Linah Sebeko, Team Member
1 year survivor.
Diagnosed: 2009. Age: 46.
"Strength and Hope in Unity"
My name is Linah Naniwe Sibeko; I’m a mother of two beautiful children, one boy and one girl. My two children have now also made me a proud grandmother of three grandchildren. It’s amazing how quickly time flies and how quickly our children grow into young adults.
As quickly as time goes by sometimes we also go through certain obstacles that slow time for us. It was January 2009 when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I discovered it the same way as most women do and there is nothing scarier then discovering that lump in your breast. I consulted my doctor who referred me to the Witbank General Hospital where my greatest fear was confirmed. I had breast cancer! My doctor at the time told me that I would have to undergo surgery where my right breast would have to be removed. With all sorts of questions running through my head, I couldn’t believe I had to remove the one thing that in my head defined me as a woman. After the operation I was then referred to the Academic hospital in Pretoria for two months where I had to go through chemotherapy. People who have been through chemo can describe what they went through but nothing in the world could ever prepare you for what chemo can do to you.
After the treatment I felt like myself again although the days differed and my body was adjusting. There were times when I felt dizzy and cold and other days I felt like I was in pain. Lately I feel like because of the operation that I have not being performing to my original capability. My right hand side cannot stretch the way it use to and it feels short and sometimes it’s even painful to use but as a mother and a grandmother working is a necessity.
Since having cancer my family has been my sole support and last year in August my sister in law asked if I knew what Journey of Hope was. She explained it to me and later I consulted Criselda. Criselda became my pillar of strength and has given me a world of Hope for the future.
I no longer define myself by my physical attributes but on what I can offer my family and friends. What defines me as a woman is the struggles that I face daily and the will power that I have to overcome them through Christ.
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