Shamas is 48 years old, separated, has 3 boys and 1 girl and is a housewife. She diagnosed with breast cancer stage II. She finished treatment 8 months prior to the interview. She had a mastectomy, chemotherapy and hormonal treatment.
Shamas is a reserved person and spoke in a constant tone, some points were given more emphasis especially those related to being spiritual and accepting God’s will. Some issues were less apparent in the interview such as the impact of cancer on family. Her experience with the health care provision was not positive as she claimed being diagnosed with a benign tumor by a general physician and waiting for a year before knowing that it was a breast cancer. For her, doctors were not professional in terms of breaking …show more content…
She was diagnosed with breast cancer stage II in early 2011 and finished treatment in 2013. She had a lumpectomy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and hormonal treatment.
Azizha has a strong family history with breast cancer since her young sister had breast cancer. Azizah is aware of the genetic association with breast cancer thus she worried about her daughters having breast cancer. The unique element of Azizah’s experience is the extent to which her sister’s experience with breast cancer has influenced hers too:
I don’t know how I can explain it to you. Hmmm, I had a feeling that one day I would be just like my sister and it happened (Azizah).
She described how her role doubled by being the caregiver of her sister with breast cancer and the patient at the same time. Azizah decided to keep her diagnosis hidden from her family especially from her sister who was in her second cycle of chemotherapy. The consequences of this decision left her suffering alone and in need for family support which was only focused on her young sister:
Her situation was better than mine because, she was surrounded by my family, paying for her. I wish I could tell them please pray for me too but I couldn’t (tear)
Shamas is a reserved person and spoke in a constant tone, some points were given more emphasis especially those related to being spiritual and accepting God’s will. Some issues were less apparent in the interview such as the impact of cancer on family. Her experience with the health care provision was not positive as she claimed being diagnosed with a benign tumor by a general physician and waiting for a year before knowing that it was a breast cancer. For her, doctors were not professional in terms of breaking …show more content…
She was diagnosed with breast cancer stage II in early 2011 and finished treatment in 2013. She had a lumpectomy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and hormonal treatment.
Azizha has a strong family history with breast cancer since her young sister had breast cancer. Azizah is aware of the genetic association with breast cancer thus she worried about her daughters having breast cancer. The unique element of Azizah’s experience is the extent to which her sister’s experience with breast cancer has influenced hers too:
I don’t know how I can explain it to you. Hmmm, I had a feeling that one day I would be just like my sister and it happened (Azizah).
She described how her role doubled by being the caregiver of her sister with breast cancer and the patient at the same time. Azizah decided to keep her diagnosis hidden from her family especially from her sister who was in her second cycle of chemotherapy. The consequences of this decision left her suffering alone and in need for family support which was only focused on her young sister:
Her situation was better than mine because, she was surrounded by my family, paying for her. I wish I could tell them please pray for me too but I couldn’t (tear)