“No Need To Be Shy. We Are All in This Together.”
When Sudha Muthukrishnan was told she had stage 1 breast cancer, her face betrayed no emotion. She simply asked the surgeon about the next steps.
But it was a phone call to her husband that unleashed the floodgates. “My inner feelings and tears poured out once I had to tell someone I had cancer,” she said, noting that her husband had also been diagnosed with cancer five years ago. The couple had been planning for a holiday.
And yet, this moment of vulnerability gave her strength. Her husband and son ended up becoming her “two pillars” of support as she navigated her cancer journey.
Losing Her Hair
Sudha opted for a mastectomy of her affected breast, hoping it would eliminate the need for further interventions. Unfortunately, this was not the end. Since her cancer was HER2-positive – a condition where cancerous cells grow and spread faster – she was advised to undergo chemotherapy and further treatment.
The physical changes were hard to bear. Prior to chemotherapy, she pre-emptively chopped off her long, thick hair as she did not want to experience bits and chunks falling off. “I knew I wouldn’t be able to face it,” she said.
Losing one breast, she could accept. But when her eyebrows and lashes started to fall, she felt profound sadness. Her body was changing beyond her control.
“The Best Thing I Did”
However, with loss comes hope. “Never think that your problem is the worst because there is someone out there who is in a worst situation than you,” Sudha advised.
Finding support is crucial. For Sudha, joining the Bishana Ladies Group – a support group for female cancer survivors and patients – was the “best thing” she ever did.
Through the group, run by the Singapore Cancer Society (SCS), Sudha discovered a community of cancer warriors. She transformed her hitherto “boring” office-to-home schedule into one packed with activities, events, and friendships. “It transformed me into a warrior, able to face difficult challenges, ready to face life with zest and courage,” she declared.
Today, Sudha takes part in weekly dragon-boating, exercise and dancing activities thanks to SCS. Besides that, she also goes for pole-dancing and jumping activities – things she never “dreamed” she would be able to do.
Advice to Others
Reflecting on her battle with cancer, Sudha sees her journey as a second chance at life, which has made her a more compassionate and understanding individual with a profound love for life. She urges others to go for regular and early screening especially if you suspect something is not right. “Listen to your body,” she said.
Drawing on her experiences, she encourages other cancer survivors to emerge “from their shells” and to join support group and activities, including the many run by SCS. Many cancer warriors – especially those who have undergone transformative physical changes – worry about how others will see them, a concern which Sudha reassures them about. “No need to be shy. We are all in this journey together,” she urges them.
Her message to others facing cancer is clear: "Remember, you can fight this. Never give up and always reach out for help."