Rider, 63, Cape Town
In November 2008, I received a frantic call from my sister-in-law Amy who lives in Durban. She had just been for a routine Mammogram and was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was in shock! I couldn't believe it! This cannot be happening I thought. Amy, like me had been going to the gym at least four times a week for the last ten yeasr. We were both very particular about our diet - we had our daily intake of fruit and veggies ; we counted our calories, drank lots of water, never smoked or drank alcohol ; in fact, we actually counted our berries just to make sure that we got our share of anti oxidants. We were so sure that we were doing all the "right things". I reassured Amy and flew out to Durban so that I could take care of her. When I got to Durban, we both had a good cry and I tried to comfort her. I couldn't make eye contact with her as I actually felt guilty that she was going through all this and I was so well.
Well, to cut a long story short, I stayed with Any for a few days and had to return to Cape Town because I too had an appointment for my annual Mammogram. I promised Amy that I will be back in a few days and the I will stay with her for as long as she needed me. I was not at all concerned about my Mammogram - I went for them annually ever since I turned forty. I had my yearly physicals, pap smears, bone density etc. Everything was in control and things will be fine as always.
Anyway, I had my Mammogram and the Radiographer told me that the Radiologist wanted to do an ultrasound. I thought that',s ok I've had it before and there's nothing to be worried about. After the ultrasound was over, the Radiologist suggested that I have a biopsy. I was so confident that I wasn't afraid even at that moment. Two days later, I went for my biopsy and there it was - it was confirmed that I too had breast cancer. I had a lumpectomy ( it was in my left breast - the same side as Amy). I had six three weekly cycles of chemo, nine weekly Herceptin and six weeks of daily radiation. Throughout this incredibly difficult journey, Amy became my lifeline. Since she was two weeks before me, she talked about her treatments - what to expect, how to cope with the side effects etc. She encouraged me and gave me hope. I had someone to share all my fears with, I had someone with whom I could share everything without feeling guilty. We had many weepy days but we also laughed a lot We cried and then burst out laughing when we saw each other bald for the first time.. If we forgot anything, we always blamed it on 'chemo brain' and the best part was that we could overdose with Magnums in the middle of the night and not feel guilty at all. We cried at first when we saw each other bald for the first time and the tears turned to laughter and we fought about whose head had a better shape.
Through all of this, I never let my cancer get me down. I always remained positive and saw the chemao and radiation as being part of the cure and not of the illness.
It's been three years now since my diagnosis and I can't say that it was easy. There were some bad moments and some very bad moments. There were days when I felt that I just couldn't carry on but throughout my journey I never felt alone. My faith and the support that received from my family and friends helped me overcome whatever obstacles that came my way.
I pray to God that I too can become a means of support and hope for people who are going though cancer and that I too can be their "Amy;" a becon of hope during their journey.
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Funds raised from Rider fundraising initiatives are used for awareness and education campaigns of the importance of early detection, as well as to provide support to people with breast cancer in less fortunate areas.
