Be a Survivor: Living Well Beyond Breast Cancer

A Life-Changing Diagnosis

Ismat Gabula, a retired radiologist and sonologist, faced a significant life change when she discovered she had breast cancer. Since then, she has dedicated herself to raising awareness through her program, “BSE for Life,” which she started in 2019. Reflecting on her diagnosis, Ismat shares,

‍“One day I found a marble-sized hard lump in the right breast. This was cancer stage 2B with multiple lymph nodes. It took time to accept that this was indeed cancer, though deep down I was certain. When it was finally confirmed after the biopsy I felt that this was God’s way of telling me to step up and do something about it. So I called up all the women I knew, relatives and friends and told them to do their monthly checkups regularly.”

Ismat’s journey underscores the importance of regular self-examinations for early detection of breast cancer. Women over 20 should make this a monthly habit, as early detection significantly increases the chances of successful treatment.

Navigating Treatment with Support

Ismat’s experience with cancer treatments has been challenging, but she remains optimistic.

She notes, “If you have to have cancer, then breast cancer is a good one to have as it is a visible cancer, so it can be picked up early and can be tackled.”

She discusses the visibility of cancer treatments and how they can affect women emotionally.

‍“Because of the visibility [of cancer treatments], such as hair loss or mastectomies, women can be upset or worried. Now, however, there are many options available so this need not be an issue. There are cold/ice treatments for the hair while taking chemotherapy, which helps prevent hair loss. Wigs are available for all hair types. Reconstruction surgery is available and takes away the stigma of a mastectomy.”

To cope with the mental trauma and pain, Ismat emphasizes the value of support groups and online forums, which have become more accessible in recent years.

‍“These have increased in recent years and now it is easy to get help. Information is available online and ‘google’ is a great help.”

For Ismat, GetSetUp has been an essential resource, offering a variety of classes and communities that help her stay mentally engaged and connected with others who share similar experiences.

Staying Positive and Connected

Ismat’s journey has been difficult, especially during chemotherapy, which she describes as the toughest part of her treatment.

‍“Chemotherapy was the toughest part when I was going through the treatment. It was very agonizing. I developed a rare side effect due to one of the medications which made life very difficult. The residual effects did not leave my body and I still have painful peripheral neuropathy. Of course, this can be partially attributed to the medicine I am taking as maintenance therapy. Some days are just better than others.”

Despite these challenges, Ismat finds strength in staying positive and engaged.

She advises, “Count your blessings- every morning and every night. That is so important. Even in the worst situation, you can find a silver lining. That is the principle on which I have based my life. I tend not to get disheartened and therefore my mood is usually upbeat.”

GetSetUp plays a crucial role in helping her maintain this positive outlook, offering classes and activities that keep her mind active and her spirit uplifted.

For Ismat, cancer is just a chapter in her life, not the whole story.

She encourages others to “stay positive, pray, do things that you enjoy and are able and comfortable to do. Take up some hobbies and pursue them whenever you can. This will help you go through this period with minimal stress and heal well and quickly.”

Through GetSetUp, she has found hobbies and communities that enrich her life, helping her focus on what truly matters during her recovery.