Majlinda Ikonomi: How I had to diagnose the friend with whom I was raising awareness against cancer
Kjo është historia e saj...
2026-02-05 13:26:49
TiranaPost
Majlinda Economy
By Dr. Majlinda Ikonomi/ Sonela was a doctor – an epidemiologist – and my friend since childhood. Our shared profession and dedication to health naturally transformed into a deep friendship, built on values, trust, and a shared sense of mission.
During one of my breast cancer awareness activities, I had the idea to turn pathological preparations – hormone-positive tumors, HER2-positive diseases, cases with pathological regression after neoadjuvant therapy – into visual works of art. The goal was to place these images in hospitals, lecture halls, and public spaces, transforming scientific data into something human, visible, and reflective.
To involve young people, I proposed that our daughters become part of this project. Both attended art school. My daughter chose to paint modern clothing and contemporary forms. Sonela's daughter chose something else – she chose to paint life itself.
Those paintings and creations were made by her daughter.
Later, Sonela – my friend, my colleague – was diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer.
I was deeply shocked. I was the one diagnosing her cancer, and I felt an incredible emotional involvement—almost guilt—remembering that she had unknowingly been a part of those stories long before her diagnosis. Her daughter had painted, in those images, the illness that would become her mother’s reality.
Even today, when I think of Sonela – from afar – I feel this story as painful as it is beautiful, of dedication and contribution. It is unique. What she and her daughter did together represents the unity of the fight for something that could one day become your personal battle.
This is their legacy.
In her memory
Tiranapost.al
