"I am still the champion"

Noura who was a former member of the Egyptian national swimming team had to face the scenario of removing her entire breast (mastectomy) due to cancer. "Mastectomy was the earthquake that hit my life. Phone calls; overseas and local, dashed into my hospital room, simply to announce: Now I have become the centre of attention!”
Everybody was worried and anxious. My reaction to all this was to just calm them down and assure them I as fine.
During my hospital stay, the analysis results showed that I had grade 2 cancer, and I was told that I would need chemotherapy. I couldn’t think of the coming stages as I was busy with visitors, happy with the beautifully arranged flowers and the delicious assortment of chocolates.
I was feeling good when I left the hospital and was ready to resume my life with my family.

Ever since all this started, my husband was considering my treatment in France or Germany. This didn’t happen because I wouldn’t be comfortable away from home; besides, similar medical facilities have become familiar and available in Egypt.
On my first visit to the oncologist, to learn about my treatment stages, he said (what I felt): “You are fine”. Although I read a book and some articles about breast cancer and its healing, I didn’t know how the actual experience would be like.
Few hours after the first chemo injection, my condition was rather difficult due to continuous vomiting. This lasted for a day and gradually disappeared by the third day. During this period, my husband helped me with prescribed pills and fresh juice. I remember I couldn’t eat anything and my sense of smell was so strong that some particular perfumes function today as reminisces of the chemotherapy. On the fourth day I could eat lightly and as of the tenth day I felt pretty good; I could run errands, drive and even do the house work with no problems.
My sister was keen about my nutrition and did a great job in helping me get ready for the next shot. Yet, good nutrition and rest added some pounds to my weight. As for my hair, I had it short and felt it was falling out only a couple of days after each chemo injection. By ending the chemo stage my hair didn’t look like it needed to be covered.
With radiation I felt weak most of the time, needed to rest every now and then, and no burn marks scarred my skin as I followed the instructions carefully.
Surprisingly, when both stages of chemo and radio were over, I couldn’t make any effort; I couldn’t even pursue any of my hobbies such as reading, painting, or even playing the piano. I felt so feeble, but my doctor assured me that I would regain my energy, and advised me to try to exercise every day. I started off by walking, I remember the first time I couldn’t exceed ten minutes! However, duration increased as I gradually gained my energy. Following therapy, I had this chat with Dr.Azim and his team about the possibility of having a breast reconstruction. He encouraged me to go for this step. He told me that we are done with our treatment and it's may be time to return everything back again to normal.
With the same concept they advised me to start swimming again as it was best for my arm. I followed his orders and swam as much as I could to the extent that now I joined the masters swimming team and practice regularly and won the third medal prize in 100m in June 2004. Just like yesterday "I am still the champion"
In the meantime I swim so I can participate in the Masters Olympics in 2005, Canada, while also painting so I can show some of my work for the first time in an exhibition with a group of women artists in 2005. In many ways I feel my life has changed to the better….