SINTOK: Battling stage four cancer and a frail body, 24-year-old Nor Shamira Irwani Farid refused to let her illness deny her a place on the graduation stage.
Today, she walked across Dewan Mu’adzam Shah in Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) to receive the Vice-Chancellor’s Gold Award from the Sultan of Kedah, Al-Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah.
The Bachelor of Social Work Management graduate was diagnosed with Classic Hodgkin Lymphoma on Aug 19 and is still undergoing chemotherapy.
She said the diagnosis came just 10 days after completing her industrial training.
By Sept 17, doctors confirmed the cancer had reached stage four, having spread to her liver, lungs and spleen.
“In the early phase, the treatment was very intense and I had to be warded. I accepted that I probably wouldn’t make it to convocation.
“But after two cycles, the doctors said there was positive progress — the cancer had shrunk significantly, leaving mostly scar tissue. The treatment was then changed to a milder regime, and I was allowed to attend,” she said after UUM’s 38th Convocation Ceremony today.
The youngest of three siblings, Nor Shamira, who hails from Nilai, Negri Sembilan, said she now undergoes chemotherapy once every two weeks at the daycare unit, without needing to be hospitalised.
“This is also the first time I’ve been allowed to travel far from home since starting treatment. I was worried, but thankfully I’m stable — my appetite is good and my mood is steady,” she said.
Her journey, however, has been anything but easy. Apart from cancer, she has been living with bipolar type 2 and received psychiatric treatment throughout her studies.
“I noticed a small lump on the right side of my neck back in October 2022, but with classes and student responsibilities, I ignored it. When I began my practicum earlier this year, the lump grew larger and multiplied,” said the high-achiever, who graduated with a CGPA of 3.94.
During her four-month training at Universiti Malaya Medical Centre, she travelled frequently to Kuala Lumpur Hospital for tests and biopsies until doctors confirmed she had blood cancer.
“I see it as Allah’s perfect timing. At least I managed to finish my degree before finding out. If I had known earlier, I don’t think I would have been this strong,” she said, her voice trembling.
Shamira, who aspires to become a lecturer in medical social work, said her strength comes from the prayers and unwavering support of her parents, family, friends and lecturers.
She said the three things that anchored her were determination, prayer and support.
“To those battling chronic illness or mental health challenges, don’t give up. Illness doesn’t dictate your success.
“Hold on to hope, no matter how small, because there will always be people praying for you,” she said.
Shamira is currently in her third chemotherapy cycle, with three more to go.
“I know it’s hard to stay strong. If you need to cry, cry. Then stand up again. Hold on to the support around you, that’s what keeps me moving forward,” she added.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
