No One Told Me It Would Be Like This
By Susan Marquez (19 Mar 2006)

Ah Mah glanced at the clock above the door of the ward in the hospital. She looked forward to two o'clock. Her grandchildren were coming to visit her. Two o'clock came and went, and she waited... and waited... and waited. Finally, the clock chimed three times. Ah Mah stared out of the window. She knew the breast cancer was advanced and what she wanted was to see her grandchildren before she died. She was not well-taken of because there were too many old folks in the old folk’s home which she had lived in for 13 years. Her eyes misted over. No one told her it would be like this.

Che Aznah has planned a bright future for her 11 month old baby. However, her happiness was short-lived when she thought of her chances of living because of the breast cancer. And she knew that she would not be able to accompany her baby until the child finally graduates from university. She had endured enough physical pain. No one told her it would be like this.

Sharini happily went to work just after 1 week she graduated from university. A slight pain in her breast during work prompted her to seek a medical check-up after work. After a few days, when she heard what the doctor had said, that she had early stage breast cancer, she sat dejectedly and wondered why 'no one told me it would be like this '.

A neglected old woman.
A mother.
A fresh graduate.

They and all of us enter this world as tiny, vulnerable beings in birthday suits. We embrace life with open arms and trusting hearts. Our souls rejoice upon embarking on the journey of our lives. And we did so, with faltering footsteps that gradually became strong, firm strides. However, when sicknesses and diseases start to take over our lives, our mental strength start to deteriorate when there is no one else to give strong moral support and encouragement even though there might be the slightest chance to survive the battle with breast cancer. Very sadly, not everyone is blessed with the support which in one way or another helps those in need to endure the battle and live life in the most positive way they possibly can.

Reports of breast cancer cases are steadily increasing. Often, people like Ah Mah go ignored because she was not aware about breast cancer and no one else to educate her about the prevention of it during her years in the old folk’s home. But, it is comforting to know that occasionally, a Good Samaritan will try to help the cancer patient by giving them the reassurance of a support that is just a phone call away. People like Che Aznah and Sharini was just going into another stage of life, one into motherhood, one plunging into the working force. They both had breast cancer and now had to deal with it.

I personally think that beyond medication, mentality and emotions affect a person’s fight with breast cancer. It is due to the fact that even in the most terrible pain that those with breast cancer endure, they should look at life positively. Of course, prevention by early detection is the best way but sometimes we just can't avoid anything that comes along our way all of a sudden. And this is where mental strength, support, encouragement comes in handy to go through the difficult stages of breast cancer.
 

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