by BOLA AKINBOADE(Guest Blogger).
My Name is Samira Gomwalk, I am a Cancer survivor and this is my Story….
Diagnosis
It
was a morning like any other. I was getting ready for school and a
commercial came on the radio asking women to do the ‘breast cancer self
examination test’. I had heard of the test but wasn’t exactly sure how
to do it the right way, so I subconsciously followed the instructions
coming from my radio. I noticed a lump in my right breast but if I am
honest I didn’t panic all that much. I was just curious to find out what
the lump was. I made an appointment with the doctor just as a
precaution. So you can imagine my shock horror when my doctor actually
told me I had cancer! I couldn’t help thinking it was all a big joke! I
was only 24, I thought to myself, what the heck would happen to me at 65
if I could get cancer this early! This was how my battle with cancer
began.
Not only did I have to battle the disease that had the
potential to kill me but I also had to battle the negative treatment I
received from friends. I lost so much weight during that period it was
difficult to explain the situation to anyone. Even when I did go to
great lengths to explain, it was obvious that my efforts were useless.
For some reason, some of my friends believed I was using breast cancer
as a smoke screen to cover up my real ailment- HIV! That was especially
hurtful- I had expected most of my friends to be a source of comfort and
not malicious gossip. I felt eyes burning into my skin each time I
attended lectures. School wasn’t fun for me. It was like a prison I was
forced to attend. I had this sad look most of the time and just wanted
to leave for home as soon as I arrived.
But thank God for my
loving family, their love, support and understanding really did keep me
going. I also did have a few trusted friends who supported me with love,
prayers and helped me realize that life was still worth living
regardless. But despite all the support they showed me it was sometimes
difficult for me to see how much pain they were going through because of
my ailment. I remember when after one of my visits to the doctor, my
mom drove me to pick my little sister from school. That was the day we
told her I had cancer. She immediately burst into tears. I felt so sad I
didn’t know what to do. All I could do was pray for God to heal me.
My Treatment
Treatment
for me began with chemotherapy which was given intravenously- it was
awful…the weight loss, hair loss, depression! I hated the feeling of the
drip trickling down which made me really sick. I could taste it in my
mouth. I missed my once normal life because I was bedridden most of the
time. At some point, I started seeing a psychiatrist. I thought I was
running mad. Hearing the rumors from school that I was HIV positive
really did kill me inside. I lost hope and gave up on life. I remember
giving away my clothes because I had mentally given myself a private
death sentence. I just kept thinking to myself that there was no way I
would get out of my situation alive! I even lost touch with God at one
point because I was angry with Him. I felt my sickness was unfair. I
remember saying to Him once, Lord I don’t drink or smoke, how could you
let this happen to me?’
After all these crazy thoughts finished
floating in my head I started to see just how much love and support I
was getting from my family. My step father was especially fantastic. I
remember him telling me that he would do whatever it took to make sure I
got the best treatment ever. I couldn’t let him down. I just couldn’t. I
chose to fight for him and for the rest of my family. I became
determined to fight and win the cancer battle not only for myself but
for my family. Thankfully with God’s help and the love of my family, I
was able to develop a positive outlook on life and my future. It gave me
the courage to face the disease squarely always praying and thanking
God for everything. I even took up playing tennis when ever I wasn’t in
bed just so I could focus on other things. I remember back then I had
lost my appetite and all I could eat was carrot, so everyone called me
the carrot lady of the house. Now that I think back it does seem kind of
funny. I am really thankful that God saw me through!
The next
phase after chemotherapy was surgery. Initially my doctors suggested a
mastectomy but I was fortunate enough to later on have a breast sparing
mastectomy because of my age. The operation was done in South Africa. I
remember those days in my hospital bed when I was really sick and it
seemed like I was never going to leave there alive. One day I looked up
to the heavens and I prayed to God that if He spared my life, I’d make
sure I serve him and also start an initiative that would help other
cancer sufferers. And God answered my prayers, because I recovered so
fast and it was amazing. Even my doctors were surprised at how fast I
recuperated.
After the surgery was radiotherapy. It wasn’t as
painful as the forms of treatment I had already undergone. The only side
effect I suffered was tiredness which compared with past treatments
wasn’t bad at all.
Recovery: Is there life after cancer?
Yes,
there is life after cancer. I am a survivor so I can say that. I
received the ‘all clear’ sign from my doctor 9 months after my
diagnosis. I was at the Montana hospital in Pretoria, South Africa.
After a few x-rays and scans my doctor gave me the good news. I think it
is impossible to explain the way I felt when he told me the good news,
to say I was ecstatic was an understatement. One of the nurses even had
tears in her eyes when she heard the news. She told me I was a lucky
girl because she had lost her husband to breast cancer.
Although
I’ve never really thought of a re-occurrence, even if the cancer does
return, I won’t be deterred. I fought it once and believe I can fight it
again. In my opinion one of the keys to beating cancer is possessing a
strong and innate desire to live. The only way to do this is to think
and live positively taking life one day at a time and at all times
remembering that you can’t do it on your own, except you put God first.
This
is the same advice I have for all cancer sufferers out there. Put God
first in all that you do and He’ll surely see you through. Tough times
will come but don’t give up because the devil only strikes back when you
let him. Don’t ever let him win!
My promise to God
Life
is too precious to be moping over spilled milk. Having had cancer has
taught me to appreciate who I am and count myself to be one of the few
lucky ones to still be alive. I view life from a totally different
perspective now.
When I was lying on my hospital bed I made God a
promise that if he spared me I would help other cancer sufferers.
Today, I’m a strong advocate for breast cancer awareness and I teach
people about how early detection can help save lives. A lot of people
don’t know that the key to beating cancer lies in early detection, just
like with me.
When I first discovered a lump in my breast, I went
to the doctor thrice and was told it was nothing and that I shouldn’t
worry. I persisted and my persistence paid because eventually they found
out my tumor was malignant and was still at its earliest stages. I was
lucky. If you feel something’s not right act fast! Your fast action
might just save your life!
My battle with the disease initiated
the birth of my baby ‘SAMIRA’ a Non Governmental Organisation which aims
to create awareness on breast cancer because early detection is the key
to surviving this disease. SAMIRA aims to source funds that would go a
long way to help those affected by this disease through providing
medication and financial assistance where needed. We also hope to have
support groups for survivors and those living with the disease. We are
already creating awareness with scheduled talks with youth groups around
my vicinity and churches around.
During the Breast Cancer
awareness month of October, SAMIRA organized a walk tagged the ‘SAMIRA
Breast Cancer Awareness Walk’ in the city of Jos. It was a gathering
with young people who came to help support this cause by walking the
city of Jos with placards and our voices. It was awesome! This is just
the beginning of many great things to happen. We are fighting breast
cancer back. SAMIRA is an Arabic name meaning ‘something good’- what
better way to give, even though the disease came to steal my joy but
today ‘something good’ is coming out of it. I made it. You too can!
Spread the word. Thank you Jesus.
Source..... Bola's Blog.
