In a touching display of resilience, 4-year-old Alexandria Marissa Abdul Malik, who suffers from Leukemia, has been echoing these words to herself: “Being bald is cute.”
This sentiment, shared and encouraged by her father, has become a beacon of hope and strength for the young girl amidst her treatment.
Marissa’s journey was first brought into the public limelight when her mother, Nor Shakila Mohd Shoki, shared several TikTok videos about it on her account named “Mommy Shark.”
The videos have since resonated with viewers, amassing over 550,000 likes and a flood of supportive comments. Watch the videos here:
@shakilashoki Marissa’s Camcer Journey 🤍 Doakan Marissa sihat kembali 🤲🏻 #cancerfighter ♬ original sound – Mark
In an exclusive interview with WeirdKaya, Nor Shakila opened up about the emotional journey her family has been on since Marissa’s diagnosis.
We explained to Marissa about her condition and the nature of cancer. She even understood the need for chemotherapy.
“Initially, she was hesitant about going bald, but after seeing another patient in her ward embrace it, she too found the courage.
As parents, our strength lies in her. She’s truly a determined individual,” she shared.
Undergone 22 chemo sessions
According to Berita Harian, Marissa’s Leukemia hit the 74% mark but has seen improvement after she underwent 22 sessions of chemotherapy. Her bone marrow was also extracted to determine the effectiveness of the treatment.
“Marissa suffered complications because the wound in her bone marrow didn’t heal well and had to be cleaned surgically.
“She has been in the ward for almost a month and hasn’t been able to attend school for the past two years due to her treatment.
“Thankfully, Marissa is in the low-risk category but there are complications. Currently, her cancer results are decreasing, but she will categorised as high-risk if her cancer cells show signs of increase after the treatment,” Nor Shakila told the Malay daily.
Wants to raise awareness on childhood Leukemia
Despite the challenges of her treatment, Marissa, like any child, yearns for regular activities.
“While we understand that her immune system is compromised, we are also aware of the fact that she needs a semblance of a normal childhood.
“As such, my husband and I would take Marissa to the mall during off-peak hours and ensure she wears a mask outdoors. We would also sometimes arrange small playgroups for her to interact with other kids, provided they are healthy,” said Nor Shakila.
For Nor Shakila, TikTok has proven to be instrumental for her in raising awareness about childhood Leukemia.
“It’s crucial to share about Leukemia in children as it might start off with just a fever. With an early diagnosis, it leads to better care, treatment, and a higher cure rate.
“Also, do your research before making any decisions. While there’s no definitive cure for cancer, treatments can lead to remission.
Family support is paramount. Happiness truly is the best medicine,” she emphasized.
We wish Marissa a speedy recovery and we hope she will be able to live a normal life like other children too!
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