Interview 40

Age at interview: 70

Age at diagnosis: 60

Brief Outline:

Diagnosed with breast cancer in 1991, underwent a mastectomy and was given Tamoxifen.

Comments that she switched off from her feelings and relied on her faith.

I didn't feel at all. I didn't feel at all.

I left everything in the hands of God. That's all. He's the only one who gives out suffering and he's the only one who takes it away. That's all.

And even now I continue with life in this way. It's my philosophy, whatever the situation, that what's written in destiny can't be erased, whatever God's written for you.

There's no use in worrying. Just have faith in God. That's enough.

Comments that her children translated and explained information to her.

Before you went into hospital, were you given anything to read in Punjabi?

No, nothing. It was an emergency. There was no time to read anything.

And the way things were, growing up in 1944. In 1946 I was 14 years old. There were no schools for us. I never even saw a school. I know Punjabi, but I can't read very well. We learnt bits and pieces at home but I've forgotten all that now.

My children explained everything to me in hospital, but they're well educated. That's how it was.