“Carrying a 7kg Tumor, She Walks Slowly in Pain, Trying to Stay Far from Everyone”
The world seemed to move faster than she could keep up with. With every step she took, the pain from the 7kg tumor on her body weighed her down. Each footfall was a reminder of the burden she carried—both physical and emotional. The tumor, which had grown larger and more pronounced over time, felt like a heavy, relentless companion, reminding her with every breath that life had taken an unexpected turn.
Her name was Clara, and though she was surrounded by people, she often felt more alone than ever. The pain from the tumor in her abdomen was unbearable, yet it wasn’t just the physical pain that haunted her. It was the way people looked at her—eyes full of pity, discomfort, or even judgment. As she walked down the crowded street, she instinctively pulled her body inward, trying to shield herself from the eyes of others. She didn’t want their sympathy. What she wanted, more than anything, was to be left alone, to live without the constant reminder of her suffering.
Clara had never been a burden to anyone before. She had always been independent, strong, and proud of her ability to manage life’s challenges. But this tumor—this monstrous growth that seemed to grow heavier with each passing day—had stripped her of that. It had taken away her confidence, her strength, and her will to engage with the world around her. She avoided eye contact with strangers, opting instead to look down at her feet, hoping to blend into the crowd.
As she continued her slow, painful walk, she could feel the stares of the people around her. She could almost hear their unspoken thoughts: “Why doesn’t she get help?” “She should go to the doctor!” “What’s wrong with her?” Their gaze was like a physical weight, pressing down on her fragile shoulders. It was as if her pain had become public property, something for everyone to speculate on, judge, and discuss.
But what they didn’t know was that Clara had been to the doctors. She had gone through countless tests, painful examinations, and had been told the harsh reality: the tumor was inoperable. The medical professionals had given her little hope, only offering vague suggestions of “managing the symptoms” and “living with it.” They didn’t understand her pain, her frustration, or the mental toll it had taken on her to simply exist in a world that seemed to be moving without her.
Her days had become a blur of hospital visits, medications that barely dulled the pain, and long stretches of time spent alone. It was a lonely existence, one that she never imagined for herself. As a young woman, she had dreams, aspirations, and a future ahead of her. But now, it felt as though all those dreams had been swallowed up by the tumor. She had to remind herself to take it one day at a time, but some days were harder than others.
Clara had always been the life of the party, the one who could make people laugh and feel at ease. But now, she felt as though she was a shell of her former self. The once vibrant woman who danced at parties and went on spontaneous adventures had been replaced by a woman who walked with a limp, her body weighed down by an uncontrollable growth. She had stopped attending social gatherings, stopped meeting friends for coffee, and stopped participating in the things she once loved. The world outside her seemed too fast, too overwhelming, and her energy was consumed by the constant pain.
Yet, even in her sorrow, Clara tried to hold on to some semblance of normalcy. She would get up every morning, put on a brave face, and go out into the world. It wasn’t easy, and some days, she felt like breaking down completely, but she refused to let the tumor define her. She would walk slowly, carefully, avoiding the crowds when she could. She tried to stay out of people’s way, to disappear into the background. The last thing she wanted was for people to pity her. She didn’t need their pity—she needed understanding.
One afternoon, as Clara walked down a quieter street in the city, she noticed an elderly man sitting on a bench. He was reading a newspaper, his face wrinkled from age, but his eyes were sharp and full of life. As she passed by, he looked up and gave her a gentle smile. It was a simple gesture, one that many people would have missed or ignored, but for Clara, it felt like a moment of connection.
She hesitated for a moment, unsure whether to acknowledge him or keep walking. The weight of her tumor felt even heavier in that moment, but something about the man’s smile made her stop. She slowly approached him, her steps cautious but deliberate.
“Excuse me,” she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. “Thank you for the smile.”
The man put down his newspaper and looked at her with kind eyes. “No need to thank me,” he said with a warmth that immediately put Clara at ease. “Sometimes, all a person needs is a smile. It can brighten their day.”
Clara felt her heart swell with emotion. It had been so long since anyone had spoken to her without judgment or pity. She sat down beside him on the bench, the pain in her body momentarily forgotten as she felt a strange sense of peace in his presence.
They sat there in silence for a while, Clara lost in her thoughts, and the man content to simply be there with her. It wasn’t much, but in that moment, it was enough. For the first time in a long time, Clara felt as though she wasn’t alone. The world hadn’t stopped for her, but she realized that maybe, just maybe, there were people out there who could see her beyond her illness. People who could offer kindness without expecting anything in return.
As the sun began to set, Clara stood up, thanking the man once again. “I think I’ll be okay now,” she said, her voice stronger than before. The man nodded, offering one last smile.
“Take care of yourself,” he said.
With that, Clara walked away, each step a little lighter than the one before. She still had the tumor, and she still had the pain, but for the first time in a long time, she felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe the world wasn’t as cold and indifferent as she had thought. Maybe there were still good people out there, ready to offer a smile when it was needed the most.
