Cancer can happen to anyone, but there is hope, as these two survivors tell us. As part of AirAsia’s partnership with the National Council Council Malaysia (MAKNA), we asked cancer survivors-turned-MAKNA volunteers to share with us their road to recovery. Read about their stories and find out below how you can help in the fight against cancer.
travel 3Sixty°: Please tell us about yourself.
AMYLIA MUSTAPHA: My name is Amylia Mustapha, 26 years old, from Sarawak. I was diagnosed with Endometrial Sarcoma Stage 3C at General Hospital Kuching, Sarawak in 2009.
JACOB MATHEWS: My name is Jacob Mathews, 72 years old, from Banting, Selangor. I retired from teaching after 33 years of service and was also a qualified coach and official in athletics, cricket, handball and badminton at national and international levels. I am a third stage cancer survivor.
Survivors-turned-volunteers Jacob Mathews and Amylia Mustapha
travel 3Sixty°: How did you find out about your cancer?
AM: I first noticed the symptoms when I started to suffer from blood loss and had to go through blood transfusion every month. I experienced long-lasting fatigue, breathlessness, fainting spells, paleness and poor appetite. Then the doctor confirmed the presence of a tumor and cancer in my uterus. I was only 19 then.
JM: It was after Sukan Malaysia in 1998, where I was part of the prize giving committee. That night, I decided to sleep on the floor as it was warm. When I woke up in the morning, I noticed a bulge in my thigh moving as I turned. My cousin, who was a doctor, made me see a doctor who then told me it was normal for a sportsman to have bigger muscle on the stronger leg. That consoled me, but my cousin insisted I see an orthopaedic specialist. I then appeared before the orthopaedic specialist, bringing along all my MRI films and the report. It was at this moment that I was given a shock of my life, when for the first time I heard the word “cancer”.
travel 3Sixty°: How did you and your family react to the news?
AM: I cannot describe how I felt at that moment, except that I thought of death as I had no awareness about cancer that time. The future looked dark, I couldn’t say a word. My mind felt blank and only God knows the feeling of a 19-year-old being diagnosed with uterine cancer.
My family accepted the fate calmly and was always by my side. They supported and encouraged me to continue with my daily routines as a student, although I knew that they were worried about my health. I am thankful to have my family who were always concerned and showered me with love.
JM: Tears started to roll from my eye and my immediate thought was the sad ending to my career and departing from my loving ones. Many things ran through my mind. During this period my whole family was shaken up, not knowing what to do but only seeking God’s power to heal me. But they gave me good support with my loving wife doing all the needful and my second son who was around at home.
travel 3Sixty°: What treatments did you undergo?
AM: The treatments included 3 rounds of chemotherapy in 3 weeks and radiotherapy for 28 times. These treatments helped kill all the active cancer cells in my body, but I felt weak during and after the treatment, losing weight, appetite and hair due to chemotherapy. However, I still continued with the treatment as I needed it to kill the cancer cells.
JM: After the biopsy, I was told to rest for two weeks. This period of time really made me go through many thoughts and many of my friends from various faiths wanted to take me for their prayers. It was confirmed that I had stage 3 muscle tissue cancer called Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma (MFH) with a high chance of attacking the bone and lung. The only option was to remove it with surgery, and I was told they will have to remove my right leg from the hip. What choice did I have other than to seek God’s intervention? I was told by the doctor that if the whole tumour is removed with nothing along the boundaries left behind, I will have an 80% chance of recovery.
I went through the seven-hour operation on the 25th of June 1998, including 32 cycles of Radiotherapy over a period of 3 months. Besides I had to go through several CT Scans of the lungs periodically and go on a follow up with the doctors until 2013 as this type of cancer, as I am told, will only show up in the lungs. I am a non-smoker and a tee-totaller, which has helped me a lot.
MAKNA’s Mobile Breast Screening Unit helps detect breast cancer. Other projects focus on awareness, treatment, research and support services. Photo courtesy of the MAKNA Facebook Page.
travel 3Sixty°: How are you now?
AM: I am free from cancer. The chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments ended in 2010. However, in 2014, I was diagnosed with end stage renal failure, which required hemodialysis treatments three times a week. However, I’ve never lost the will to continue living.
JM: Presently, I am able to walk short distances and do what I can for the helpless, needy and those afflicted by the same disease. I still cannot forget the day when my friends came to strengthen me by saying I would be alright. That’s why when I heard about MAKNA in 1999, I joined them and continue to do what I can to help those with the disease, support MAKNA’s mission, and also impart my experience.
travel 3Sixty°: What are the difficulties of living with cancer? How has all these changed your life? Your goals? Your relationships?
AM: The only difficulty of living with cancer is that I have to take care when it comes to stress as that is the main reason for cancer to recur. I have to take care of my diet and surroundings, to stay away from any pollution. All these have changed my life. I think of the importance of living this life to the fullest. That is why spreading love and being positive is the aim of my life. The relationships between me and my family, as well as my friends, have been strengthened. I’m thankful that everyone surrounding me has been understanding and good-hearted.
JM: As for me, initially it was difficult to accept the fact that I was down with the disease and I am sure many others in my situation would have felt it that way too. It was so difficult to have a positive attitude, but with prayers and comfort from family and friends this attitude changed. I began to feel that God wants to use me to help others and continue to use all talents and abilities for His glory.
I had given up all my sports activities in the early stages of my recovery but slowly I am back into it. Currently, I am the President of the Selangor Handball Association and the Advisor to the Selangor Athletics Association. In addition, I look after the development of athletics, cricket and handball in the district where I live. I have also produced a number of state cricket players.
As for relationships, we are a closely knit family–my wife, three sons and a daughter. We are blessed with 11 grandchildren. It is indeed a blessing from God for me to live on and see my children and my grandchildren going about their lives.
In 2013, I was awarded the Tokoh Guru of Malaysia and also Tokoh Sukan of Selangor.
travel 3Sixty°: Tell us about your work at MAKNA.
AM: In 2012, I registered as a volunteer with MAKNA and have since been working hard to raise awareness about cancer in Malaysia, especially those in rural areas.
MAKNA helped me to stay positive. Now that I am working with MAKNA, I help cancer heroes to get whatever help they need. This job gives me a lot of hope and spirit in helping others to continue their treatment, and keep up their spirit to live their lives fully.
JM: MAKNA is a wonderful organisation looking into many aspects of 3 big C’s. That is Cancer, Chemotherapy and Cash that goes with the sickness. All the above are dreaded by patients. Some decide to give up. But MAKNA comes to their aid.
I have been involved in numerous programmes organised by MAKNA since 1999. As a cancer survivor and Senior Volunteer of MAKNA I am able to give confidence and hope to those who are down. At the same time, it gives me great joy to touch the hearts of many who come in my way. I have been honoured by MAKNA as an Excellent Volunteer during MAKNA’s Volunteer Appreciation Night. To me the greatest award is from God Almighty who has given me a second life and I believe MAKNA is my best tool to move forward.
travel 3Sixty°: What can you say to people who are living with cancer, survivors and their families?
AM: Cherish every moment we have now as we are among the strongest. Remember that we are being tested but we are capable and strong.
For the family members, do not give up. Provide encouraging words and support for the cancer heroes as they need support from you. Most importantly, do not treat them as patients. Let them lead their lives as usual, but not overly control until they lose their spirit.
JM: All I can say is we have to move on and change our way of life, taking a complete hold of your life by being positive, taking all necessary treatment and saying ‘Yes God, I can do it with You.”
To the survivors : Be thankful you are safe and clear, so go out to do your part to help those out there who needs company and your support in whatever way to make the person well.
To the families, do not give up but show closeness and greatest love to your dear one, giving all that you can to make the person have hope and confidence. Always be positive.
Support MAKNA by purchasing the #AirAsiaMAKNA t-shirts here. Proceeds will be channelled directly to MAKNA. Hurry! The t-shirts are available for a limited time only.
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