Pick Yourself Up, Dust Yourself OffSource: Article and photo from TODAY (5th June 2009)
As Mdm Rahmah Anes battled breast cancer, her husband left her for another woman. Left with mounting medical bills, no income and three school-going children, she felt as though her “world was crumbling down”.
“At first, I felt very down and couldn’t stop crying after I was diagnosed with breast cancer. But I knew I had to live on for my children,” said Mdm Rahmah, who underwent a mastectomy in 2005 to remove her right breast.
As a result of the family upheavals, her youngest daughter, who was in Primary School, became severely depressed. Shuffling to and from her cancer treatment and her daughter’s psychiatric appointments, there wasn’t much time left for self-pity.
During those difficult moments, encouragement from one of the nurses at the Singapore
General Hospital gave her great comfort while she was undergoing treatment there. Sister Nagalingam Saraswathi — whom Mdm Rahmah affectionately calls Sister Sara — offered her the soothing encouragement that her absent husband was unable to give her.
“I concentrated on my treatment, and became a fighter for my kids,” she said. And that she did, fighting hard to put her life back on track. Shortly after, she joined a breast cancer support group and took up foot reflexology and massage courses so that she could find a job. In spite of her stoic outlook, life wasn’t smooth sailing. In 2006 and 2007, Mdm Rahmah developed a blood clot in her throat and cervical fibroids respectively. Both conditions required surgery.
But her poor health did not stop her from counselling and helping other cancer patients. Occasionally, she would accompany the patients she counselled to their chemotherapy sessions. “I didn’t want them to suffer the type of loneliness I had gone through,” she said.
Mdm Rahmah’s infectious optimism and lust for life made her the perfect candidate for
the SGH Inspirational Patient Award. Launched by the hospital last year, the award recognises patients who display a positive attitude towards their illness and recovery, and are a source of inspiration to fellow patients and healthcare professionals. Ten patients were presented with the award. Three of them were Oustanding Award winners and Mdm Rahmah was one of them.
Today, things have begun to look up for Mdm Rahmah, who now works as a part-time
massage therapist. Her husband, who works as a cleaner, has returned and their relationship is “back to normal for the sake of the children”.
“I’m happy that everything seems to be better. I just take one day a step at a time,” she said. “Whatever will be, will be.”
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Mr.Keropok's Thoughts:Indeed life is full of trouble and they often comes in all forms and definitely when we least expect it. And bad things can even befall on good people!
But some things that we can take heart and be inspired from this testimony of how adversities in life brought forth true grits.
1. Resilience in character is often developed, sparked forth and is contagious where there is strong support and encouragement from friends and loved ones around.
Practical application: In the fortunate state of life we are in, how then can we be a blessing and encouragement to those who are less fortunate or people whom are going through trials and challenges?
2. The way to moving on in life despite setbacks and adversities is really to give and not hold back. Just like Mdm Rahman, she gave back through helping out with other cancer patients. Other than being an encouragement to others, am certain this also helped her to move on with purpose - knowing that despite sickness, she may be down but not out.
Practical application: In whatever challenges and crisis that we face in life, we should all learn to take a step back and take bigger picture outlook. Instead of starring in defeat and feel wormy at our problems, why not see what we can learn from it? Or even give and help those around who are going through similar predicaments?
Let me end of by quoting to all what one of the youths that I mentor SMSed me one day during his BMT training...
"I may be PES C physically, but I will not be PES C in my mind!"
