Two women from Abu Dhabi, who once battled the darkest days of breast cancer, found strength in faith and family during their fight. Despite facing fear and uncertainty, their determination to persevere remained unshaken.
Now, having recovered, both women are channeling that resilience into helping others, turning their experiences from despair into hope.
‘I Lived in the Moment’
At 34, Sara Al Sheebani was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer and chose to confront it directly. “I discovered the illness in July 2013,” she said. “We immediately proceeded with surgery.” Determined to prevent her condition from advancing, she accepted treatment without delay. “I underwent chemotherapy for six months and completed radiation in a month, recovering by April 2014.”
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“They mentioned it was unusual to have cancer at my age, but I thanked God and embraced the illness positively. I never feared it; I was focused on how to treat it.” She attributes her perseverance to her family and her mindset. “My family supported me from the start, after God,” she noted. “But I always say, if the patient doesn’t motivate herself and accept the disease, even with all the support in the world, it wouldn’t work.”
Sara Al Sheebani
She admitted that chemotherapy was challenging. “The first three months were the hardest because of the harsh chemotherapy that burns and weakens the immune system, but I never lost hope.” Even as her body weakened, she refused to isolate herself. “I continued going to malls and parks and didn’t confine myself to the house. I aimed to do things that benefited society,” she added.
When Sara lost her hair during the first chemo session, she maintained her confidence. “I had no hair but still wore makeup,” she recalled. Despite gaining 20 kilograms due to hormonal changes, she continued socializing, attending events, and found joy in small pleasures like shopping. “I lived my life; I lived in the moment.”
After recovery, her life took a joyful turn. “I married later and started IVF treatment. Thank God, it helped me give birth,” she said, smiling. “Next month, my baby will be one year old.”
The experience transformed her approach to life and work. “Chemotherapy changed my thinking,” she said. “I switched from finance to human capital. I realized I didn’t need to be so stressed because I saw its impact on my health.”
Rare Case
For Wiaam Al Hashmi, an executive coach in Abu Dhabi, her breast cancer fight began just months ago but has already inspired many. “I discovered the disease in February 2025,” she said. “At Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, Dr. Aisha Al Salami examined me and started treatment.”
Dr. Aisha noted the quick progression from diagnosis to treatment. “We started within two to three weeks,” she said. “The treatment included chemotherapy with targeted therapy because it was triple-positive… six doses, followed by surgery and radiation. She completed radiation last week and will continue with hormonal therapy.”
Wiaam Al Hashmi with Dr. Aisha
Wiaam’s body reacted severely to chemotherapy. “The first dose was intense,” she said. “I experienced significant skin sensitivity, and my entire body felt like it was burning.” Dr. Aisha added, “She’s a rare case, experiencing nearly every side effect… even facing complications during surgery.”
The emotional impact was equally intense. “The first three days were shocking,” Wiaam said. “I turned off my phone and isolated myself to regain balance. The first and most crucial step is self-talk—fixing your internal dialogue is vital in this battle.”
Once she regained her composure, she continued her professional life despite the pain. “I chose to keep coaching even while sick,” she said. “The first three days after each dose were very tough, but I returned to giving sessions. Sometimes I walked like a penguin from leg pain, but nobody at work noticed I was ill.”
Her daughter, a medical student, struggled with fear. “It was hard for her because she knows what chemo can do,” Wiaam explained. “She would say, ‘It can cause hearing loss or other issues.’ It was tough for both of us.”
Her lowest point came after her third chemotherapy session. “I told my father, ‘Maybe I won’t wake up tomorrow. I’m exhausted,’” she recalled. “It wasn’t just pain—I felt my body had reached its limit.” When her hair started falling out, she took charge of the situation. “As soon as I noticed it, I went to the salon and shaved my head like a teenager,” she said. “I made it a celebration—brought sweets, hired a photographer, and took photos in white. I wanted to document my journey and see where I’d been.”
Now, with her hair growing back and strength returning, Wiaam’s reflections are filled with clarity and courage. “It’s about how you choose to go,” she said. “We will all die, but I wanted to go to class as a fighter.”
