Temasek Secondary School student Falisha Zafilin was just six when she was diagnosed with a rare chronic liver disease, but with a liver transplant and blood transfusions in 2022, she could celebrate another Hari Raya Aidilfitri on April 10.
Falisha, now 14, enjoys reading and writing as well as acting. She is a member of her school's drama cocurricular activity group, known as Serious Play. "I will be acting as a zombie in an upcoming show," she told The Straits Times.
However, she could not always be so involved in school activities due to her health.
Before Falisha turned two, her mother, Madam Siti Zubaidah Mohamed Sharif, 45, noticed blood in the girl's faeces. The toddler was diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) at KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH).
In 2015, Falisha was diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) at KKH after she underwent a liver biopsy when her IBD medication did not work, and she repeatedly failed her liver function tests. She was referred to the National University Hospital (NUH) in 2018 for a second opinion after another liver biopsy indicated that her condition had worsened.
Dr Lee Ser Yee, senior consultant hepatopancreatobiliary surgeon at colorectal and liver clinic Surgical Associates, said PSC is a very rare chronic liver disease of unknown cause characterised by ongoing inflammation, destruction and scarring of the bile ducts.
Denne historien er fra April 11, 2024-utgaven av The Straits Times.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra April 11, 2024-utgaven av The Straits Times.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
'Football died' when Klopp joined Red Bull
BERLIN - Jurgen Klopp's decision to join Red Bull as their Global Head of Soccer has sparked strong reactions from many German fans.
ALCARAZ IN 'CRAZY' LOSS TO MACHAC
Spaniard can’t believe opponent’s level after defeat scuppers rematch with Italian Sinner
New arrivals at FIA after high-profile departures
LONDON Formula One's governing body announced two senior appointments after headline departures triggered talk of an exodus from the International Automobile Federation (FIA) led by Emirati Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
OLYMPIC RINGS OF FIRE OVER EIFFEL TOWER
French minister plans to wrest control of landmark from Paris mayor amid logo row
EVEREST CLIMBS TO GROUP 1 HEIGHTS
World’s richest sprint race gains recognition at its eighth running, as well as All-Star Mile
Heat stress Different work conditions require flexible guidelines on workers' attire
We thank Mr Rahul Gupta for his suggestions (Study standard heat-friendly work clothes for outdoor workers, Oct 8).
Airbus deliveries drop as suppliers struggle
PARIS Airbus deliveries fell 9 per cent in September to 50 jets compared with the same month in 2023, the European planemaker said on Oct 9, rekindling a debate over the strength of its industrial goals as suppliers struggle to keep up with demand.
Mental health ambassadors at all PAP branches by 2025
By 2025, all 93 People's Action Party (PAP) branches will have mental health ambassadors to promote mental well-being in every neighbourhood and support the work of MPs in addressing residents' mental health concerns.
Zelensky says there is 'real chance' to end war in 2025
He did not reveal how this could happen but is counting on support from key allies
Prabowo defends plan to expand government with ‘fat' Cabinet
JAKARTA Indonesia's Presidentelect Prabowo Subianto has defended his plan to expand government agencies, saying it is needed for a strong administration even if critics call it a \"fat\" Cabinet that will bloat the bureaucracy.
