Afaf Ghalib: The Inspiring Story of Battle Against Cancer

Alia Mohammed – Sawt Al-Amal (Voice of Hope)

Cancer is one of the most impactful and widespread health diseases globally. It leaves deep physical and psychological scars on those afflicted. Despite the immense challenges this disease poses, many inspiring stories reveal the strength of the human will and its ability to overcome adversity and persevere.

While cancer causes pain and suffering, numerous stories highlight the power of the human will to confront challenges with determination and resolve. These individuals do not succumb to the disease or its psychological and physical effects but continue their struggle with hope and confidence.

Willpower and Determination

Afaf Ghalib Muhammad Hasan, Head of the Compensatory Education Department and Supervisor of Student Activities in the Ministry of Education in Al-Ma’alla Directorate of Aden Governorate is one woman who fought a great battle against cancer and did not give up. Instead, she became a symbol of hope and courage. Throughout her treatment, she reflected on the strength of her will to overcome difficulties, and the support of her family and friends was a great source of strength for her, helping her return to her normal life.

She recounts her story, saying: “When I felt the lump, I initially thought it was just a hormonal lump related to pregnancy, especially with the milk, according to my consultations with my mother and those around me. However, the lump was accompanied by severe pain that persisted throughout the pregnancy and after childbirth, which led me to suspect that I might have cancer.”

She pointed out that three months after giving birth, her brother insisted that she undergo the necessary tests at the General Cancer Control Institution to determine the cause of the lump. After conducting initial tests such as ultrasound, mammogram, and CT scan, the shocking diagnosis came; she was confirmed to have stage two cancer. Despite the great shock, Afaf was able to compose herself in the face of this harsh news.

Afaf says: “The news was like an earthquake in my life. I felt like my world had collapsed, and what hurt me the most was that I would have a mastectomy while I was still breastfeeding my three-month-old baby. But I pulled myself together and insisted that I had to be strong in the face of the disease for the sake of my family, and I assured them that I should not give up.”

The Journey of Treatment

Afaf’s treatment journey began with a mastectomy, a phase she describes as one of the most unforgettable days of her life. Despite the difficulty of this stage, Afaf did not give up but continued to challenge herself with courage and determination. Twenty days after the surgery, the chemotherapy stage began.

Afaf talks about the chemotherapy stage, saying: “It was not an easy stage, especially since my body was still exhausted from the cesarean section, in addition to the mastectomy.”

She adds: “The body that suffered from surgery needed time to heal, which made chemotherapy double the physical and psychological suffering. During chemotherapy, I was subjected to a medical error resulting from an overdose, but by Allah’s grace, I survived it and continued to receive treatment; I completed six more doses, and this experience is a lesson in patience and perseverance in following the treatment despite the great challenges.”

The experiences of cancer survivors vary, but many face physical and psychological difficulties during treatment. From the physical pain caused by chemotherapy and its side effects to the psychological suffering resulting from the patient’s fear of the future, the greatest challenge is to remain hopeful and able to continue.

But Afaf’s experience shows that will and courage can overcome the most difficult circumstances, and that hope can remain ignited even in the darkest moments.

Complications and Challenges in Afaf’s Treatment Journey

Afaf talks about the difficult challenges she faced during chemotherapy, explaining that this stage is one of the most difficult stages of treatment due to the strong side effects that accompany it. She says: “Chemotherapy works to kill healthy cells along with cancer cells, which weakens the body’s immunity and exposes it to serious complications, such as severe fatigue, exhaustion, nausea, and hair loss.”

These symptoms greatly affect the patient’s psychological state, making the stage more difficult, which emphasizes the importance of the patient having great patience to face these challenges; as will and patience are the basis for overcoming this difficult stage.

After completing chemotherapy, Afaf began the radiation therapy stage, but she faced a major challenge in obtaining the treatment; due to the unavailability of this type of treatment in Aden, she had no choice but to travel to Sana’a Governorate to receive radiation therapy. This move was not easy, especially amidst the difficult health and economic conditions that the country was going through.

Afaf confirms that one of the most prominent obstacles she faced during treatment was the lack of essential drugs and medical resources, which negatively affected the course of treatment. Also, the PET scan, which is one of the essential devices for closely monitoring cancer patients, is not available in Yemen, which forces patients to travel abroad to receive treatment, which is very difficult in light of the difficult economic conditions that the country is experiencing.

This lack of medical equipment exposes many patients to the risk of delaying stages of treatment or not completing them, which increases the chances of complicating the patient’s health condition.

Social and Psychological Support Psychological and social support plays a vital role in helping female cancer survivors overcome the challenges associated with the disease. This support not only helps in treating negative emotions but also contributes to enhancing the patient’s mental health, which enhances their ability to continue treatment and face difficulties.

Afaf Ghalib confirms that willpower and struggle are the basis for overcoming health challenges, as she says: “A person will not return as they were, but with will and struggle and with the support of family and the community, they can overcome many complications.” These words reflect the strength of her will and the firmness of her determination in facing the disease; as the family and social support were the main factors in enabling her to overcome the most difficult stages of the treatment journey.

In addition to family support, Afaf chose to join support groups for cancer survivors; where she met and communicated with women who had gone through the same experience. She says: “The support group for survivors had a great impact on my psyche, and I started sharing my experience and story and listening to the experiences of survivors and fighters and their stories with this disease, and I felt that I was not alone in this battle, and it increased my determination and resolve to defeat the disease and fight it.”

A New Life

After a long treatment journey, Afaf gradually returned to her normal life. Despite the difficult circumstances she went through, she was able to continue her work and perform her household and family duties with all her strength and determination. Thanks to her willpower, she lives with the disease without allowing it to completely affect her life.

Afaf says: “Cancer is known as the disease of death, but everyone should know that with will and determination, we can overcome it and that society must accept this disease and should not judge patients that they will be bedridden or die, or look at them with pity or mercy.” These words reflect the strength of her belief and her determination to continue living life despite all the challenges. Afaf expresses her conviction that a person can live their life normally even after a harsh diagnosis if the will is strong.

In a message of support and encouragement to cancer survivors, Afaf offers her advice, saying: “You must resist; because life is long ahead of us, and there are a large number of fighters who have survived this disease.”

Afaf concludes her advice by saying, “We must continue with periodic check-ups and follow the instructions of every doctor to ensure our safety even if no symptom or lump appears.”

Through willpower and strong determination, Afaf was able to return to her normal life, despite the great economic, psychological, and health challenges she faced due to the disease. Her message is a call for hope and perseverance for fighters and an emphasis on the need for social acceptance and continuous support for patients to live a decent life even after a harsh diagnosis.