Facing Three Types Cancer, Cikgu E Vows To Keep Fighting With Every Breath

By Mohamad Harith Mohamad Nizar

IPOH, Nov 2 (Bernama) -- Although doctors have informed him that only 30 per cent of his airways are working, a former teacher refuses to give up his fight against stage four lung cancer.

For 45-year-old Nassry Mardee Ismail, fondly called Cikgu E, the fight against kidney, glandular, and lung cancer since March 2024 has reached a crucial stage. Still, he clings to hope and keeps fighting to “breathe” for the sake of his beloved wife and five children.

The father of three daughters and two sons, aged between eight and 19, said he now spends 24 hours a day sitting upright and relying on oxygen support.

Once an athlete and marathon runner, he now faces a daunting financial hurdle, needing an additional RM200,000 for his double immunotherapy treatment, as his RM300,000 takaful insurance falls short of the RM500,000 total cost.

“Honestly, I’ve already come to terms with it. I truly accept whatever may happen,” he said in an interview with Bernama at his home here.

Nassry Mardee said that although doctors warned that his airways could be completely blocked within three weeks, as informed last week, he does not view his acceptance (redha) as a sign of surrender.

“It means that whatever needs to be done, we listen to the doctors and follow their advice. We try our very best,” said Nassry, who also lost his mother and eldest brother to kidney cancer.

He reflected on how his once-vibrant life has been transformed. Where he once ran 10 kilometres at a brisk 4 pace, he now needs assistance for even the simplest tasks, like going to the bathroom.

“All I want is to breathe. That’s all,” said the former teacher, who once ran a photography equipment shop after leaving the teaching profession in 2012.

Nassry Mardee said his greatest source of strength is his family’s unwavering support, especially from his wife, Azlina Mohd Ali, 45, who is also a teacher and uses the Government Guarantee facility to help cover her husband's cancer medication at government hospitals.

In a poignant revelation, Nassry Mardee said his youngest son, Nassrul Hafeez, just eight years old, has given up his morning religious classes to care for his father at home.

Known for his cheerful spirit and sense of humour, Nassry Mardee makes a conscious effort to maintain his lighthearted demeanour, hoping to lift the spirits of friends who drop by.

“We don’t want our friends to be sad. We don’t want them to come and see us only to feel down. I treat them as friends visiting a friend, not someone visiting a sick person,” he said, adding that he receives visits from friends almost daily.

He also said that each cycle of double mmmunotherapy costs RM29,424 every three weeks, and he will need a total of 17 cycles to complete the treatment.

“Thinking of (my family) brings me peace. It reminds me to keep giving my all to live,” said Nassry Mardee, who regularly shares his health journey with others on social media.

Members of the public who wish to help ease Nassry Mardee’s financial burden may channel contributions to his Maybank account, 558220621223.

-- BERNAMA