SPM 2008: 12 As for student who beat cancer

SPM 2008: 12 As for student who beat cancer

By Zainuddin Muhammad

2009/03/13

KUALA TERENGGANU: For Nor Amalina Abd Rahman, who scored 12 As in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), the examination was nothing compared with the test she went through two years ago. The 15-year-old is lucky to be alive today after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer, which doctors fought with chemotherapy and surgery.

Her greatest test well behind her, she sailed through the SPM with flying colours.

The former Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama Sheikh Abdul Malek student said there were moments when she wondered if she would live to sit the examination.

"Stage Three meant the cancer had spread through the pelvic cavity to the lymph nodes, the small bowel or the surface of the liver, and doctors were not too optimistic of my chances of survival.

"I later found out that the cancer had spread throughout the abdomen and I only had between 15 and 20 per cent chance of survival.

"It was a miracle of sorts that I beat the odds," said Nor Amalina, who has been declared cancer-free for more than a year.

The fourth of seven siblings said she still had to go for blood tests and check-ups every other month but said she had never felt healthier.

"This episode has made me determined to be a doctor some day. I knew that I could never make that happen if I did not take my studies seriously.

"There were times when I felt tired and lethargic but I did not let that stop me from hitting the books and attending tuition classes after school."

Amalina said her parents had been wonderful in helping her cope with her workload, especially when the examination was looming large.

Her father, Abdul Rahman Harun, 56, said he and his wife, Khadijah Ismail, 48, were worried their daughter may be pushing too hard to do well in the examination.

"We knew she went through a lot battling her cancer and we thought she might be jeopardising her health by working too hard.

"Now, we are glad that everything has turned out well but we are going to worry again soon when it comes to letting her pursue her studies." - NST