Munira Chose Hope Over Fear
Mental health services at The Princess Margaret helped Munira face her diagnoses with courage.
“I’m immensely grateful for Princess Margaret donors.”
A highly respected HR practitioner, Munira was at the top of her game when symptoms, including fatigue and a reduced appetite, led to her needing an emergency blood transfusion. Suddenly, she was faced with a devastating diagnosis: stage 3 multiple myeloma – an incurable blood cancer. But the worst was yet to come. One week later, she was diagnosed with a second cancer, stage 4 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, an aggressive form of cancer that attacks the lymph tissue.
“I went through all the stages of grief… sadness, depression, anger… I never imagined this would be my life,” recalled Munira. And so, she began a journey of chemotherapy, medication, and stem-cell transplants. Nothing could have prepared her for what came next. Three years after her initial diagnosis, and while still going through treatment, she was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer.
That third diagnosis is what pushed her to seek help from Dr. Mary Elliott, a psychiatrist at the Psychosocial Oncology Clinic at The Princess Margaret. “I felt that I needed a space where I could speak to somebody and gain perspective,” said Munira. The clinic provides practical and psychological care for patients and their loved ones to help them cope with their illness and treatment. “Having someone who understands cancer – it’s exactly what I needed,” said Munira.
Today, Munira’s lymphoma and breast cancer are in remission, and she takes an immunotherapy medicine to keep the myeloma at bay. Now she’s able to be a source of support for others, offering advice and resources to other cancer patients, and encouraging them to look for hope wherever they can.
“Hope is everything to me. I don’t think you can have hope without gratitude. I’m immensely grateful to Princess Margaret donors. Because of them, I know I get the best possible care.”