It’s all about doctors’ support

For Dr Sharon Mendoza Dreisbach, assistant professor, Skyline University College, University City of Sharjah, her successful fight against cancer was a journey from one hospital to another and finally ended up at a facility which made her feel at home. Survivor stories are not always about defying odds and miracles but also about the support offered by doctors, she said.

“Surviving cancer is one of the most important aspects of my life. My story of survival is more about doctors helping me in my fight. It is a two-way process.”

Sharon has been in the UAE for a decade now. It was in October 2015 that she felt some pain and rushed to a nearby hospital. “They did mammogram and breast ultrasound. I was told I had stage 3 breast cancer. I was lost when told to spend my ‘remaining days’ with my near ones in the Philippines.”

“A hospital in Al Ain recommended two experts — Dr Mohanad Diab (HOD of medical oncology) and Dr Balaji Balasubramaniam (consultant surgical oncology) — both from NMC Hospital Abu Dhabi.

“I went there and felt at home. I had only my niece here and wanted someone to be with me during those days. The hospital made me feel like family. The doctors gave me strength. People like me need just such assuring words.”

I had only my niece here and wanted someone to be with me during those days. The hospital made me feel like family. The doctors gave me strength. People like me need just such assuring words.”