Testimonials |
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Keeping Head Up - Masha
Kolyada
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1.
I was enjoying a
wonderful expat life
in Kuwait until the
summer holiday in
Denmark where on
July 4th 2009; I
found a lump in the
left breast after a
routine
self-examination
under the shower. It
wasn't a shock;
there is so much
educating literature
everywhere. The
lumpectomy was
performed shortly
after. But I got
goose bumps when 2
more lumps in the
lymph system were
found a month later.
Obviously, time was
against me! So, I
was literary
counting days for
the treatment to
start! |
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2.
The first "red"
chemo was scheduled
on 12 November 2009.
The Treatment is
challenging,
especially when the
immediate family is
far away to support
.The photo on the
left is the last
with the "old" hair
taken on November
14. I was pulled out
of bed to attend the
bazaar - no need to
waist time feeling
sorry for you. The
hair started falling
out by the end of
the first week.
Since I knew this
was to happen, I
asked a friend to
simply chop it all
off with a hair
trimming machine!
Luckily, another
friend had just
passed by with 50
beautiful shawls and
a few hats
especially for me!
3. Must admit -
it would have been
impossible to go
through 8 chemo's,
followed by a month
of radiation and a
year of Herceptin
drops without
constant help of
friends & family in
Kuwait and abroad! I
just could not fail
them! |
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4.
Everyone encouraged
me to get a hobby -
mine was
photography, I
really enjoyed going
to the Kuwait
desert. |
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| 5. It was an
honor to participate
in the First HAYATT
Patients Annual
Forum in March 2010
and present the
collage below, from
my exploratory trips
of the Kuwait
desert, to such
generous foundation.
I appreciate the
chance to live the
life the Foundation
so generously gave
me! |
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6. Hair
started growing as
soon as the chemo
treatment was over.
The photo below was
taken on 26 April
2010 when the
support group made
me takes, off the
scarf! |
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7.
Last Herceptin was
on 3 Feb 2011. On
the day the
port-a-cath was
removed. There were
pupils walking
through all the
wards supporting
patients they were
so touching! Glad
the treatment is
over. Was it
difficult and hard,
yes! Was it worth
it, yes, yes, yes!
To have all
those numerous
helping hands
extended to me in
Kuwait meant a lot!
I am grateful to the
generosity of the
Kuwaiti people who
have given donations
on my behalf. It is
truly a gift of
life! May their
kindness be
rewarded! |
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8.
Life continues...
Hayatt's wink &
message of hope...
Meet Masha The star!
Masha our mascot
dressed as a nurse
in one of the
hospitals of Kuwait
while shooting an
Egyptian movie, 27
Mai 2011 (three
months after
completion of her
treatment) |
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