Hoping for a cancer-free world
Cancer is a most feared and dreaded disease that destroys one’s body and soul and for the lucky few, who come through, the scars - both mental and physical remain forever. So many people are affected and are battling to survive while countless others have succumbed to this illness. In August, 2009, I was diagnosed with leukaemia, or blood cancer. I first started to feel low and would easily get tired, but visits to my physician at a private hospital in Dubai resulted in a misdiagnosis that led me to develop more symptoms. I started to get pain in my arms and back, had breathing problems and bruises appeared on my skin. A nose and throat bleed got me concerned. As my condition worsened, my husband took me to the hospital and the doctor asked me to get admitted. My husband and I chose Rashid Hospital in Dubai and the amazing team of doctors immediately started the treatment, followed by five sessions of chemotherapy over a period of five months. Many factors contributed to my full recovery — timely intervention, excellent care and treatment by a team of good doctors, support by family members and friends and God’s blessings. It has been six years now and I am still free of cancer. My advice to everyone is that it is absolutely imperative to look after one’s health and get regular medical check-ups, follow a healthy lifestyle by maintaining a regime of diet and exercise and live a stress-free life, as much as possible. My fervent prayer is that a permanent cure is found for every type of cancer and the world can one day celebrate ‘cancer-free day’.
From Ms Umbereen Rahman
Dubai
Losing a loved one
I lost my grandmother four years ago. She was a person with a lot of positive energy. Her doctor used to invite other cancer patients to visit her and be inspired by her attitude towards life. She called everyone and informed them the day she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was ready to face the challenge and it was unbelievable that a person with such a positive attitude and optimism did not defeat this dreaded disease. She was a history professor and retired as the principal of a college where she taught through her career. I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to spend many memorable years enjoying her pampering love. She was a person who made her presence felt all around her and she is missed every second by everybody who knew her. Her absence makes it difficult for me to visit India, as it brings back unpleasant memories of her final days. I have become a regular participant in the Breast Cancer Walkathon since 2012, in memory of my grandmother. I hope we can find a permanent cure for this disease, so that nobody loses a loved one again.
From Mr Achilles Ash
Dubai
Important to raise awareness
I lost an aunt to breast cancer, my wife’s mother to breast cancer followed by ovarian cancer and a very close friend of mine lost her mother and two sisters to the same disease. It is a terrible illness for anyone to have to suffer. Thankfully recovery rates for those suffering from breast cancer are improving even though women face the additional trauma of coming to terms with a probable mastectomy and the loss of their inherent “appeal”. But, I hope that people realise that breast cancer is not limited to women; men could suffer from a form of it, too, and so they should not be ignorant and think it will never happen to them. Whilst the statistics for women shockingly outweigh those for men — around 10,000 female cases versus 350 males cases per year in the UK, as stated by Cancer Research UK — it is not something to be forgotten. Mostly the warning signs and symptoms are similar. It is important to raise awareness. Those who are suffering need support. People generally need to be reminded to go for regular checks. Most importantly, cancer care and treatment development need funding.
From Mr David Woodward
Dubai
A family affected
My brother was 12 years old when he was first diagnosed with acute leukaemia. At that time, our family’s financial situation was weak and we approached a hospital in Mumbai, India. We had to rely on different charity organisations for support and my father had to sell my mother’s jewellery for the treatment. At last, his treatment began in three different stages — medicines, chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. By the grace of God, he is fine today and living a normal life. However, my father was also diagnosed with throat cancer in 2009. We came to know about his ailment and approached a cancer specialist in Mumbai. He told us that we were too late and the cancer couldn’t be treated successfully. My father underwent treatment, but due to the chemotherapy and radiation sessions, his oesophagus or food pipe got damaged and he was unable to eat and drink. The doctors then inserted a pipe into his stomach, which is now a source to feed him.
From Mr Vinod Karkera
Dubai
Not a victim
It’s in our nature to assume that deadly diseases and calamities only strike others. I was a vibrant workaholic, exercised a lot and hardly had any soft drinks or junk food. But, I became a victim of cancer. Towards the end of 2013, we as a family moved out of the UAE for the sake of my child’s higher education prospects. I was healthy and only 40 years of age, but the damage had already begun. The shocking realisation came when the gynaecologist, who I approached to consult regarding a bulge on my stomach, told me that the situation was indeed very grave. After many scans and blood tests it was confirmed that I had ovarian cancer. A malignant cyst was furiously growing towards other vital organs, like the heart and liver. Immediate surgery followed by nearly six courses of chemotherapy was the next level in treatment. The whole episode was one of patience and nearness to the Almighty. I was fortunate to be taken care of by my parents who left no leaf unturned in making sure that I came back alive and healthy. I also had the support of my loving family and friends in times of pain. After facing this illness, I have learnt many lessons in life. Your parents are your greatest assets; never let them down. Your true friends will always stand by you no matter what. Early diagnosis and great medical care gives you another chance in life. My advice to anyone fighting cancer is to never let any negativity take over your thoughts. Read great books, be connected with the Almighty and stay away from people who bring negativity. Being secluded is important during the chemotherapy period as you may be prone to infections due to your lower level of immunity. Your withered look might frighten you and you may lose confidence. But, keep your head high. All these things will turn you from a victim to a victor.
From Ms Agniyah Arun Xec
Leeds, UK
Battle against cancer
I am one of those chosen ones who has completely recovered, after a long battle of one year. I have preserved my emotional memories from the time I was struggling with the treatment period so I can motivate people who think that there is no life after cancer. While I was undergoing treatment, I completed my thesis and obtained a doctorate degree later on, all because of my positive attitude. The Almighty instilled positive energy within me and turned my losing hope into winning aspiration. I hope my story brings hope to other patients, as I know how powerful it is to be positive during the battle against cancer.
From Dr Rahil Khan
Sharjah
A life lost
I remember when I was 12 years old, our mathematics teacher passed away due to cancer. She got married and left the country to live with her husband, but just a year later she returned. The students started to notice that she was wearing a wig and looking tired. It was obvious that she was undergoing treatment for some disease, but none of us knew what it was for. A year later, she passed away and that’s when another teacher informed us that she was suffering from cancer. She was very strict, but we all missed her and prayed that she rest in peace.
From Mr Habib Raja
Rawalpindi, Pakistan
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