> Cancer saved my life

[Umm Marwa Mustafa]




I was browsing the web looking for online cancer support for muslims, and I came across your site.

I am a 35 year old single woman, I have recently embraced Islam, and I am positive it is the greatest decision I have ever made in my entire life. I am a survivor of breast cancer (diagnosed 2 years ago), and I can tell you that up until then I lived as an atheist, and that my cancer diagnosis, initially, did not help. I was at the time, already, a very unhappy person. I believe I was actually under the impression that it would at last provide an end to my miserable life. But as time went on, and I found myself fighting to stay alive (chemo, surgery, radiation, more chemo…), I at last gained an appreciation for my life.


As for my atheism, getting loose of those ideas was an extended process, and it certainly didn’t happen overnight. I knew something was missing, I just couldn’t put my finger on it. I did some research on Islam, and it seemed to me the more I read, the more what I was reading seemed to be the Truth. I wanted to declare Shahadah, but I felt I needed a deeper understanding of what I was getting into before I did so… It seemed all I wanted to do was read and read. Television (my former best friend) and antidepressants, sleep aids, among other things, fell to the wayside of my life, and finally just disappeared.


I did, finally, declare Shahadah about a month ago. I have epilepsy, so I do not drive, and I live with my mother, an avid atheist herself, and mashaAllah, she did accept my decision, but my father shunned me entirely. Many other challenges have presented themselves as well, I live in the southern US, and the town I live in is not exactly Muslim friendly… I actually had one man swerve his truck at me and accelerate and I had to jump onto a neighbor’s lawn to keep from getting killed (my wearing hijaab has not gone over well here at all) and this was in my own neighborhood! Funny though, I went home and prayed for him. The sisters I have met at the masjid have been very helpful, and I have now a ride on Fridays.

Now in the last two weeks, I have developed some new symptoms, and tomorrow I’m off to the cancer center for a PET scan…insha Allah, it is only an infection that has caused my lymph nodes to swell, among other new physical symptoms the doctors don’t seem to be able to explain. These new items were visible only, but now, I am in a lot of pain. And the amazing thing about all of this is that no matter what happens with my PET and upcoming angiogram, I am not as disturbed as I would think I should be. I feel that Allah (swt) spared my life for a reason, and whether the cancer has returned or not, I am nothing but grateful for my life. I got a second chance, and I am so glad that I did not die with my eyes closed and my heart solid as stone. (Wow… sorry to get all metaphorical on you!)


Anyway, one thing that has been on my mind is Zakaah. I have not worked in 2 years, I am fortunate though, that my mother has been so supportive all of this time. Not being able to drive a car presents also a wide variety of obstacles in many regards. As I am pretty much a baby to Islam, I don’t know if I can offer spiritual help, but if my story can help anyone feel better, I am happy to share it. I am positive that Allah (swt) blessed me with cancer, because I don’t think I would have found Islam without it!!
I do make regular trips to the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, FL, and will be doing so for some time regardless of my upcoming test results…I always see literature (magazines, pamphlets, etc.) about Christianity all over the place, but I have never seen any on Islam. Now that I know the Truth, I find this so hard to believe, and quite sad actually. I don’t know how/where I could acquire such literature, but I would be honored to be able to place some there. I plan to see a woman there tomorrow who runs the non-denominational pastoral care dept., and I plan to give her the Muslim cancer support website address, as well as your email address. Insha Allah, it will be of assistance to someone there. Please let me know if there is anything else you think I can do. I will also make du’a for the success of this site, it is so important for all of us.


Thank you for taking the time to read this, I tried to keep it slightly brief… I could go on and on and on…Again, if you could aid me in acquiring such literature to place in hospital on Islam, I would be grateful.


Peace be with you sister,
Kat Burgoon

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