Sheila (not her real name) was an active 49-year-old who was blindsided in 2018 by a diagnosis of ovarian cancer. She had not been aware of any risk factors or family history of the disease.
No one suspected she had a mass the size of an orange rapidly growing on her left ovary, until it was seen on an ultrasound owing to an unusual menstrual cycle. She was fortunate it was caught at an earlier stage.
Although shocked, her close family and friends rallied around and offered support and encouragement. She spent five weeks recovering from her radical hysterectomy – surgery to remove the whole uterus, tissue on the sides, cervix, and the top part of her vagina – before starting chemotherapy.
Sheila did not want to leave the house and felt she no longer had anything in common with the other mums in her parent-teacher group. How could she listen to their everyday problems when she was worried about not seeing her children grow up?
She could not imagine feeling any differently until she connected with other survivors online. One of them put her in touch with a volunteer who, like her, had been diagnosed at a younger age and was a 10-year survivor.
This lady helped her tremendously by showing it did not have to be a death sentence. With her support system and the strong bond of her family and friends, not to mention caring doctors who encouraged her to be optimistic, she managed to overcome her feelings of despondency.
While on a walk with her husband after her last chemo treatment, she decided to get her first tattoo to symbolise everything she had been through. She decided on a butterfly with its body made up of a teal ribbon, the colour for ovarian cancer awareness.
Her best friend had told Sheila in the hospital a few days after her surgery that she would lead a cancer parade someday. Sheila hadn’t believed it. Six months later, she participated in her first Ovarian Cancer Awareness Walk.
There she was, rocking her post-cancer look, wig and all, as part of her support group. They have walked every year since, although the past year’s walk has been a virtual one due to the pandemic. Her team has raised over RM10,000, which was donated to finding new treatments and hopefully, someday, a cure.
Post-traumatic growth
For Sheila, being around other survivors and giving back has been the most important part of surviving. She is now a volunteer, visiting patients and sharing hope while they receive chemo at the hospital where she was treated.
She talks to new patients who are anxious about their futures, just like she was. This has become one of her life missions. She never imagined turning her diagnosis into something positive, but she has done just that – a phenomenon known as post-traumatic growth.
Sheila is sharing her experience because cancer changes lives forever. Survivors and their families learn what’s important and how to have hope. They learn to prioritise and not waste time; to be patient and make sure to tell people they love them.
Most importantly, they learn to enjoy one another’s company and treasure every day.
TELEME Healing Life Stories is a collection of inspirational stories of how ordinary people triumph over their health conditions and recover to lead a healthier life. Email [email protected] to share your story.
Click here to read more health educational articles or download the app to chat with a health practitioner. Until March 31, FMT readers are able to redeem a free consultation (worth RM15) if they have Covid-related queries. Simply include ‘FMT’ when identifying yourself with your question on the app.