Marching forward
Two breast cancer patients tell Kasmiah Mustapha how working during treatment gives them a positive attitude and a happier state of mind
SEE Bee Lin has a demanding job. Working in a construction company, she is responsible for securing contracts, meeting consultants and visiting construction sites. On top of that, since her company is based in Alor Setar, Kedah, she has to fly every weekend to be with her family in Kuala Lumpur.
Juggling work and family, See has no time to take it easy, even though she has been diagnosed with stage four breast cancer.
As the 44-year-old says: “Life goes on even when you have a life-threatening disease. I learn to focus on the present because everything has been determined by God.”
See decided she would continue working while undergoing treatment. Although her bosses told her to take time off so that she could concentrate on getting better, See refused.
“I don’t want to take leave because I have responsibilities. My company is small so everyone has to multitask. I cannot let my colleagues take over as it is not fair to them.
“And it is easy for me because I only have to take a pill at night when I’m at home. I do not have to go to the hospital for treatment and I don’t suffer from serious side effects, except for joint pains. I am still capable of working.”
See was diagnosed with breast cancer in April last year. A 10cm malignant tumour was detected in her right breast after an ultrasound and biopsy. She was advised to have a mastectomy, followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
“I had the mastectomy but did not go for chemotherapy. My mother who had breast cancer five years ago chose not to go for chemotherapy. Instead, she chose immunotherapy and is now cancer-free. I had hoped it would also work for me.”
Unfortunately for See, after months of going through immunotherapy, which include injecting high doses of vitamin C to boost her immune system, the treatment failed. Last October, it was found that the cancer had spread to her back.
According to See, although she was surprised over the news, she was prepared to deal with her disease. Instead of giving up, she made an appointment with an oncologist at a private hospital to find out if the cancer could be treated.
The oncologist gave See two choices — targeted therapy or conventional chemotherapy.
She chose targeted therapy, believing that it would give her better chances of survival.
POSITIVE ATTITUDE
See started her targeted therapy in February this year. For one cycle of treatment, she takes one pill a day for 21 days.
After a seven-day rest period, she continues with the second cycle. The whole treatment lasts 20 months.
“From the day I was told the cancer has spread, and all through the treatment, I worked. Even when I was not in the office, I would still receive messages related to work and handled problems.
“It is important for me to keep working because it helps not to focus on my disease. But I did make some changes including limiting my travel between Alor Setar and Kuala Lumpur — twice a month instead of every weekend — so that I have more time with my children. I also learn to delegate some of my work and not to push myself too hard.”
She says the perception that cancer patients should stay home while being treated is wrong.
Work-life balance, the right food, a posi- tive attitude and exercise are important when facing cancer.
“Never give up trying any method to heal yourself because it is never too late to try. Have faith and treat cancer as a gift from God to restart your new chapter in life. For me, cancer will not stop me from living my life in the moment. If you want to work, you should work. But know your limits and do not over-stress or over-stretch yourself.”
In early September, See underwent a scan which showed there weren’t any cancer cells in her body. However, she still has to complete her treatment for another 14 months.
A BETTER OPTION
Khalinda Jaffar, 58, made the choice to work while still under treatment because it was a better option compared to staying at home.
“I went to work to keep myself occupied because I was bored at home. I need people to talk to, so I would go to the office. I only work for a few hours but it keeps me busy.
“Of course during chemotherapy I was tired, I was nauseous and I had bouts of vomitting. I did not go to work during the
For me, cancer will not stop me from living my life in the moment. If you want to work, you should work. But know your limits and do not over-stress or over-stretch yourself. See Bee Lin
first three cycles but towards the last part of the treatment, I was able to withstand the side effects. So whenever I felt better, I would go out.”
Khalinda was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 after a mammogram which was included in a health screening offered by a private hospital.
Initially, two lumps were discovered in her left breast. However, they were small and Khalinda was told to come back in three months to do an ultrasound.
“I did the ultrasound in July 2015. By that time one of the lumps had grown bigger. A biopsy confirmed that it was malignant. I did expect it because cancer runs in my family.
“Because of my family history, I was determined to follow the treatment course. I underwent mastectomy and reconstructive surgery, then chemotherapy and radiotherapy. I was on medical leave for seven months.”
However, she had to continue with two weeks of radiotherapy after the medical leave was over. As she had used all her entitlement, she decided to go for the treatment in the morning before coming in to the office.
Except for a slight burn on the skin, she did not have any other side effects from the radiotherapy.
Because Khalinda did not look sick, and was able to work, everyone in the office did not believe she had cancer.
“As long as I have the energy, I will work. When my boss sent messages to me regarding work while I was on medical leave, I did not mind because it distracted me from feeling sorry for myself.
“At least I can still work even though I am sick. There are healthy people who do not have jobs.
“You need to face the disease and do everything necessary to get better. Take care of yourself first. If you need to work, you should work because it can keep your mind off things.
“But it may not be suitable for everyone because it depends on one’s mental and physical strength. The important thing is to do whatever that makes you happy. If you prefer to stay home, stay home.”
Now on remission, Khalinda is still on medication for the next five years. She also has to go for ultrasound treatment.
You need to face the disease and do everything necessary to get better. Take care of yourself first. If you need to work, you should work because it can keep your mind off things. Khalinda Jaffar