Since then, life has been a struggle for the 20-year-old, with weakness and numbness in both legs making it hard for him to walk normally and experience problems answering nature’s call.
When he was diagnosed with the tumour, Syakhir, who also goes by the name Akir, was preparing to sit for his Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination.
His family consulted a neurologist at a hospital in Seremban where they lived.
However, the hospital said it could not treat Syakhir as it lacked the expertise and resources, advising him to be referred to a hospital in the Klang Valley.
After check-ups at several hospitals, he was finally admitted for treatment at the Subang Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC).
His first surgery on Aug 31, 2018 went smoothly and looked promising, with the tumour successfully removed.
“After the surgery, Akir could walk normally and the pain that he experienced eased,” his sister, Nurshazwani Razuanbe, told FMT.
But the tumour returned earlier this month. His legs felt numb again and he experienced difficulties urinating.
The family referred the youngest of five siblings again to SJMC for a check-up and was devastated to learn the situation was worse than before.
Syakhir was back to fighting for his life in the operation theatre on July 8 to remove the growth, but things did not go as smoothly as planned.
“On July 14, the doctor informed us that MRI and ultrasound scans showed that the tumour still remained and they were detected at the base of the spinal cord, right below the brain,” said Nurshazwani.
The doctor later found six separate tumours along Syakhir’s spinal cord and advised him to go for another surgery.
“Akir called me but none of us spoke a word. We just sobbed,” she said, adding that she could not visit her brother due to Covid-19 SOPs.
With a third surgery lined up at SJMC, the family has reached out to the public to help fund RM60,000 needed for the surgery.
His sister said the RM95,000 bill from his previous treatment and surgeries meant that Syakhir’s insurance could no longer be used as this exceeded the annual amount allowed.
“We’re struggling trying to look for such a big amount. Although we’ve received some contributions from people we know, it’s not enough to bear the total cost,” she said.
She said her parents’ canopy rental business had been badly affected by Covid-19, leaving the family with no income and to fall back on their savings.
“But our savings have been dwindling, and we need to continue Akri’s treatment so that he can go back to living a normal life like his peers,” Nurshazwani said.
Those who wish to help fund Syakhir’s surgery can drop a WhatsApp message on FMT’s Helpline at 0193899839.