Battling breast cancer: A warrior's journey

In December 2007, the 34-year-old Filipina was rushed to Rashid Hospital by her friends as she struggled to breathe. Her neck had swollen up. The extreme pain did not allow her to move or lie down.

"They told me that it was metastasis from breast cancer ... it had spread to my neck bone and damaged two bones," she said. It was a moment that changed her, it was the moment when Nuval dragged out the core of faith and made it an anchor.

Life had been tough. Growing up in the poorer part of Manila in Philippines, the daughter of a security guard has always believed in reaching out for what she wanted.

"I am in love with numbers. I always wanted to be an accountant." She paid her way through higher education by doing part-time jobs. She saved for nine years before seeking higher education after high school. Nuval gained admission for computer engineering but could not afford it and shifted to a computer programming course.

"I set up an internet cafe with a friend, but we were robbed four months later." This was in 2006. All her savings, equipment, everything was lost. She took up a teaching post to get through that financial upheaval. In 2007, she found employment in Dubai. Nuval works as a customer service representative in an international bank based in the UAE.

Routine check

In 2005, as part of a routine check-up, a lump was discovered in her breast.

"It was very expensive to go for a mammogram, so I chose to ignore that warning. I could not afford to pay for tests."

Her mother died in 2000 and father passed away in 2003. Alone and wanting to create a better life, the UAE was a beacon for a new future.

In January 2008, she received her full diagnosis — she had breast cancer but it had moved to ‘Advanced Stage 2'. The cells had spread to her neck and rib cage down to the right femur or thigh bone. Nuval had a year to live.

She first had surgery to fix the bones in her neck. "I opted for Rashid Hospital because I have health care and private hospitals are way too expensive." Cost has always been a predominant factor in her life.

The cancer in her thigh bone was preventing her from walking. She was placed on chemotherapy in March 2008 and received radiation for her leg at Tawam Hospital in Al Ain. Eventually, she was able to walk with a cane.

As the chemo progressed, her "thick curly hair" fell off, she lost 35 kilograms of weight, skin turned coarse and nails went black.

"In cancer you are always alone. Depression is one of the biggest enemies of people fighting this illness. But, if you allow it to take over, the battle is lost. Stay positive. When I feel sad, I go out. Some days even after chemotherapy, I would go to the mall to watch life. It refreshed me."

Nuval talked to other cancer patients, trawled the internet and prepared herself for the effects of chemotherapy.

‘When it came, I was not taken by surprise, just curious to see how it turns out." Her bank was great with giving her time off but the job was necessary for survival.

"I arranged to receive chemotherapy on Thursdays so that I could work off the impact on my weekend on Friday and Saturday. Although, I was really lucky that I did not suffer from too much nausea." She eats what she feels like.

Radiation

As the chemotherapy and radiation progressed, the cancer appeared to be responding. However, she was suffering from severe bleeding and needed blood transfusion every week. The cancer had spread to the uterus. A partial hysterectomy was performed and the organ removed.

"I can never have a child ... have a high pain tolerance but it is finally about God's help." After 10 months of chemotherapy, the treatment was stopped.

"Six months is the usual length for therapy. I had already undergone 10 months but my body responded positively, the cancer is under control. But, to manage the metastasis to my bones, I continue to take injections once a month."

The battle is nowhere near over.

"I have to undergo checks, treatment and medication for at least another four years before hoping for an all clear. My faith will not let me give up... everything is temporary, it will heal. This is something I say to others who battle this dreaded disease."

Are you a survivor of Breast Cancer? How was the battle? Do you have any tips on how to beat cancer?