Dubai: A 39-year-old mother of four who has been diagnosed with colon cancer in Dubai, is desperate for help to get treated as she cannot afford the high costs of chemotherapy.
Bangladeshi housewife Shiuli Begum, whose fourth child turned one just last month, is completely distraught. Choked with tears, she said: “Doctors have given me just six months. I am told I have to undergo at least eight chemotherapy sessions. Each session costs over Dh8,000 and we need around Dh100,000 for my treatment. But where will the money come from?”
Shiuli said her husband who works as a port foreman cannot raise the funds with his modest income. “The thought of the high cost is itself killing me. I want to get treated and recover only for the sake of my children. My daughter Jannat is only one. She is too young to lose her mother,” said Shiuli whose other three boys are 12, 14 and 15.
Shiuli said she had been suffering digestive problems for three years, but it was not until recently that things came to a horrible pass. “I had major surgery to get a tumour removed from my stomach. I thought the worst was over and my baby’s delivery brought much joy to our lives. ”
But the family has barely had the time to celebrate her arrival. Shiuli said she couldn’t retain her food intake and would constantly throw up. She also started passing blood in her stools. She had to be rushed to hospital again last month, following which came the confirmation of their worst fears.
“The colon cancer was confirmed by Dubai Hospital on July 23,” said Shiuli’s husband Mohammad Babul, adding that they were overwhelmed by the rigour and cost of the treatment that lay ahead. “I have made an honest living all these years and have helped my entire family, including my aged parents. I never thought such a day would come upon us.”
Shiuli said: “Please help me survive for the sake of my children. Everytime I see them, I feel so helpless. I know I have to fight it out for their sake, but I cannot do it alone.”
Social worker Pam Gauri, who is trying to help her, said: “The family is in a deep crisis and is genuinely in need of help. An appeal for financial help would never have been made otherwise.”
If you wish to help Shiuli, write to editor@xpress4me.com
