“I have to be strong, I have to fight”: Holding Onto Hope in the Battle with Blood Cancer

The years have not been kind to Madam Kamisah Binte Samsudin. At 64 years old, when others are enjoying their silver years, she spends her days shuttling between doctors’ appointments and chemotherapy treatments.

Her journey began in 2021 when she found herself constantly breathless and it became difficult to stand up and walk around. Four trips to the A&E department later, she was sent for a full body check-up.

Madam Kamisah was diagnosed with myeloma, a type of blood cancer that originates from the plasma cells in the bone marrow.

A Paralysing Diagnosis

The diagnosis turned Madam Kamisah’s life topsy-turvy. She underwent 12 cycles of chemotherapy, the side effects of which made her feel weak and “like my body was in an oven”. She lost around 60kg as a result.

To make things worse, doctors also found that the cancer had impacted her spine and she had to operate to repair the damage. The surgery left her bedridden and unable to work.

She spent nine months in hospital with almost no visitors because of COVID-19 restrictions. The hospital stay also emptied her Medisave account.

A Strength Forged By Trials

But Madam Kamisah has always been a fighter. She worked tirelessly as a security officer throughout her youth to make ends meet as she raised her two children, even taking on double shifts when cash was tight.

In her family, she has also always been known as the “active one” who brings people together. In fact, the conversation takes a brighter turn as she chatters excitedly about her travels to Malaysia, the staycations she would organise and her passion for bowling.

“When I was young, I even went for a competition and got first place,” she exclaims, a note of pride in her voice.

So, although her myeloma diagnosis hit hard, Madam Kamisah was determined to soldier on. To keep her spirits up during her long hospital stay, she looked forward to daily visits from her daughter and the occasional Zoom call her children would organise with her extended family.

To regain her independence, she joined Singapore Cancer Society’s (SCS) rehabilitation centre and diligently practised the exercises her physiotherapist taught her. Slowly but steadily, she regained the ability to sit up, stand and walk on her own.

Hit by Blow After Blow

For a while, it seemed like the storm had passed. But just as Madam Kamisah began to regain her footing, her cancer relapsed — sending her back to the hospitals for more chemotherapy, which she is no longer sure she can afford.

To cope, she turns to her faith and takes comfort in the little pleasures in life: Spending time with her children and grandchildren, watching Netflix and even playing games on her phone.

The road ahead is fraught with uncertainties about her health and finances, but Madam Kamisah is determined not to give up. No matter what, she says, “I have to be strong, I have to fight”.