Man Whose Wife Battled With Breast Cancer Shares Their Experience

A young man named
Babar Shaikh has shared the challenges his wife encountered after she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Read his post below as shared on LinkedIn:

6th Jan 2022, we found a lump on my wifes chest. 2 weeks, countless hours of waiting in hospital lobbies, meeting numerous oncologist and breast surgeons and a million scans later, our world turned upside down.

Zahra had stage 2 invasive ductal carcinoma, a highly malignant breast cancer which was fast growing.

More than a sense of dread, there was anxiety and confusion before we internalised the fact that the battle was yet to come. But this was also when we made a decision-one where we would not let cancer run the narrative.

This post is more than just about cancer. Zahra had a full time job, a budding business and I was transitioning into a new job. In the midst of this, we were caught in the eye of the storm. The treatment regimen would lead to severe changes mentally and physically for the both of us.

From vacating our home, and moving in with my in laws (owing to the extra care she would need during her fight with the disease) to proactively getting our scans and appointments done. Diet, sleep and self nourishment became important like never before.

A nerve wracking 6 months of chemo therapy saw her lose her hair, not function for days after a chemo session, lose her taste of food or water for days on end and was general fatigue and lethargy.

The lesson here, though, is this; she didn’t allow her reality to change her life. She kept her job (despite first taking a sabbatical), she kept adding value to brands the way shes always done day in day out. She grew her cheesecake business manifold. Her social media presence increased 4x, sales went through the roof and she made a brand that has become a “household name” in many quarters – all from the confines of her bed.

A lesson in fighting with grace, if there was ever one.

Another lesson here is of support. Our families, our friends AND our teams at work. We found an over flow of kindness, from close ones as well as people we were barely acquainted with. A humbling reminder that there is so much good in this world.

Her boss at work told her to come back in whatever capacity she could so she could continue working, giving her every flexibility there could possibly ever be. The office created an environment where she didnt feel pressurized to work. What kept her going were kind words and appreciation of all she was doing by her colleagues.

Transitioning into my new role, my manager told me to take as much time as I wanted after joining, to tend to zahra -hospital runs, work from home to stay with her -she gave me all the space in the world. My colleagues were more than happy to step in when i wasn’t available and were always there to go that extra step if needed. Because of them this journey became easier to navigate through. We couldnt be more grateful for their love and support.

Compassion and kindness, at home and at work, go a long way. Everyones fighting their battles, lets create systems that can make it just a tad bit easier for them.

Source:Babar Shaikh|LinkedIn

Email: elora.akpotosevbe@yahoo.com