Florence Boboria Sua’s battle with cancer and triumph over adversity
BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
At just 18, Florence Boboria Sua, known as Flora Sua on social media, left the Solomon Islands to pursue her studies in early childhood education in New Zealand.
But what was supposed to be an exciting chapter in her life took an unexpected turn when, in 2020, she was diagnosed with stage four Leiomyosarcoma cancer—a rare and aggressive cancer that develops in the smooth muscle tissue.
Florence first noticed something was wrong when her body began to change drastically. “At that time, my body was too skinny,” she recalled. Seeking medical advice, her worst fears were confirmed when doctors delivered the devastating news.
“The doctors informed me that I have stage four Leiomyosarcoma cancer, which develops in the tissue. When discussing the stages, it was incredibly difficult. It’s just overwhelming,” said Florence, now 38, originally from Kwara’ae and Fataleka in Malaita Province.
The prognosis was grim. Florence was told she had no chance of surviving her illness and was advised to prepare for the worst. “That was the time when the doctors chose to let me go and informed me that I wouldn’t make it through the cancer,” she remembered.
But Florence refused to accept this fate. Despite the doctors’ predictions, she clung to her belief that God had other plans for her.
“I have a belief that I will survive this, and I believe God doesn’t want me to die,” she said. “To live, I also possess a strong, positive mentality. Therefore, I believe that my positive attitude contributed to my ability to survive the disease.”
Returning to the Solomon Islands at the end of 2020, Florence decided to try traditional herbal medicine.
One of the remedies she used was a charcoal-based medication from Choiseul. To her astonishment, after just two weeks, she noticed significant improvements. “I was able to actually see and feel improvements in my body. And I am aware that I have fully healed now,” she said with a smile.
A year later, Florence returned to New Zealand, where the doctors were amazed by her recovery. They questioned her about how she had managed to survive and what treatment she had used. After hearing her story, they encouraged her to continue with her traditional medication.
Florence attributes her healing not just to the treatments she received but also to her unwavering faith in God and her commitment to living a joyful life.
“That’s one way to my healing, is to live a joyful life. You can do anything with a strong attitude if your mind is positive and happy. Your mind is a powerful weapon,” she explained.
Her positivity and resilience have also fueled her presence on social media, where she shares her journey and joy with others. “Many thought that I was mentally ill, but no,” she said.
“I’ve wanted to give up on things at times, but I’ve also told myself to keep going at other times. Hence, I never give up. Keep trying and enjoy the life I live.”
Florence, who arrived in the Solomon Islands last month, will return to New Zealand at the end of September.
Her story is a testament to the power of faith, positivity, and the will to survive, offering hope and inspiration to others facing their battles.
