Colossal struggle: Sakila with Roslan, who is helping to raise funds for post-surgery expenses at her house in RPT Kampung Jelapang Baru, Ipoh. — RONNIE CHIN/The Star
IPOH: For almost three years, 39-year-old Sakila Ahmad Shamsuri has to walk around with crutches due to her swollen left leg.
She is suffering from elephantiasis, or elephant leg, following a diagnosis of lymphedema in 2019.
This generally means that the swelling is caused by a build-up of lymph fluid.
“I weigh about 137kg now. My leg alone is about 80kg,” said Sakila, who used to work as a clinic assistant.She is struggling with her movements.
“It is such a hassle, especially when I need to go to the toilet,” she said, adding that she could not sit or stand for too long as her leg would become numb.
Recalling how the diagnosis came about, she said: “I started having a fever and some red dots began appearing on my leg.
“My leg started to swell and gradually got bigger.”
Sakila, a divorcee with no children, said she sought treatment at Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun and was later referred to Hospital Kuala Lumpur.
Eventually, she found out that she needed an operation and was referred to the University Malaya Medical Centre.
“I was told that the operation would involve the removal of some flesh and skin grafting,” she said.
Sakila said she was supposed to have the operation last month but it could not be done then due to a sudden spike in her blood pressure.
“I have been advised to go for an echocardiography on Oct 17 to see if I am fit to go for an operation.
“If everything is okay, then the doctors will set a date,” she said, adding that the cost for the operation and her month-long stay at the hospital would be covered by Baitulmal aid from the Perak Islamic Religion and Malay Customs Council.
She said that she was quite apprehensive about the operation but received words of encouragement from a support group.
“I am looking forward to getting better after the operation.”
For now, she is worried about the expenses that she would have to incur during the recovery period.
“I will need to get diapers, milk powder, food and groceries,” she said in an interview at her home in RPT Kampung Jelapang Baru here.
Due to her condition, she has not been able to work.
“My elder sister sells nasi lemak for a living but she, too, needs to look after her family,” she said.
They are all living under the same roof at their ancestral home.
AJ Kinta Perak Community Welfare Association president Roslan Ali said he was trying to help Sakila by collecting aid for her.
“Any good Samaritan who wants to help her can contact me at 016-542 0758,” he said.
