Faisal Esach Rifky, better known as Chef Esach, an alumnus of MasterChef Indonesia Season 2, previously underwent treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma in Penang, Malaysia. However, after receiving his initial chemotherapy there, he decided to continue the rest of his treatment in Indonesia, specifically at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri, as his physical condition no longer allowed him to travel abroad frequently.
That decision became an important turning point in Chef Esach’s treatment journey. Under the care of the blood cancer specialist team at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri, he underwent gradual therapy until he was eventually declared free from stage 4 Hodgkin lymphoma based on the results of a Digital PET Scan examination.
“My wife eventually found information that Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri could continue the same treatment as the one I received in Penang. So we decided that instead of going back and forth to Penang—which was financially challenging because we did not have insurance—it would be better to continue treatment here. Physically, I was no longer strong enough to travel repeatedly because at that time I could not even walk without a wheelchair. Walking just a short distance made me short of breath. Then there was also my child to think about. Being separated from family for too long felt impossible. Since Mandaya could offer an option for us, why not?” said Chef Esach.
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Why Chef Esach Chose to Continue Treatment at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri, Indonesia
Before continuing his treatment in Indonesia, Chef Esach traveled to Penang, Malaysia, to seek certainty regarding his health condition. There, he underwent a PET Scan examination that ultimately confirmed he had stage 4 Hodgkin lymphoma. After the diagnosis was established, Chef Esach underwent one chemotherapy session in Penang as the initial step of his treatment.
However, after considering various factors, Chef Esach and his family decided to continue therapy at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri. His wife discovered that Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri provided blood cancer treatment services that were comparable and could continue the treatment plan he had previously undergone in Malaysia. The decision was also influenced by Chef Esach’s weakened physical condition at the time, as he had to use a wheelchair and frequently experienced shortness of breath while walking.
In addition to health considerations, family and financial factors also played an important role in the decision. Chef Esach admitted that traveling back and forth to Penang was financially burdensome, especially since the treatment was not covered by insurance. On the other hand, he also did not want to be separated from his family and child for an extended period during treatment. Therefore, when he learned that there was a treatment option in Indonesia capable of providing a similar standard of therapy, Chef Esach felt that Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri was the right place to continue his fight against cancer.
Integrated Lymphoma Cancer Treatment at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri
Upon arriving in Jakarta, Chef Esach immediately received intensive treatment at the Emergency Department of Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri. The medical team discovered an infection in the previously installed pigtail catheter, so it was promptly removed to prevent the infection from worsening.
After his condition improved and the infection was brought under control, Chef Esach began a series of follow-up chemotherapy sessions under the care of dr. Toman T.J. Lumban Toruan, Sp.PD-KHOM.
Throughout the treatment process, he underwent chemotherapy using the One Day Care concept, a service that allows patients to receive therapy without hospitalization. The treatment facilities were designed to provide comfort so patients could undergo chemotherapy in a calmer and less stressful environment.
The therapy showed very positive results. After several chemotherapy sessions, the number of cancer cells significantly decreased. Eventually, after the 12th chemotherapy session, follow-up Digital PET Scan results showed that Chef Esach had been declared cancer-free.
Blood Cancer Treatment Options at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri
Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri provides various comprehensive blood cancer treatment services tailored to each patient’s condition, including:
- Chemotherapy and immunotherapy
- High-precision radiotherapy using Linac Elekta Versa HD
- Targeted therapy
- Apheresis procedures, including leukapheresis for certain cases
In addition to treating Hodgkin lymphoma, Mandaya Blood Cancer Center also has the facilities and multidisciplinary medical team needed to handle other blood cancers, ranging from leukemia to multiple myeloma.
To maintain the quality of its blood cancer services, Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri also collaborates with NCIS–NUH Singapore. Each patient case can be discussed with an international team to help evaluate diagnoses, therapy responses, and determine the most suitable treatment plan for patients.
Meet dr. Toman, an Experienced KHOM Specialist at Mandaya Puri
dr. Toman T.J. Lumban Toruan, Sp.PD-KHOM is an internal medicine specialist and consultant in hematology and medical oncology (KHOM) at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri who handles various cancer cases, including blood cancers such as lymphoma, leukemia, and multiple myeloma.
He completed his medical education at the University of Indonesia and later pursued specialist training in internal medicine with a subspecialty in hematology and medical oncology at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia.
In addition, dr. Toman participated in the Honorary Fellowship (Clinical Observership) program at the Department of Hematology, National University Hospital, Singapore. This experience further strengthened his expertise in implementing cancer treatment approaches based on international standards.
In his daily practice, dr. Toman treats cancer patients using a comprehensive and personalized approach, ranging from chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy to apheresis procedures tailored to each patient’s needs.
dr. Toman T.J. Lumban Toruan, Sp.PD-KHOM is available at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri on:
- Tuesday: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM WIB
- Thursday: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM WIB
To make your visit to Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri easier, you can use the WhatsApp Chat feature, Book Appointment service, or the Care Dokter application available on Google Play and the App Store to simplify appointments, check queue numbers, and access other complete information.
The information provided on this page is intended for educational and general informational purposes only and may not represent all medical services that each doctor can perform. To ensure treatment appropriate to your health condition, direct consultation with the relevant doctor is recommended.
If you have questions, suggestions, or need further information, please contact our call center at 0811-1900-2000.
