The Reason Mpok Alpa Kept Her Cancer Illness a Secret, Not Wanting to Be a Burden on Her Family's Mind

"Yes, I know it's painful. So, even though they are siblings, I'm afraid it will become a concern. My parents don't even know this, I'm afraid it will be a worry for them. That's why we shouldn't tell mom and dad, we are the ones going through this, we take the medicine, we try, we make an effort, we pray," said Adji when met at his home in the Jagakarsa area, South Jakarta, Saturday (16/8/2025).

Mpok Alpa's principles in life are indeed extraordinary. She prefers to bear her burdens together with her husband rather than make others anxious and sad. For her, the prayers from her loved ones are more than enough.

"The point is, this late woman doesn't want to trouble others, she doesn't want to be a burden on people's minds either. One of the ways is just to pray, that's what's important. Pray, ask for healing from Allah," she said.

Even when some of her close friends suggested announcing her illness to get help, Mpok Alpa firmly refused. She holds on to the principle of always trying with her own abilities as long as she can.

"Even some other friends said just announce it, so hopefully friends can help, she still didn't want to. She said as long as we can, we should do it ourselves," said Adji.

It turns out, this noble principle is a teaching from her husband that she always holds dear. Adji admitted he once taught his wife that the hand above is better than the hand below, a lesson about the virtue of giving.

"Because I once taught something that you really have to give more than receive. Because the Prophet Muhammad preferred to give rather than receive. So that is the example," he explained.

The lesson resonated deeply in Mpok Alpa's heart, making it her life guideline. Her husband was even taken aback when Mpok Alpa reminded him of that teaching again. "So she said, 'you said it’s better for us to give than to receive,' so she turned it back on him," Adji recalled.