Fighting the Big C
I’d like to share my story with your readers. I’m 34 and was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer when I was 37 weeks pregnant. This was in November last year.
I found the lump in October, which is breast cancer awareness month. I was flipping through channels and saw an ad about the importance of self-examination. I did it there and then and discovered a lump.
The date of my Caesarean section was brought forward a few days. My daughter’s birth was followed by another biopsy a few minutes after I held her for the first time. My stay in the ward was 50 percent for new baby and feeding, and 50 percent for X-rays, mammograms and scans.
My little girl, Kylie, is almost four months old and perfect. My son, Cody, is four.
I’m on a much easier chemo now. I go once a week. I’ll complete chemo mid-May and will have a lumpectomy and radiation about a month later. For me the hard part of treatment is over.
Cancer is definitely not the first thing on my mind when I wake up in the mornings as I’m so blessed with two beautiful children and a wonderful husband who keep me going.
Also, the women all across the world going through the same thing whom you meet thanks to social media have been angels and truly inspire me. SIMÒNE SCHULTZ, EMAIL I read the article about Darren Scott and his son’s fight against cancer (YOU, 16 March) and can relate to their situation as I’ve personally encountered this relentless disease. My late husband suffered from it and I saw first-hand how it can leech the life out of a person.
It takes enormous bravery and stoicism to undergo cancer treatment, so my congratulations to Mr Scott and his family. SYMPATHISER, JOHANNESBURG My aunt Jean was a true example of a real lady. She fought cancer to the end with a smile on her face. She encouraged so many with her gentle smile. Her strength as a 75-year-old was overwhelming.
At the end more than 400 people attended her celebration service. She deserved the celebrity send-off because her smile will be remembered by many. PETER, STELLENBOSCH