Several patients in our ward have passed away, but Chen Yu is still here,” Ms. Yin believes it is Chen Yu’s optimism and strength that have kept her alive.
Thoughtfulness
Condition Improved
She Worked at a Supermarket to Earn Money
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Chen Yu and fellow patients cycled for 7 days, covering a total of 2,600 kilometers.
Afterward, the two set off from Dazhu County, Sichuan, passing through Langzhong Ancient City, Wen County, then Jiuzhaigou, and finally arrived at Ruoergai Grassland. They cycled for 7 days, covering a total of 2,600 kilometers.
Along the way, Chen Yu and Chen Liangjiang also faced some challenges. “I remember once, we cycled up and down steep mountain roads for a whole day and night but couldn’t find any houses,” Chen Yu said. It was raining, her head wrapped in a scarf, which got soaked, and she had a slight fever.
Seeing this, Chen Liangjiang encouraged her while speeding up to find a house. “Along the way, you could look down and see the rocks below the cliff. To boost my courage, I sang loudly,” Chen Yu said. She was just like she is now—even in danger, as long as she was brave, she could overcome the difficulties.
“I can do anything a healthy person can do, and even do it better.” The short trip helped Chen Yu gain 6 pounds and made her realize that no matter what, one should live bravely. “Although I don’t know how much longer I can live, as long as I live one more day, I should live optimistically. Right now, I still need 80,000 yuan for the transplant surgery. I must raise the money, live bravely, see the world properly, and even fall in love.”
“Are there any boys who like you now?” the reporter asked at the end of the interview. “Currently, three boys have confessed to me, and one of them is someone I like,” Chen Yu blushed, but soon fell into thought: with such an illness, how could she bring happiness to anyone?