However, a routine test two years ago revealed that Al-Ebadi had a tumor in her body.
Even after she learned about her disease, Al-Ebadi continued to try and live a normal life to the extent that she never took a day off from work, except when she needed to receive treatment.
The doctor spoke to Arab News while sitting in her office, the walls full of posters of awareness campaigns about breast cancer, with a large photo of her in the middle.
“I used to undergo breast cancer detection tests periodically, although none of my relatives had suffered from the disease. I was born in a Madinah family as the only daughter in the middle of lots of boys.”
She did her bachelor’s, postgraduate and doctoral degree in medicine at King Abdulaziz University. After obtaining her doctoral degree, she worked at the university until she joined the specialist hospital 20 years ago.
“Although I am working in the medical field, I used to look at the disease with terror before my tumor was detected. On the other hand, after I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I began to look at it both as a message and a trial from Allah Almighty,” Al-Ebadi said. “I found it a trial of love, faith, patience and will.”
She added that she gained the courage to battle against the disease thanks to the support from her family, friends and colleagues. “The efforts of my family members and colleagues in raising my morale was a significant factor in my fight against the disease, giving me a cool mind and patience,” she said.
Al-Ebadi still remembers the moment 800 days ago when she was told the shocking news. Her colleagues, who identified the carcinogenic cells in her breast during a routine check, were torn and did not know how to pass the news to her. They entrusted the painful task to Dr. Tahir Al-Tuwaijeri, whom all staff members respected as a father figure.
“He told me in a calm voice that the Lord loves me as I always help others. I asked him what was the matter. He then told me about the test report. My first response was Alhamdulillah (Thank God)!” she said.
Al-Ebadi said her first task after the initial shock was to inform her family. She called her brother, who was also a practicing doctor in Riyadh.
“I simply told my mother that I had a growth below my breast which needed treatment. My father obviously understood what I was talking about,” she said.
Al-Ebadi remembered how her colleagues devised a treatment plan for her. She followed all medical instructions meticulously during chemotherapy and surgery until the primary treatment stage was completed with success.
The most important thing during the chemotherapy stage was total rest and keeping away from children. So she used to be treated on Thursdays and relax before going to work on Saturday.
Al-Ebadi particularly remembers the understanding showed by Dr. Nasser Al-Sanie during her treatment.
In her view, a strong mental attitude and strengthening of the immune system are the most important factors in the treatment of cancer.
Even during her period of treatment, Al-Ebadi used to enlighten other patients on how to face the disease with courage and a strong will.
She also pointed out that breast cancer is easier to handle than many chronic diseases, such as diabetes, which demand a total change in a patient’s lifestyle.
She is currently working in collaboration with Al-Zahrah Society as it tackles the disease, which accounts for almost half of all cancers detected in the Kingdom.
She stressed the need for eating vegetables and fresh food and avoiding canned, preserved and fast food in order to increase immunity.
She also underlined the importance of periodic checkups so that the disease is detected in its infancy and treated successfully.
Another piece of advice for patients is to be courageous in facing the disease.
