A famous romance novelist in China has died at the tender age of just 29 following a three-year battle with a rare and debilitating disease. - Photo: SCMP composite/The Paper/Weibo/Douban
A famous romance novelist in China has died at the age of 29 after a three-year battle with a rare disease called syringomyelia.
Xia Shu was widely known for her intricate portrayal of earnest emotions between men and women and penned several novels, the most renowned of which were I Won’t Love You and The Lenz’s Law.
The first symptoms of Xia’s illness presented as a high fever for several days that she initially dismissed as a common cold. Two years later, she would receive the syringomyelia diagnosis.
Headaches and body pain, coupled with sensory loss typically accompany the neurological disorder. There is no known cure and patients simply have to manage the disease.
Xia chose to document her ordeal with syringomyelia on Weibo.
She said the condition would worsen when she ate, adding that her inability to eat meant she lost 20kg in a month.
“I vomited at least 15 times in a day,” she wrote. “I fear food intensely, but I have to eat.”
The very rare condition caused the novelist to suffer from extreme vomiting. Photo: Weibo
Xia wrongly received treatment for gastrointestinal issues for two years to little effect. By the time doctors found the correct diagnosis, Xia’s body was too weak for surgery, so she could only undergo conservative treatment.
“Based on current reports, there are only around 30 cases of this disease worldwide. My nerves cannot regenerate, but at least there is no organ failure,” she said.
“Cherish life, stay away from unhygienic takeaway food and misguided doctors,” Xia added.
At that time, fans were optimistic she would recover, with one saying: “Your health is your most important asset. We await your return!”
Xia continued to share details about her struggle on Weibo but with fewer and fewer words each time.
In one post, she wrote: “Do not follow my example! Be sure to eat three meals a day, sleep well, exercise more and don’t neglect your health for work. I still want to live, to live healthily.”
Xia’s last Weibo post was in October 2023.
In February, her mother posted a statement saying that Xia had passed away in January.
Xia’s Weibo bio read: “Wishing to be a mockingbird.”
One fan honoured her and wrote: “She has turned into a mockingbird flying to a painless paradise.”
“We will miss you and cherish our health as you told us to,” said another. - South China Morning Post
