Latakia-SANA
From the power of belief in healing and conquering disease, the fifty-year-old woman, Sakina Al-Daraf, drew the will to fight the malignant disease called cancer about 25 years ago, when she was a lively young university student who was pursuing her studies in the Department of Arabic Literature at the Faculty of Arts at Tishreen University.
Moments mixed with pain and sadness sometimes and hope at other times, was recounted by Mrs. Al-Daraf in her conversation with SANA’s reporter when she recalled her story upon discovering her injury, as she explained that she was listening to the suffering of her friend constantly complaining about the pain she felt in her chest and the fear she felt until she accompanied her to the doctor and it turned out that the reason was not of importance.
Mrs. Al-Daraf, who got married after recovering from cancer and gave birth to two sons, continued: “One day, I noticed a small lump in the right breast, but I did not take it seriously and removed all fears and doubts about my possibility of contracting the disease. I did not expect that the lump would be cancerous because I was young.”
Al-Daraf added: “I tried to ignore thinking about the subject, but fear overcame me and negative thoughts began to come to my mind. The doctor’s talk about the impossibility of having cancer because it attacks older women and that I am still 25 years old is comforting. She asked us for a set of medical tests and a picture of the chest. After reviewing the results, the doctor told us that a biopsy was needed to ensure that the mass was intact. We went to another doctor who confirmed the need for Surgery and mastectomy.”
Al-Darf continued, "The news struck me like a thunderbolt.. It took me some time to be able to control my nerves, gather myself and accept the shock.. How will I lose a part of my body other than chemotherapy and its effects on physical and psychological health.. It was like a frightening nightmare.. I found myself in a whirlpool." And a whole tape of memories passed before my eyes that made me cry and laugh at the same time, and I told myself that I had to be strong for everyone.”
Al-Daraf pointed out that the treatment journey in Damascus lasted for about a year and a half, followed by periodic examinations every three months, then every six months, and then annually. Surgical removal and treatment sessions were not easy.
Al-Darf said: "The recovery is worth it.. More difficult days have passed for me, but I remained coherent and more insistent on life and clinging to hope thanks to the support of all those around me and by my side to overcome my ordeal despite the frustration and despair that I was going through, and here I am today with my husband and children between My family members live my normal life with a lot of joy and happiness.”
She concluded her speech by saying: “I want every woman and girl to know the importance of early detection of cancer and monthly self-examination of the breast and not to hesitate to visit the doctor and consult him if any change is noticed, because no one knows your body better than you, and they should know that 80% of breast tumors are curable Early diagnosis raises the cure rate to 90% and complete recovery,” stressing that courage in facing the disease is better than escaping from it.
Rasha Raslan
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