A dying cancer patient is reaching out to Sen. Ted Kennedy hoping he can cut through some government red tape and allow her the one thing that could relieve her suffering — a final visit with her parents.
Tina Chang Hong Yuan knows she does not have long to live. The 41-year-old Quincy woman was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer two year ago. “Now cancer come in my brain,” Yuan said. “I know I don’t have a long time left.”
Yuan first came to America to sell Chinese supplements on the West Coast. She returned six years ago to give birth to her son Michael in order to avoid a forced abortion in China. She was working two jobs until she was diagnosed with breast cancer that had spread to her bones and liver.
Her oncologist, Dr. Steven Isakoff at Massachusetts General Hospital, has tried numerous treatments and enrolled Yuan in three clinical trials. “When breast cancer goes to the brain, we have treatments and can control it. But sometimes it can progress rather rapidly,” Isakoff said.
Yuan has tried unsuccessfully for two years to secure a visa for her parents. “My last wish is I can see my mommy and daddy last time,” Yuan said. “I want to see my parents last time.” Isakoff has written numerous letters on her behalf to both the United States and Chinese governments.
“In Tina’s case relieving suffering for her is not just medications, not just giving her pain medicine, but it’s allowing her to be with her family,” Isakoff said.
Supporters have reached out to Kennedy’s office hoping his staff might have some sway with the Homeland Security Department. “We’re just stuck and need help,” Isakoff said. “They’ve been denied a visa because fit a profile of people who come from china who are likely to overstay their visa.” All involved said it’s not practical for Yuan to go home.
“She would be forced to say goodbye to her son here on American soil knowing that she’ll board the plane and never see him again,” said Melissa White, Yuan’s attorney. “That seems to be incredibly difficult to force a mother to do.” Yuan also wouldn’t have access to palliative care available at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Keith Maley, a spokesman for Kennedy said, “our office has a longstanding policy of not discussing the details of casework, and deferring to families.” Maley said staff members are working with Yuan’s family to obtain visas to allow her parents to come visit.
A spokesman for the Department of Homeland Security said he would research the matter
