Fight goes on for Dubai survivor even after double mastectomy
Antarctica trip for cancer awareness
DUBAI For Angelina Jolie, the now famous double mastectomy was voluntary. But not so for Dubai resident Frida Lobo, who undertook the same surgery after she was diagnosed with stage IV cancer in her left breast.
“Even though my cancer was only on the left breast, I opted to get a double mastectomy done just so that I stay safe. Cancer is not the end of the world,” said a very positive Frida, who recently took an adventure trip to Antarctica to send out this strong message to the world. She was part of a 12-member team that also scaled a mountain on an 11-day trip to Antarctica in December to raise awareness about breast cancer. Her team members were all UAE breast cancer survivors.
“It was perhaps the first time breast cancer survivors scaled a mountain for a cause, but that experience changed my outlook towards life. I came back to tell my family a great story,” said Frida.
Two years ago, Frida – then 37 and mother of two girls ages 7 and 11 – was diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer.
“I decided to deal with the issue rather than go into a shell with it. My family and friends were very supportive and I also had a chat about it with my little girls.” She then went for double mastectomy.
Doctors had warned her that her daughters too should start checking once they reach the age of 27. “At that age, women can feel burdened about getting regular check-ups and it can even leave some scars in their minds. So I decided to paint a positive picture about breast cancer to my girls. So, when I heard about a trip being organised to Antarctica for breast cancer survivors I just jumped into it. This trip was really for my daughters and all the women diagnosed with cancer,” said Frida.
However, when Frida returned home, she found a new lump in her left breast. “I immediately got it checked and am currently undergoing oral chemotherapy. I always believe that if you have 100 reasons to cry, you have 1,000 reasons to smile. The memories of my recent trip are still fresh and whenever I feel down, they make me strong.”
