*Saqib Imran Khokar died of cancer on Tuesday, 3rd September 2019. SBS Urdu spoke to the local author one year ago.
Forty-two-year-old Saqib Imran Khokar works as a property manager and lives with his wife and kids in Melbourne.
In December 2015, he was diagnosed with cancer of the appendix (Metastatic Appendiceal Adenocarcinoma), one of the rarest cancers in the world.
For Saqib, it was something too unexpected, too sudden and too early in life.
“I am a very ambitious person. I had been jumping stages in my life and was progressing successfully. I had started my business, starting planning for a large organization. I had 17 employees in my company.
"The house where I live in is my dream house, I used to go to the gym five days a week and jog several kilometres every week. Life was great!" he said.
"I never thought that I will have such illness.”
Unfortunately for Saqib, the illness was already at an advanced stage.
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He was told by the doctor that he will have to undergo treatment as cancer had spread in the body.
“I underwent an operation but even then doctors told me that I might not survive. The operation took about twelve hours. They removed a portion of my stomach that was cancerous."
The operation went well and he began chemotherapy.
"After six months, there was a recurrence of cancer. Again, I underwent an operation for 8 hours plus. Now I am undergoing chemotherapy."
Recent tests have shown that cancer has spread to other major organs and Saqib's cancer is now at stage 4.
“So the doctors have pretty much-lost hope for recovery. At such an advanced cancer stage, life expectancy is around 6 months-one year.”
But according to Saqib, since receiving the news of cancer, he says he has been making every day count for the past three years and has spent quality time with his family and friends.
“I have lived a life full of happiness. I think there is wisdom in God’s work so maybe it is that. Maybe in the future, we will find out why it happened.”
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Saqib started writing a book and was able to complete his work of fiction. His book ‘Aibi Abdullah’ means ‘a man with defects’, and is a story about a drug addict who, under the influence of drugs, views the world in a unique way.
Saqib says the main character’s personal life highlights important messages about life, explained through an addict’s personal experiences during the story.
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“I have received a great response so far," he says.
Five must things to do in life
Saqib says he believes that instead of getting worried about life’s problems, one should take them as challenges, try to solve them and live a good life.
According to Saqib, these are the five must-do things a person should consider and do for a contented life.
- Live a life that is full of happiness; live a life full of passion.
- Family time is very important; share time with them.
- Cherish your friendships; enjoy time with them.
- You are living in one of the best countries in the world, full of opportunities. Make the most out of it.
- Great things are happening around you, just find the right direction.
Make your life peaceful, happy, pleasurable, blessed and grateful.
Message for those who become isolated after being diagnosed with cancer
Dealing with cancer is one of the toughest phases for any patient. Saqib says there are people who get affected by the illness not just physically but mentally too.
“If someone says that you only have a few years to live then it doesn’t mean that you get depressed, stressed, or in hypertension. If you look at a problem as a problem then it will be an issue. It does not mean you ignore or negate them.
"Take it as a challenge. If you do, then you plan to meet that challenge. I am not the first one, who has cancer.
Take it as a great opportunity, because someone has reminded you that there are few years to go. In short, live your life to the fullest in the time you have left.
"God has given me a fit body, hands, eyes legs. Why should I not be thankful for them?
"If God has given me this challenge, maybe I am the one to surpass it, so I have a great afterlife. Having said that, I am still living well.”
Cancer is a disease of the cells, which are the body’s basic building blocks. Cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow in an uncontrolled way. These abnormal cells can damage or invade the surrounding tissues, or spread to other parts of the body, causing further damage (Cancer Australia).
There are an estimated 138,321 new cancer cases diagnosed in Australia this year including 74,644 males and 63,676 females.
Factors that can put individuals at great risk for Cancer
- Tobacco smoking
- Diet - for example, high intake of particular foods (such as processed meat and foods that are high in fat) is associated with an increased risk for some types of cancer
- Overweight and obesity
- Alcohol consumption
- Physical inactivity
- UV radiation
- Infections - for example, some types of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection can be associated with cervical and other cancers, and chronic hepatitis B or C infection can be associated with liver cancer
- Occupational exposure to agents, including chemicals, dust and industrial processes
- Family history and genetic susceptibility
(Source: Cancer Australia)
