Heeling Wounds

Aisha Shamim, a 34-year-old banker, will never forget one Monday morning in September last year. ‘‘I was getting ready for work as usual when I felt the lump,'' she recalls.

Alarmed, she rushed to the hospital closest to her home in Leeds, UK, where the doctor referred her to a few specialists. She eventually went to see an oncologist who conducted a biopsy of the affected area.

She says that the two days she had to wait for the results felt like the longest in her life. Her fears were confirmed at the next appointment.

"The doctor sat me down. I was told that I had breast cancer. I felt my whole world come crashing down. There were a million questions I wanted to ask, but my mouth had gone dry. I kept telling myself that this was just a nightmare and that I would eventually wake up," she says.

Finally, Shamim managed to regain her voice and ask the doctor the one burning question: "Will I live?"

He told her that her condition was treatable but he could not predict her lifespan. "My husband Tarek, who was also my college sweetheart, was shocked and devastated when I told him," she says. "He has been extremely supportive. He consoled me by saying that I'm a born fighter and that I would beat this. I knew that I had to fight as hard as I could. I had left my home country (India), my business, my family and my friends to marry Tarek. I wanted to have kids. I wanted to live.''

But there were many hurdles along the way. "I was yet to overcome my shock when I realised that I was still on probation in my new job and would be eligible for just two weeks worth of sick pay. I didn't have much money to pay for treatment. I wondered how I would cope with it all."

Her treatment lasted about seven months. She had eight chemotherapy and 15 radiotherapy sessions. ‘‘I continued to work full-time, although at times I had to do so from home. I lost my lovely long hair, my eyebrows, eyelashes and some of my fingernails. It was difficult, but I did not give up. I tried my very best to stay positive.

"In October 2008, my Mom came to visit me from India. My mom, as well as my dad and my sister, were pillars of strength during this time.

"I also had the support of a few good friends. My friend Elaine would give me a massage when my body ached. My colleague Rita shared my workload, especially when I was under immense strain. Other friends such as Rizwana and our 75-year-old neighbour Dr Aggrawal would take me to my medical appointments."

But life has gained a new meaning for Shamim. "I'm still struggling with the side effects of chemotherapy and I still experience a lot of pain in my joints. I have learnt to appreciate life and the many small, happy moments that make my life meaningful. I no longer waste time. I'm doing the things that I have always wanted to do and they give me such joy. I'm taking dance classes with Tarek and I'm going to learn how to swim too.

"I recently participated in a charity event organised by Breast Cancer Haven, a Leeds-based organisation that offers alternative therapies such as acupuncture, aromatherapy, homeopathy and other treatments free of charge to breast cancer patients. They have also given me lots of support. The fun-filled charity event, the High Heel-a-thon called on all participants to walk in different types of heels for about 1.2 miles to raise money for breast cancer patients. I walked the distance in a pair of wedge heels! All in all, I managed to raise about Dh2,150 for the cause."

Shamim hasn't given up her earlier dream and hopes to have a baby soon, but knows that the treatment could cost a lot because of the effects from cancer. She's currently in the process of sourcing funding from many breast cancer charities.