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Hongkong Singer Sarena Li Has Been Battling Rare Form Of Cancer That Damaged Her Facial Nerves For 8 Years

Sarena’s vocal chords were also permanently damaged two years ago due to complications.

Sarena’s vocal chords were also permanently damaged two years ago due to complications.

Sarena’s vocal chords were also permanently damaged two years ago due to complications.

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In 2012, Hongkong singer Sarena Li who had only made her debut as a member of the Hongkong pop trio Xiao Long Feng two years prior to that, was diagnosed with adenoid cystic carcinoma, a rare form of cancer that commonly develops in the salivary glands or other regions of the head and neck.

Unable to continue on with her dream of becoming a singer, Sarena, who was just 22 then, turned her focus to beating the spread of the cancer cells. Although she was given the all-clear from doctors in 2017, the cancer soon returned. A while later, due to a severe nosebleed, Sarena had to undergo emergency surgery, where doctors inserted a tube down her windpipe to help her breath. As a result, her vocal chords were permanently damaged.

1 of 2 Sarena's a fighter

The cancer also spread aggressively over the years, damaging Sarena’s facial nerves and various organs. The singer has gradually lost vision in her right eye due to the cancer. She also finds it difficult to close her right eye. Even though she has gone for a number of corrective surgery to reduce the damage to her facial nerves, the doctors were ultimately unable to fix the issue. A recent surgery left Sarena unable to open her right eye completely.

According to an interview Sarena did with Hongkong media, she has since stopped receiving both Western and Chinese treatment options. Right now, the 30-year-old is only receiving palliative care, easing her pain through blood transfusions.

​​​​​​​In a recent post on Facebook, Sarena, who’s always remained optimistic, wrote a rare melancholic post: “Recently, the pain that my body’s been experiencing feels different, but I can still bear it. I don’t know how to describe it, perhaps only those who’re on the same journey as me can understand this feeling! On one hand, I have to bear this pain and psychological pressure, and on the other hand, I’m worried that my health will worsen. I’ve always been prepared for the arrival of this day. It’s been eight years, to be honest, I’m tired, both physically and mentally, how long more can I hold on?”

However, she soon turned things around, continuing on to write: “I’m truly thankful to have been able to receive so much love, support and help from friends, so I’ll always remind myself that I should not take this happiness of mine for granted! At the end of the day, I have to rely on myself to walk out of the shadows! I will think of various encouraging phrases and words of support to encourage myself! I know that I can do it, ‘cos there’s still so much that I still want to do.”

  • 2 of 2 Sarena with Hongkong actor Steven Ma at the launch of her book last year

    Photos: Sarena Li/Facebook, Sarena Li/Instagram

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