Amal Al-Sibai Saudi Gazette Cancer fighter Hamza Iskander signs International Medical Center's new oncology board. — Courtesy photos JEDDAH — Surviving and overcoming hardship makes people stronger and prepares them to be great. Although as a child, Hamza Iskander underwent a heart surgery, he led a normal life. He graduated from high school and was studying finance at the College of Business Administration (CBA). Friendly and charismatic, Iskander loved hanging out with friends, traveling, starred in a television advertisement, and was always willing to rush to the service of his mother. He was leading a regular life, until two years ago, when a stage-3 stomach and esophageal cancer diagnosis hit him. Shock, uncertainty, fear, pain, and grief all struck him, but he remained optimistic. "Cancer opened my eyes. I saw all the moments in my life pass right in front of me and I realized that there was more to life. I could not give up; I owed it to my parents and to the people who loved me to try the treatment options. I believed that if I survived, then possibly God had chosen me to take on a mission; to help cancer patients," Iskander told Saudi Gazette. Since the cancer was advanced and aggressive, he went to a cancer center in Houston, Texas. where he underwent, chemotherapy, radiation, and multiple surgeries. Now, cancer-free and in complete remission, Iskander thanks God, his family, and the amazing staff at the oncology center for his recovery. Looking back, he said that his faith in God and regular recitation of the Qur'an did wonders in empowering him to cope with the agonizing side effects of chemo and radiation. His goal in life is to improve the care of cancer patients in the Kingdom. "Cancer patients here often suffer silently because people are not open about their problems and are not used to talking about the illness. "I started expressing how I was feeling and coping, each day of my therapy, to help people like me," said Iskander. "The toughest part for me was chemotherapy and radiation; it was worse than surgery. Among the distressing side effects were insomnia, nausea, and the inability to swallow my saliva. I had to literally spit in a Kleenex and throw it out. However, I fought the overwhelming nausea and forced myself to eat because chemotherapy causes weight loss, which weakens the body. Chemotherapy reduces the body's immunity as well. There were times when I doubted that it would all work." What kept him going during the most difficult times was his faith in God and the emotional, mental, and social support he received at the cancer center. It is this kind of support that Iskander dreams of offering all cancer patients here in the Kingdom. "When I went for my first radiation session, my radiologist told me that during the session, each patient selects something to listen to from the library of audio recordings, which helps them relax and eases the process.Knowing that I was Muslim, the radiologist asked me if I would prefer Shaikh Al-Sudais or Al-Shuraim, and which surah of the Qur'an was my favorite. When he saw the astonished look on my face, he asked if I wanted jazz instead. No, of course a recitation by Al-Sudais was perfect and I wanted Surah Al-Rahman. Listening to this beautiful surah kept me in a calm and peaceful state during my sessions and I memorized it." He further said: "No matter how exhausted I was after radiation, I always said 'Alamdulillah' and I explained to my radiologist what it means. I was thankful to God that I was alive to pray, that I had a family, a home, that I could still see and hear, and had so many blessings." The treatment rooms and halls at the oncology center are painted with cheerful colors. There is a green garden and park, where patients can walk and get some fresh air. Even with catheters, Iskander would go out for regular walks to rejuvenate his mind and body. Not a single elevator in the entire facility has a mirror, so the patient does not become perturbed from the reflection of a pale, fatigued, and sickly face. The cancer center has a lovely mosque and a church because spirituality is very important for the healing process. It is changes like these that Iskander hopes to introduce into oncology centers in the Kingdom. Iskander fought cancer with a smile, and he started recording short, funny videos of himself and posting them on social websites to inspire others to stay positive through the illness. Iskander's oncologist was so impressed by the idea that he started sharing Iskander's videos with other patients. Many healthcare facilities in the US are shifting towards a more comprehensive cancer treatment, which entails not only chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, but emotional support, education for the patient and family, social support, intellectual engagement, spirituality, and recreation. Upon his return to Jeddah, Iskander shared his ideas with Dr. Walid Fitaihi who himself a proponent of adopting a holistic approach to healthcare, and is also the CEO of the International Medical Center (IMC). Fitaihi and Iskander have many promising plans to spread positive vibes throughout the hospital. If a cancer patient feels like a helpless victim, the body is more likely to succumb to illness. Being active, involved, and optimistic throughout treatment increases survival rates. Among the changes they hope to make are social support groups, more educational seminars for patients and families, and entertaining programs for children with cancer. Chemotherapy and radiation are very rigorous, and patients need a lot of support. Last month, Iskander was invited to the IMC, and when he walked through its doors, he was surprised to see hundreds of people wearing t-shirts with the words "cancer fighter" written on them. Friends, family, and complete strangers had attended to welcome and congratulate him on his recovery, and support him in changing the face of cancer treatment in the Kingdom. “If you want to change the world, change begins within yourself. Once you change yourself, things around you will start changing,” said Fitaihi in his welcoming speech. They went together to the Oncology Center where Iskander climbed a ladder at the entrance to the center, and hung up a new sign, which says "Cancer Fighting Center, to replace the old one. From that day onwards, those being treated for cancer are to be referred to as cancer fighters, not cancer patients. The wheels of change have been set into motion. A large white board was set up in the Red Sea Mall and a message was written on it to be addressed to the Minister of Health, Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, requesting to change all oncology centers in the Kingdom to cancer fighting centers. In only two hours, 1,050 signatures were collected and the petition is still on-going. Shaikh Salman Al-Oadah signed the petition that will be sent to the Minister of Health in the near future.
