Cancer patients’ journey of inspiration, wisdom and hope
The month of October is Breast Awareness Month.
The Advertiser spoke to five residents from Reiger Park who have been through thick and thin, overcoming great obstacles in their battle to overcome cancer.
They shared their journeys and words of inspiration, wisdom, hope and support about how their lives have been changed by cancer.
Osman Chali (67), a father of three, found out that he had prostate cancer in 2017.
He said the signs were evident in 2014, but doctors couldn’t see exactly what was wrong with him until three years later.
“Last year October, I started to get sick and stayed in the hospital for one week. In November I got sick again. At the clinic, they did a PSA test and was told the state of my health was serious.
“I had to be booked in at Tambo Memorial Hospital. When the doctor checked me, he told me I had cancer.”
Chali said he felt emotionally drained after hearing he was diagnosed with cancer.
Rasheeda, Chali’s wife, said it is, however, frustrating that her husband had been put on the waiting list for radiation at the Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital only for 2021.
“I know that it’s a procedure that people get placed on waiting lists, but the government should intervene and buy more machines to help cancer patients. Even if it means firing some of the cabinet ministers to obtain the funds,” Rasheeda said.
Osman said in the meantime he gets hormonal injections every three months, along with painkillers.
“Men should go for a PSA test before it’s too late. It’s better to know than to not know. ”
The eldest cancer survivor, Kitty Hartman (80), said she was diagnosed with bladder cancer at the age of 64.
“I was admitted at the Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital for two months while doctors tried to diagnose what type of cancer I had.
“When I was eventually diagnosed, I didn’t feel sad or anything. I just told myself that what I’m facing is part of life and I must go through it.
“I was then taken to theatre where I was operated on for 11 hours. Since then I’m feeling fine. The journey wasn’t easy, but I thank God I endured. I now go to the hospital every six months for checkups.”
Jenny Jasson (58) said after her diagnosis she had to see physiologists because she was left traumatised.
She was diagnosed with aggressive cancer in 2016.
“My life changed drastically. My neighbour forced me to see a doctor two years ago when I felt severe pain in my breast. The cancer had a huge negative effect on me. I used to lock myself up in the house because I just felt that the world was against me.”
“I used to think that I’m going to die but God has kept me alive, so I take it one day at a time.”
Jasson said she has refused to let the doctor remove her breast because she felt it would make her feel less of a woman.
Renata Trollip (47) battled cervical and thyroid cancer. “There were days that I couldn’t move from the bed or go to the bathroom. When I went to the doctor he gave me tablets to ease my suffering but it didn’t help.”
She eventually also had to undergo an operation which has restored some of her health.
“My journey with cancer has been painful, emotional and physically draining. ”
Trollip said the Reiger Park Cansa Support Group has assisted her to become a brave survivor, and now she can support other cancer sufferers.
The group encourages people living with cancer not to have pity on themselves but to remain positive and persistent.
“People must understand that when you have cancer it’s not a death sentence, but there’s a cure. Don’t be afraid to let your family and friends know that you have cancer so that they can support you through your journey,” Trollip said.
To join the Reiger Park Cancer Support Group, or to assist the group, contact Ulita Billings, founder of the support group on 073 214 6692.
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