Susie Rajoo,
Breast Cancer Survivor
Eight years before her breast cancer diagnosis, Susie Rajoo was already volunteering at the Hospital of Selayang. She provided a listening ear to patients, and always advised others to go for their breast screening.
“But I never went for mammograms – I was too afraid of the pain,” Susie says. “And when I found a lump on my left breast, I was too busy. By the time I went for one, six months had passed since the lump appeared.”
The following treatment took away her hair, strength, and gave her pain. Depressed and unable to share her worries with her family, she sobbed away in the bathroom. “I had to put on a brave front so that everyone would believe that everything was fine.”
But she did pick herself up – somewhere throughout the six cycles of chemotherapy and 25 cycles of radiotherapy. “I would cry, and then I’d start singing out loud to make myself stop. You have to get up at some point, because the world keeps turning, and time will not stop.”
She also never stopped cooking every day for her two children, who in turn grew up quickly and became more responsible because of her illness.
This year, Susie celebrates her eighth year of survival. She is still volunteering for the Selayang Hospital. In addition, she’s an active participant at Pink Unity, our women cancer support group.
“We help each other heal through music and beading. Being in the support group, and with my peers, has changed my life – now I do live with gusto, and do things that I was not bold enough to do before.”
She’s also learned to love herself more, and give herself space and time. Her antidote to cheering up: “Go for a trip or sing your heart out at karaoke.”
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