Hoda, Egypt

I found myself overwhelmed with shock and disbelief. The thought that I might have cancer seemed unimaginable, and the fear of the pain and challenges that treatment might bring weighed heavily on me. I was in a dark place, facing one of the most difficult mental and emotional battles I could have ever imagined.

I am Hoda, a breast cancer fighter, married with three children.

 My journey began in 2017. At that time, I started noticing symptoms and was almost certain that I might have cancer, but I was reluctant to seek treatment. My knowledge of the disease was based on the painful and difficult experiences of those around me, some of whom saw their lives dramatically change for the worse because of the illness. In addition, my financial situation did not allow me to seek treatment at a well-established facility.

As a result, I spent almost an entire year without making any attempt to get checked, despite being certain that there was a tumor in my body. I didn’t even attempt to find out if it was benign or malignant. During that time, I realized that I needed to undergo an examination before things got worse.

At that moment, I decided to secure an appointment at Baheya Hospitals and Centers to get checked, as I knew they offered free treatment and had an excellent medical reputation. When I arrived, I was examined by the doctor, conducted the necessary examinations and finally was scheduled for an appointment two weeks later to be informed of the results.

The medical team decided that I should undergo a complete removal of my left breast along with six sentinel lymph nodes. The tumor biopsy results revealed that my case required only hormonal treatment. Every time I went for follow-up and treatment, I felt sadness and discomfort. My husband, who understood my situation well, wanted me to feel a connection to the hospital, which led to the idea of my volunteering at Baheya.

I felt that the best thing I could do was to help other fighters during their treatment because it would improve their mental well-being and positively impact their treatment outcomes. Having studied psychology, I participated with the specialists in support sessions for cancer fighters.

I then began learning the art of accessories, beadwork, and other crafts, with the primary goal of teaching them to other fighters. I discovered that craft workshops provided these women with positive energy, distracting them from the depression caused by the illness, which greatly improved their mental state. Not only that, but these workshops also served as a source of income for many fighters who had no financial support. They created handmade items, and Baheya organized exhibitions to showcase these products, with all the profits going directly to the fighters.

Unfortunately, after a year and a half, cancer recurred, this time in the lymph nodes, in a different and more aggressive form. In addition to lymph node surgery, it was necessary to undergo chemo and radiation therapy, as well as a change in the hormonal treatment.

I was far more exhausted than the first time due to the different nature of the treatments, but I continued to participate in the craft workshops. As soon as I felt able to stand after chemo sessions, I would return immediately to contribute.

My life has completely changed after this adversity. I now have the energy to give back and a new purpose in life, something I never would have experienced without this illness.