Family support keeps Jai going
JAI Wati Singh says her children have been her only beacon of hope after she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017.
She said none of her three children had left her side and they had been supportive in her battle against cancer from helping her get her operation done overseas, paying for medication and opening up her business.
She said her children had helped her overcome all her fears.
For some, she said, their family would abandon them once they found out they had been diagnosed with cancer.
The 62-year-old operates the Wainimako Mini Mart in Cunningham, Suva where she gets to meet people everyday.
“I opened this small canteen two years ago to keep myself occupied,” Ms Singh said.
“I was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer.
“Ever since a small lump developed on my right breast to a size similar to half a jelly bean, I started consulting a doctor
“I was then told to go to the hospital and get a scan, but I was told it was not cancer.”
She said doctors told her to have another review after six months.
“During this period, my right shoulder was in pain, my ribs were in pain but the place where there was cancer which was near the lump, I couldn’t feel any pain.
“I could feel that it was a lump but it was like a jelly so my doctor told me to go get scanned again.
“When I got scanned, the scan report stated to get an immediate surgery done.”
She said her children at first did not approve of the surgery.
“My children made arrangements to have me flown to Brisbane where my two daughters resided.
“I got tested and then I was told that I had reached stage three breast cancer.”
She said her life changed because she was the first in the family to be diagnosed with breast cancer.
“Both my daughters are in Brisbane so I went to them and they got my surgery done and looked after me.
“In Fiji, my husband and son are taking care of me.
“When I was told that I had stage three aggressive breast cancer, I cried a lot as it felt like it was the end of my life, but my children gave me hope.”
She got her first surgery done on January 9,
2018 and she underwent chemotherapy at Colonial War Memorial Hospital.
She said medication had now become part of her daily life and she was grateful for family support. She also thanked the Fiji Cancer Society.
“Even if it is a small lump or discharge, go to the hospital and get it checked and if you can’t, go to Fiji Cancer Society.”
When I was told that I had stage three aggressive breast cancer, I cried a lot as it felt like it was the end of my life, but my children gave me hope – Jai Wati Singh