Sharing Cancer Experiences Vital in Healing
Sharon Mar, 39, a is an entrepreneur and a survivor of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a category of lymphoma in which cancer initiates from a white blood cell called lymphocyte.
Ms Mar owns an online baking business Cake Walk Fiji. This business is involved in charity and community work with the Fiji Cancer Society West support group, Purple Rose Morning Tea Club and Friends of Fiji Heart Foundation.
In overcoming the battle with cancer she chooses to empower those going through the same ordeal.
“When you talk about it, you feel relieved and it helps you to deal with your diagnosis more positively. You need the love and support to be strong,” she said.
On July 27, 2017, she began to feel weak, breathless and experienced high fevers, hot and cold flushes and headaches.
“My mother noticed a small lump on the right side of my neck. I didn’t waste any more time and got myself checked, where the doctors immediately organised a biopsy. After that on August 11, 2017, I was diagnosed with early-stage Hodgkin lymphoma,” she said.
She credited her ability to survive her illness to her faith however she found it difficult to explain to her family. “Going through chemo is something I would not wish upon anybody. I completed three cycles of ABVD chemotherapy by November 30, 2017. It was one of the toughest processes to bear. I am two years cancer-free and still go for my follow up checks,” she said, “Throughout my treatment and the side effects that came with it, heroic medical staff, caretakers, parents, children, extended family, friends, strangers I had never met who came to pray for me stood by my side.”
Mrs Mar added that she does not enjoy remembering her struggles, however she is proud to be a survivor.
“I know that every day is a new beginning and with it comes the possibilities of a brighter and better future for my family and my hope for those going through this process is that they listen to their intuition, pay attention to what their body is telling them, and when in doubt, seek professional medical advice,” she said.