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As I sat across from the patient in the consultation room, preparing to explain the next steps in her fertility treatment, I couldn't help but think about a powerful story I had witnessed recently. It’s a story I often share with patients to offer hope and perspective during their own journeys.
You see, one of my colleagues was a key part of this particular patient’s story—an incredible young woman named Layla. Layla’s journey was one of immense strength and resilience, and though she didn't expect to walk this path when she first came to our clinic, her story is one I often find myself telling patients who face uncertainty.
I met Layla a few years ago when she first came to our clinic. She was a vibrant 24-year-old woman, filled with excitement for the future. She had just gotten engaged to Karim, and they were eager to start their family. Layla had always imagined a life with children, and like many young women, she was eager to begin the next chapter of her life.
When she first visited us for a fertility consultation, her energy was contagious. She was passionate about her dreams of motherhood and hopeful about the future. She spoke with joy about the life she wanted to build with Karim and the family they hoped to have. But, as you know, life can sometimes take unexpected turns.
A few weeks later, Layla returned to the clinic. She wasn’t there for fertility treatment anymore but for something completely different. She had been experiencing some unusual symptoms—persistent cramping, irregular periods, and a strange heaviness in her abdomen. She wasn’t sure what to make of it, but the symptoms were concerning enough that she felt something was wrong.
As Zayna, our IVF Lab Manager, would explain it, her concerns were valid. While the IVF lab primarily focuses on the process of fertilization and embryo culture, we always encourage patients to address any concerns with their gynecologists. Zayna suggested Layla visit Dr. Amira, one of our trusted consultants, to run some tests and determine what was happening.
Dr. Amira examined Layla and recommended further investigations, including an ultrasound. When the results came back, we received unsettling news: the ultrasound had revealed an abnormal growth in Layla’s uterus. It wasn’t something that could be ignored, and we needed to act quickly. As you can imagine, the news was devastating, and Layla was left in a state of disbelief. Cancer was not something we typically expected to encounter at such a young age, especially in someone like Layla, who had her whole future ahead of her.
When Dr. Amira shared the news with Layla, her world felt like it was unraveling. I’ll never forget the look on her face when she came into Dr. Zayna office to talk about it. She was pale, her eyes wide with fear. "Dr. Amira said it might be cancer," she told her, voice shaking.
She tried to reassure her, telling her that we needed to wait for further tests to confirm the diagnosis, but it was clear that the fear was already consuming her. Cancer was a word that seemed so foreign to someone so young, someone whose greatest concern had once been planning a wedding, not facing an illness that could alter the course of her life.
We worked together to ensure Layla received the care she needed, with Dr. Amira guiding her through each step. After more tests, we received the confirmation that Layla had uterine cancer, specifically endometrial carcinoma. It was devastating news. Layla’s initial dreams of motherhood felt as though they were slipping away. The doctors recommended a hysterectomy to remove the cancer and prevent it from spreading, but that would also mean the loss of her ability to carry children.
As you might imagine, that was a difficult choice for Layla. She had dreamed of becoming a mother and, like many women, felt that her identity and future were tied to the ability to have biological children. It was an agonizing decision, but the surgery was necessary for her health. We spoke with her at length about the options, including the possibility of fertility preservation, but the reality of the situation was clear: to survive, she needed to undergo the hysterectomy.
I remember one afternoon, sitting with Layla in the waiting area. It was heartbreaking. Her fiancé, Karim, was by her side as always, offering her his unwavering support. Layla was torn, not just between the choice to survive, but also between the grief of losing a future she had always dreamed of.
"How do I let go of something so important to me?" Layla asked, her voice cracking with emotion.
I looked at her, my heart breaking for her. “Layla, I understand how much having children means to you. But you are so much more than that. You are strong, and you deserve to live. That’s what matters most.”
Those words didn’t make her decision any easier, but they helped her find the courage to move forward. Layla bravely decided to go through with the surgery.
The day of her operation was filled with uncertainty, but I was relieved when I heard that the surgery had gone well. The cancer had been contained, and there were no signs of it spreading. For the first time in weeks, we allowed ourselves to breathe a little easier. Layla was cancer-free, but her emotional healing was just beginning.
Recovery wasn’t easy for Layla. Losing her uterus and the ability to carry biological children was a huge loss. But with the support of her loved ones, including Karim and her mother, Layla began to heal—not just physically, but emotionally as well.
Months later, I saw Layla again at the clinic for a follow-up visit. She had changed—she was stronger, more resilient, and determined to live her life fully, despite the challenges she faced. Her story was one of pain, yes, but also one of growth and transformation.
"I never thought I could get through this," Layla said to us with a bright smile, her eyes filled with newfound strength. "But here I am. And I’m ready for whatever comes next."
Layla became an advocate for early detection and regular check-ups, sharing her story with others to help them understand the importance of listening to their bodies. She wanted to give others the courage to seek help early and to embrace the strength within themselves.
Now, when patients come to our clinic, I often share Layla's story with them. It’s a story of incredible resilience and the strength that comes when you choose to face adversity with hope. It’s a reminder that, even when life doesn’t unfold the way we expect, there is always a way forward. And as we work together to help our patients on their own journeys, we do so with the hope that they, too, will find strength in their challenges.
Fatemah graduated with a Master's degree in Sexual and Reproductive Medicine from the University of South Wales, UK. Her research during her BSc focused on Brucellosis, where she earned top honors at her university for her work. During her MSc, she conducted research on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), further developing her expertise in reproductive health.
After gaining four years of experience in the IVF laboratory as a Senior Andrologist and Trainee Embryologist, Fatemah transitioned into veterinary services, working with the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia as a Laboratory Assistant. During this time, Fatemah contributed to the care and medical reporting of racehorses and attended international horse auctions. Fatemah also worked closely with veterinarians in the medical care of horses during the Riyadh Racing Season.
Fatemah combines a deep passion for reproductive medicine with equine health and welfare expertise and is now a volunteer Female Cancer Correspondent at Cancer Care Parcel.
