This issue is all about the Season of growth and when hearing Helen Fivelman’s story The beauty of life and Lize Truter’s story Defying the odds, I’m amazed by how they were given a certain timeframe of life and inspired that they didn’t accept it and have proven that timeframe wrong. There can only be growth when faced with such situations.
Another story that blew me away was that of Rory Nesbitt. After a metastatic colon cancer diagnosis that spread to his lungs and liver, he underwent various treatments which enabled him to have a liver transplant and then was also diagnosed with prostate cancer. Read The tale of many cancers.
The way Mel Fourie measures everything in summers really puts life in perspective and I fully agree with her: dust your bucket list off and make the most of all the summers you have left. To understand what we mean, read Summers and your bucker list.
May your season of growth be bountiful.
Laurelle Williams
[email protected]
IN THIS ISSUE
Devi Chetram – The boost that I needed
Breast cancer survivor, Devi Chetram, tells us how Lifegain Advanced Nutritional Supplement aided her recovery as well as gave her the boost that she needed to tackle everyday life, including the passing of her husband. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Devi Chetram (67), a [...]
The diagnostic journey of lung cancer
Dr Thobile Goba-Mjwara describes the diagnostic journey of lung cancer and how new treatments and biomarker tests are leading the way to hope. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Lung cancer is the most common cancer and leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, accounting for [...]
Success of hyperthermia in cervical cancer
Dr Carrie Minnaar explains why hyperthermia is heating up the field of oncology as it gains more attention with recent cervical cancer studies. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Cancer treatment is a tough journey, with treatments often having side effects that can be very [...]
What is nasopharyngeal cancer?
Dr Mark Torres-Holmes educates us on nasopharyngeal cancer, a rare head and neck cancer. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies The nasopharynx is the top part of the throat behind the nose and though rare in SA, cancers can originate there. The type of cells [...]
Liza Truter – Defying the odds
After two liver cancer surgeries, Liza Truter was told she had roughly a few months to live. Ten years later, she tells the story of how she changed her lifestyle and miraculously survived. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Liza Truter (62) lives in Gauteng [...]
Hepatocellular carcinoma in SA
Dr Leanne Prodehl unpacks the current standings of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in SA. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), more commonly known as liver cancer, is the sixth most common cancer and the third cause of cancer mortality globally. HCC is associated with [...]
Summers and your bucket list
Mel Fourie encourages you to dust off your bucket list and make the most of the summers you have left. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Today I’m going to share something that I have never shared on such a big platform before. I’m going [...]
Rory Nesbitt – The tale of many cancers
We hear how Rory Nesbitt was diagnosed with metastatic colon cancer that spread to his liver and lung, as well as prostate cancer. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Rory Nesbitt (74) lives in Gillitts, KwaZulu-Natal with his wife. They have three children and four [...]
Life Oncology
Life Oncology is moving oncology care forward so that you can look forward to life’s moments. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies At Life Oncology, part of the Life Healthcare group, our purpose is to make life better. We’re constantly innovating and seeking ways to improve patient [...]
Helen Fivelman – The beauty of life
Helen Fivelman shares how she is handling metastatic pancreatic cancer and how the diagnosis has made her more aware of the beauty of life. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Helen Fivelman (66) lives in Glenhazel, Gauteng. She is a widow and has one daughter and [...]
How is pancreatic cancer diagnosed?
Dr Daleen Geldenhuys explains the diagnostic process of exocrine pancreatic cancer. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Pancreatic cancer is one of the most feared cancers with an extremely poor prognosis. The best survival chance would be to diagnose the disease early and yet again [...]
How does a Whipple procedure cause diabetes?
Meagan Achteson, a dietitian, explains how diabetes develops after a Whipple procedure and offers guidelines to healthy eating thereafter. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies During a Whipple procedure (pancreaticoduodenectomy), the following are removed: part of the stomach, the small bowel (duodenum), the head of [...]
RESOURCES
This issue is definitely one to celebrate as we finally get to share the director of Breast Health Foundation, Louise Turner’s story. Read The healer and teacher to find out about the path that led her where she is today.
In the 2024 Big C Survivor’s Guide, we focus on preparing for treatment; as we are well aware of the anxiety and overwhelming emotions that come part and parcel with a cancer diagnosis and facing treatment.
Thank you to the great group of healthcare experts who have shared their knowledge from their respected medical fields and much gratitude to the advertisers who have come onboard to support our 2024 Big C Survivor’s Guide booklet.
We still have The Big C Online Directory to help you find any A-Z listing of all things cancer related.