From saving for Umrah to battling cancer: A love story cut short

SHAH ALAM – Syamsul Azwan Mohamad, 36, had been saving with his wife for their Umrah journey, but fate took a different turn.

“We had started saving together, but she left too soon,” he said, recalling his late wife, Zuraida Mohd Amin, 32, whom he cared for throughout her four-year battle with Ewing’s sarcoma.

According to Syamsul, Zuraida had been setting aside money for their pilgrimage to Mecca long before she fell ill.

She had also planned to donate part of her savings to an orphanage, but her wish remained unfulfilled.

Their story, shared on TikTok, touched the hearts of many, drawing attention to Zuraida’s resilience and her husband’s unwavering support. Zuraida passed away in November last year.

Losing the woman who had been his pillar of strength was a painful reality for Syamsul, but he has come to accept it.

Recalling the early days, he said his wife initially experienced back pain and numbness in her legs before seeking treatment at a private hospital. Further tests revealed a tumour on her spine, later diagnosed as cancer.

“She had her first surgery in 2020 at Kuala Lumpur Hospital and was able to walk again for a while.

“But the cancer returned, and she had to undergo a second surgery in 2022, which lasted 12 hours.

“After that, she seemed stronger and her spirit was high. We even started planning to open a shop and run a business together. She wanted to live as normally as possible,” he told Sinar.

However, in early 2024, the cancer returned more aggressively, affecting her lungs.

Doctors suggested chemotherapy before surgery, but the treatment only made the cancer cells more active.

“After several chemotherapy sessions, she became weaker. Eventually, doctors stopped the treatment, fearing severe side effects. She lost hope when they told her there was no longer a cure,” he added.

As her health declined, Zuraida expressed her wish to visit her aunt in Kluang, who had cared for her since childhood.

“I did my best to grant her request, even though she was weak. We had to stop several times along the way to make sure she was comfortable,” he said.

Throughout her illness, Syamsul devoted himself to caring for his wife, from preparing meals and assisting with daily needs to making regular hospital visits.

Now, he continues life by running a satay business, a venture he once shared with his wife.

Determined to honour her memory, he hopes to one day perform Umrah, fulfilling the dream they once shared.