Cancer made me realize that I’ve got to live every day to the fullest, embrace life and all it offers, it is not only “other” people that have cancer, get divorced or are involved in accidents – this can also happen to you. Don’t worry about things that are out of your control and the best of all CELEBRATE LIFE!!!!!
I was leading a happy and healthy life until that day in April 2005 when I felt the lump in my right breast. I decided that it was just the remains of the mastitis I had while breast feeding my children. Not only did I think I was way too young at the age of 39, but there was no history of breast cancer anywhere in my family.
The outcome was that I was diagnosed with Grade 2 breast cancer. A lumpectomy was done and the cancer had already spread to one of my lymph nodes. Six chemo and 33 radiation treatments followed. The chemo treated me “well”. The thought of losing my hair was a big issue to me at first, but I later realized that if it was not for my hair falling out, I would have questioned the efficiency of the chemo, as besides tiredness, I had no other major side effects. But the radiation was another kettle of fish! I was constantly tired and wanted to sleep all the time.
It was difficult for my whole family, but as adults they understand that some things in life are not in our hands. Our son and daughter were only 4 and 6 at the time and it was difficult for them to realize that it was not a death sentence for their mommy.
We were all just getting use to the fact that I will be finished with all my treatment at the end of December 2010, when I went for all my check-ups as I had pain in my hips. I always wondered what I would do if the cancer comes back, but before I could realize I was thrown back in the whole turmoil of breaking the news of the metastases of the cancer to my T9 vertebrae to my family and friends. It was very hard for my children and parents to digest this news. When I told my children, we all cried together and my daughter, Janél pleaded with me that I must please not die as she can’t live without me. When I told her that “onkruid” (weed) doesn’t die that easily – she wanted to know from me what “onkruid” means and needless to say we all burst out laughing through the tears when I told her what it means.
Your cancer will affect everyone involved in your life and everyone who cares about you. Remember that it is hard for them too, but also remember that it is cancer that is causing the problems, not you. You are a package deal, being part of their lives mean sharing the hard times as well as the happy ones. It means giving as well as taking.
Cancer made me realize that I’ve got to live every day to the fullest, embrace life and all it offers, it is not only “other” people that have cancer, get divorced or are involved in accidents – this can also happen to you. Don’t worry about things that are out of your control and the best of all CELEBRATE LIFE!!!!!
Today I’m still leading a happy, but much “richer” life than before.
All the glory to my Heavenly Father that carried me, and still does, through the tough & difficult times when the road ahead was and is too steep for me.
2013 will be the 5th year that I will be riding through South Africa on a motorcycle creating cancer awareness and early detection amongst all South Africans.
I want to make a difference in other survivors’ life’s and therefore feel privilege to be a Cancer Buddy. I already had my first referral to a survivor and will be meeting her later this week.