I never felt any pain, but when I took my bath I felt a small lump. I told my children. My son told me to quickly go and see the doctor. They said it was second-stage breast cancer. In my head, I was thinking what to do, what to do? She gave me two choices – the doctor said she could either remove the lump or remove the breast. So, I said, OK, remove the whole breast.
For me, survival is the most important thing because at that point in time I was doing political work. I was also running my own business as well, driving a school bus. Within four days of my operation, I discharged myself from the hospital to run back to the children. Even the chief doctor came and scolded me, but my main focus was the children, and I didn't want them to be absent from school. The parents trusted me. You see, I could not give up halfway, or put them in trouble. So, I said no, I can manage.
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The worst part was the chemotherapy, and all my hair dropped out. That there is where I broke. Totally broke. Within one week, I think, lumps of hair were coming out. I really cried. I cried and cried and cried.
It's another thing that has made me strong - the crying, the situations, everything. That’s why wherever I see people, with cancer or anything at all, I quickly go and help them. I never give up hope and take all the pains and barriers as challenges in my life. As an ethnic minority woman, I face a lot of challenges and disadvantages in the community but that doesn’t stop me from working toward social change.
I try to be a role model for others who feel stuck and unable to do much about their situation, by uplifting and empowering especially the most vulnerable people in the community. I share my experience, and motivate them to bring out their full potential, to be brave and to speak out about the barriers and injustices they face.
Mala's story has been shared as a part of the Health and Social Care Alliance’s (the ALLIANCE) Self Management Month, a series of events running throughout September. Mala has been nominated for a Self Management Award. To join any of the free online events, please register using the link above.
Find out more information about the ALLIANCE’s Humans of Scotland project on their website.
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