"It's almost like you die when they tell you."
This was how Richmond resident Kenneth Yih, a father of two, described the moment a doctor told him there was a large cancerous mass in his abdomen area.
Just before his family trip to Japan, Yih began experiencing unusually sharp abdominal pain and had it checked at Richmond Hospital in March.
After tests and waiting almost a whole day, the doctor brought an X-ray scan that showed Yih the image of the large mass.
Medical professionals later confirmed it to be Stage 4 cholangiocarcinoma — an inoperable and rare cancer that targets the bile ducts connecting the liver to the gallbladder and small intestine.
"It was hard news. The first two weeks were extremely hard," said Yih.
"The doctors tell you you have so much time and everything kind of stops. All the plans that you had and all the things that you want to do."
Yih told the Richmond News he fell into depression right away, lost weight, and couldn't sleep.
With the support of his wife, kids, family and friends who flew in to surprise him, he felt encouragement to keep fighting, he explained.
"I opened the door and they surprised me. That gesture of friendship and kindness and love and support just kind of mentally clicked in me and brought me back," said Yih.
Cholangiocarcinoma is an aggressive and often silent form of cancer where prognosis and survival rates are described as "heartbreaking."
Yih began chemotherapy and immunotherapy under the direction of his oncologist with pain and difficulty sleeping being only a few of several side effects that treatment has on his body.
"For my family and kids, it's worth it," he said.
"When I'm able to, I just spend time with family and my kids as much as possible. We're trying to do things that we may not have time for."
Fundraising for treatment
Candace Wong, a friend of Yih's, set up a GoFundMe page the moment Yih's oncologist told him there was a drug called Ivosidenib, that could help him.
The fundraising page was created to raise $150,000 for Yih to pay for this medication; so far, $59,255 has been collected.
Humbling and gratefulness were two words Yih described the moment he saw the page being created.
"For someone to kind of think about somebody else in that way and see everyone's kindness and generosity, the people around you rallying for you is just amazing."
When Yih is not in treatment, he tries to stay active with his weekly recreational volleyball nights or play soccer with his kids.
He enjoys cooking for his family and continues to prepare feasts at Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Yih is reminding everyone to "take charge of your own health" and never hesitate to check out any discomfort they feel.
"If anyone is unfortunately in a position like mine, I'd want them to know they can lean on the people around them," he said.
"It can be family, friends, support groups because a positive attitude is enormous in trying to fight this disease and those are the people that are going to carry you through, whether it's a good day or a bad day.
"I'm just super thankful for the people around me and just for everyone to appreciate life and the time that they have with the people they love."
To read more about Yih's story, visit the GoFundMe page.
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