Staying positive.

A man whose wife was recently diagnosed with two forms of cancer tells Nichola Jones why he'll never give up on her Six months ago, Ulysses and Eugene Alegre were blissfully happy - living in Dubai, working hard, having fun and enjoying married life. But in December, their lives changed forever when 33-year-old office worker Eugene was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia. "My wife had been sick since August. She was in a lot of pain and couldn't breathe sometimes," Ulysses explains."We took her to the Iranian Hospital and the doctors thought it was a gastro problem. "Nobody knew what was wrong with her." After months of tests and visits to different doctors across Dubai, the couple were finally given the devastating news on December 26, 2008, that Eugene's body was battling not one, but two forms of the deadly cancer which attacks blood cells. "It was a big shock," says Ulysses, a 39-year-old fitness instructor.

"We spent New Year's Eve in hospital and my wife started chemotherapy. She is being very brave, we have to keep strong." Since the gruelling treatment began at Tawam Hospital in Al Ain, Ulysses has watched his wife's weight plummet and her hair disappear, but says her smile and spirit are as bright as ever. "I met my wife at church," he says. "It was love at first sight. I met her in June 2001, we were engaged in September and married in the January. "We are both very active and fit. My wife is a workaholic, she was very committed to her job, but we used to have holidays and do lots of things. "The chemo makes her very sick, but she is still smiling."

Like most young married couples, their thoughts were turning to starting a family of their own, but the cancer treatment means they have been forced to face the heartbreaking reality that Eugene will not be able to have children. "The doctor told us the chemo would mean that Eugene would not be able to conceive, but we had no choice," Ulysses said. "It is very sad that we will not be able to have our own children, but we can adopt a baby; we would like to do that."As the second cycle of chemotherapy comes to an end, Ulysses knows the only hope for his wife is a bone marrow transplant. But as the couple's health insurance claim was refused, their only option is to pay dhs300,000 for an operation in the Philippines - cash they do not have. "Without it she will die but I can't accept that. I hope people who know me will help," says Ulysses. "I have to stay positive because she gets her strength from me. "Even if I am crying on the inside, I can't show that to my wife."

The inseparable pair now have to be apart while Eugene lies in hospital, but her husband makes the three-hour round trip from their home in Jumeirah to her bedside every other day after he finishes his shift at the gym. "I can't show her I feel sad or lonely because I want to be positive," he says. "I like the drive to the hospital because it gives me time to think. I usually cook her something too. But because of the chemotherapy, she is nauseous a lot and can't eat many things. "We celebrated Valentine's Day in hospital and I took her balloons and a teddy bear." Despite the tragedy that has befallen the couple, they retain an incredible faith and are determined to beat the illness. Ulysses says his wife has been an inspiration. "My wife has changed many people's lives. "People who have never helped anyone before are trying to help us and that is a wonderful thing."

nichola.jones@7days.ae

*** FINDING SUPPORT

While there are several support groups for breast cancer patients in Dubai, despite phoning major hospitals around the city, 7DAYS could not find a support group for patients suffering from other forms of cancer. Well-known breast surgeon Doctor Houriya Kazim runs Brest Friends and says that although the group was set up for breast cancer patients, she does accept sufferers of other forms of cancer due to the fact there are no other cancer support groups in the city. Brest Friends meets once a month at Emirates Towers hotel. The first hour is a 'social hour' where ladies can mingle before an information section begins where patients can find out about a variety of topics such as complimentary therapies. Email info@brestfriends.org for details. Elsewhere, the group Friends of Cancer Patients is based in Sharjah. Contact them on 06 506 5555 or email focp@emirates.net.ae.

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