Elyana Emrizal opens up about life, family and finding strength after cancer
Cancer does not just change health. It shifts everything
NUR ADNIN MAHALIM
Under the soft glow of Pink October, Elyana Emrizal’s voice carries more than just music.
It carries survival, resilience and the story of a woman who refuses to let cancer dim her spotlight.
Elyana Emrizal made her return for Nivea Moments of Care, reminding fans that the stage is still her home, even as her journey with cancer continues.
Speaking with refreshing honesty, she opened up about life after years of treatment.
“My health comes and goes. Some days are good, some are not, just like anyone else who falls sick now and then.
“But in my case, the effects of chemotherapy still linger. My energy isn’t what it used to be and many of my nerves are damaged. While I wait for my body to repair itself, the pain is still there,” she shared.
A new approach to living
Cancer does not just change health. It shifts everything. Elyana admits food was once an afterthought.
“Before, I wasn’t careful with food. But once you’ve had chemo, you know how it feels to lose your appetite.
“Food doesn’t taste the same. Sometimes I could go two weeks, three weeks, even a month without eating properly. Then suddenly, the appetite comes back and I’ll crave rice,” she said.
She added that people often say cancer patients should not eat meat, but rice and meat were sometimes the only things I could handle.
“For me, as long as it’s halal, I can eat it. Still, I listen to my body and I know what weakens me and what doesn’t. I eat accordingly,” she stated.
Family by her side
Her children have only ever known a mother fighting cancer.
“They’ve grown up with it. From the time they were born, they saw me unwell. My eldest wasn’t even a year old when I was diagnosed.
“So, for them, this is normal life. Maybe when they see other families, they think that is unusual. The upside is that they matured earlier. My eldest understands what cancer is, what a chemo port is and what the side effects are,” she said.
As for her husband, she said his support is real but notes an important truth.
“He supports me in his way. But living with cancer for 15 years has taught me not to rely too much on anyone and not even your husband or parents.
‘Not everyone is blessed with a partner or family who can always be there. If you depend too much, you will only end up disappointed. The most important thing is to strengthen yourself,” she shared.
Finding strength within
That independence was not always there. Elyana reflects on how the illness forced her to grow into her own strength.
“In the past, I relied too heavily on others, to care for me, to make me happy, to do everything for me.
“But people have their own lives and responsibilities. Eventually, I learnt to manage on my own, no matter how much pain I was in.
“Even if I couldn’t get up or bathe, I pushed myself and through that, I learnt to be proud of myself because I realised I could do it alone,” she added.
For Elyana, Pink October is not just a month. It’s a reminder of the fight she’s still in, the lessons she’s learnt and the power of showing up anyway like pain, scars and all.
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