Doaa, Egypt

Cancer turned my world upside down.

I am a mother of four. When my youngest daughter was just a year old, she suffered a stroke that left her with a permanent disability. For years, I poured every ounce of my energy into her care. I lived in a constant state of grief; my heart was heavy, and I was consumed by her pain. I am certain that this profound sadness was the catalyst for my breast cancer.

My world shrank until it revolved entirely around hospitals, treatments, surgeries, and blood transfusions. I was emotionally shattered.

In the midst of that darkness, I felt a sharp pain in my breast. After seeking help at several centers, I found Baheya Foundation. There, I discovered the healthcare I had been searching for, a place that prioritized both my physical and psychological well-being. From chemotherapy and surgery to post-operative care, I felt truly held and supported through every stage of my treatment.

Sadly, during my hardest moments, my children were the only ones by my side. Even my own siblings distanced themselves for reasons I still don't fully understand. Perhaps, like many, they feared that cancer was contagious. They weren't the only ones who walked away; many people let me down. But God compensated me with a new family—people who stepped in to offer the comfort and support I so desperately needed.

In the beginning, I was weak. But I found strength in my fellow fighters at Baheya, the psychosocial support team, and the compassionate healthcare providers. They constantly reminded me that I was not walking this path alone.

Cancer changed my life by breaking the cycle of obsession I had with my daughter’s illness. Before, I was an exhausted, frail mother living only for her child’s recovery. Cancer transformed me into a woman who prioritizes her own health and mental state.

I realized that to care for my home, my children, and my daughter, I had to put myself first. If I fall, my children fall with me. I learned to strike a balance: I am a caregiver, yes, but I am also a person who deserves care.

Recently, I joined the psychosocial support department’s workshops and learned the art of canvas embroidery. I’ve started my own project to increase my income and develop my skills, crafting handmade canvas bags. My goal now is to showcase my work at the fighters exhibitions hosted by Baheya.

Today, even while I wait during my daughter’s treatment sessions, I spend my time embroidering.

Cancer was supposed to destroy my life, but instead, it changed it for the better. It taught me that to be strong for others, I first had to be strong for myself.