3D REFLECTIONS OF LIFE

 When I started the radiotherapy treatment, I really thought the 30 sessions were going to be one massive schlepp. Just the idea that I had to trek to the GVI Oncology unit at Rondebosch on a daily basis for more than a month and a half was a mental irritation. But time has really flown. I will just be attending for one more week and then this part of my journey will be done! I will be receiving a "booster" during the last week. During the booster session, the radiation targets only the area where the breast cancer tumour was. Besides being permanently coated with corn flour, I am sporting new ink markings to demarcate the zone. The area has become darker, but there are no other visible signs of the trauma this area was subjected to. I have also experienced being more tired, more listless and sporadic burning sensations in the breast area. But, so far, so good, as they say. Doctor Ryno Holshauser with Bilqees, Jessica and Carla. I quite enjoy these visits to the onco...

The Good news Yesterday was the day I had an appointment with Doctor Jenny Edge , my surgeon who performed the lumpectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy on me on 18 May.  I was going to have the bandages removed, get the results of the biopsy and hear what my case management for breast cancer will be.  Walking into Dr Jenny's rooms is like entering a bubble of warmth and love. Gadija and Nadia greeted Basil and me enthusiastically and enquired about my health. I mentioned the sudden throbbing I was experiencing in my breast since the morning. "Don't worry," the young ladies said. Sr Lieske will sort it all out."  Sister Lieske arrived and soon, Basil and I were ushered into Dr Jenny Edge's rooms.  "How're you feeling?" asked Dr Edge, smiling and looking relaxed with her signature green-framed spectacles. Again, I shared my story about my hypersensitive breast today. Dr Edge looked at me and said: "Well, let...

Tuesday was a much better day for me in the hospital after my lumpectomy surgery. I was free from the IV Drip contraption and my nausea had subsided dramatically. Besides enjoying the nursing staff in Ward 5B, I also met a wonderful patient, Regina and a Reach for Recovery, breast cancer support volunteer, Julia. Up Close with the nursing staff in Ward 5B. We had two awesome nurses caring for us. The one was Ongezwa Jonga, a beautiful young woman who lit up the room with her sunny personality. She wore bright pink lipstick that complemented her huge smile. Whenever we had the BP routine, Ongezwa and I had great fun. Ongezwa is going on study leave in June. She wants to become a staff nurse and then study further to become a nursing sister. When I told her she must aim high and work towards becoming a manager she said: Yoh.. yoh.. me? I don't think so.  Being a manager looks like hard work. When I look at the managers here, they always looks so stressed and they ar...

Life is full of surprises. Unless you come from a family line where being medical doctors is the common profession,  you won't count medical doctors as an integral part of your family network. Well, that is, until you need a team of doctors to help you navigate a new path on your life's journey. I went to the doctor for a medical issue and got redirected to something completely unexpected. While Doctor Engelbrecht was examining me, I mentioned the slight tingling I experienced in my left breast. This sensation that is common to women during menstruation was odd since I was now in the phase `When I see 'MEN, I PAUSE' as my dear bud, Devine, always says. Then, during the breast examination, Doctor Engelbrecht says: " I can feel a lump here. Have you felt it before?" Oops... that was not what I wanted to hear. No, I said. I have never felt anything. If anything, I think I am quite obsessive with self-examination. When I am in the shower my breast ritual i...