Beatrix de Villiers, Team Member
3 year survivor.
Diagnosed: 2007, Age: 47
LIVE POSITIVE - LAUGH. LOVE and LIVE IN FULL!!!!
“When God allows a burden to be upon you, He will put Hiss arms underneath you to help you. Don’t worry if the road is all uphill right now…..the view from the top is breathtaking!”
I am the youngest of three girls and grew up as the apple of my father’s eye on a farm in the Bredasdorp district. Today I am still a favourite – one of God’s favourites! He favours people with cancer because He gives us a second chance which we must take with both hands. The quote Leo Buscaglia: “to be is to do and to do is to do now, because tomorrow might not be there. “
My journey with cancer started with a positive breast cancer gene. I went for a checkup regularly – a mammogram and a sonar. In September 2006 an undefined mass showed up in my left breast, no lump. The needle biopsy showed no lump. The needle biopsy showed no atypical cells.
In January 2007 another biopsy was done – also negative. Because of my positive family history (mother and sister). My doctor decided to remove the undefined mass which shows positive. We agreed on a bilateral mastectomy. However, the operation had to wait till after my husband’s prostatectomy during the middle of February which was immediately followed by radiation.
I had no time to focus on myself – my son, Johannes had first started farming on our family farm. The two of us took over most of Pieter’s (my husband) responsibilities. My turn came on the 3rd of March 2007 and the reconstruction was done at the same time. Malignant cells were detected – radiation followed to make sure no cancer cells stayed behind.
I still receive preventative treatment to lower the oestrogen levels significantly. This causes an emotional see-saw, but with a sense of humor, my family and I cope well – some days better than others!
I went through a process of mourning, but made a resolution to stay positive.
I discovered a new strength in myself and realized that it comes from my mother who will still lives 24 years after breastcancer. I took inspiration and motivation from the people around me. My goal in life is to spread hope and a positive outlook to everybody around me. My name “Beatrix”means “light”. While waiting for the perfect time to do something you often forget to live in the moment and for the now!
Cancer brings an intensity of life. Live now, live right. Live well. Laugh, love and live in full – Carpe Diem. Take the good, discard the bad and give love. Cancer touches everybody who comes into contact with it, it brings its own wisdom.
Right now I am happy, sharing every possible moment with the people I love. During my journey, my trust in God and my relationship with Him had strengthened. I am very positive about my future and see everyday as a blessing. Breast cancer is NOT a death sentence!
You may feel sad and scared, but you are very lucky that doctors can detect it early enough to be treated successfully. We have to be worried about women who still have to discover it….Therefore, I feel passionate about supporting Journey of Hope!!!
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, thoroughly used up, totally worn out and loudly proclaiming: “Wow, what a ride!!”
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