The fact that you are reading this means that we all got through the year, and we managed to complete the last issue of 2024; now it’s time to Rest, Breathe, and Receive. If you have seen the cover, you will know that this issue exceeds magical beauty and real-life inspiration. When we look at our two Cancer Warriors, Nonhlanhla Ramuhala and Alastair Armstrong, our hearts can only beam with pride and tears well up in our eyes. Sharing both of their stories is such a privilege. Read how Nonhlanhla is Coming out of hiding after losing her nose to skin cancer and how Alastair’s Heart of Steel attitude pushed him to get back on a bike and race as a paraathlete.
We also applaud Right to Care for advocating that males get circumcised to lower the risk of their female partners developing cervical cancer(Circumcision lowers risk of cervical cancer) and thank Reach For A Dream’s Laughter Heroes for sharing The gift of giggles with children undergoing cancer treatment.
We love the wisdom offered in Melody Fourie’s articles Healing words, say them and Honouring yourself daily. Please do these practices throughout the holidays so by the time the new year is here, you are the best version of yourself.
Thank you for a great year buddies.
Laurelle Williams
[email protected]
IN THIS ISSUE
Nonhlanhla Ramuhala – Coming out of hiding
After losing her nose due to skin cancer, Nonhlanhla Ramuhala has decided to come out of hiding and face the world. She shares how she got to this place of acceptance. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Nonhlanhla Ramuhala (53) stays in Meyerton, Gauteng. She is married with three [...]
Alastair Armstrong – Heart of steel
Twenty-two years after successful osteosarcoma treatment, Alastair Armstrong underwent an amputation due to ongoing infections caused by an internal prothesis. Despite this, he has won many SA titles competing as a paracyclist. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Alastair Armstrong (58) lives in Lanseria, Gauteng with his [...]
Kathryn Wright – A surreal dream
Kathryn Wright was diagnosed with three primary cancers at once: two different breast cancers and lung cancer. She shares what she calls a surreal dream. Kathryn Wright (69) lives in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland). She is a recent widow and has three children and six grandchildren. Early in 2017, at the age of 62, Kathryn noticed [...]
Suzette Jasmin – Recovery from kidney cancer surgery
Suzette Jasmin shares how Lifegain Advanced Nutritional Supplement helped her recovery after kidney cancer surgery. Suzette Jasmin (61) stays in Johannesburg, Gauteng. She is divorced and has four children. In August 2012, Suzette was diagnosed with kidney cancer. This came after consulting a urologist her GP referred her to as she had symptoms of blood [...]
Kidney cancer – More hope than ever
Dr Sylvia Rodrigues expands on why there is more hope than ever when looking at the treatment options for kidney cancer. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Kidney cancer is a significant health concern worldwide. It originates in the cells of the kidneys (two bean-shaped [...]
Briony Alexander – Living with the after-effects
Although Briony Alexander has been in remission for 29 years from nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC), it’s still an ongoing challenge as she lives with the after-effects of the cancer treatment every day. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies What is NPC? Nasopharyngeal cancer is a rare head and neck cancer. The [...]
Honouring yourself daily
Mel Fourie suggests ancient wellness practices to focus on yourself and give yourself the honour you deserve. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies The modern world is moving to a different rhythm. Our ancestor’s lives were slower and they lived in tune with natural cycles [...]
The gift of giggles
We learn how Reach For A Dream’s Laughter Hero Programme is sharing the gift of giggles with children undergoing cancer treatment. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies In addition to essential medical interventions, psychological and emotional care plays a vital role in helping children with cancer [...]
Circumcision lowers risk of cervical cancer
Dr Khumbulani Moyo advocates why men should undergo circumcision to lower the risk of their female partners developing cervical cancer. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women in SA with sixteen South African women dying from [...]
Hope for patients with locally advanced cervical cancer
Dr Shivona Moodley explains the standard treatment options for cervical cancer and highlights new research findings in treating advanced cervical cancer. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer affecting South African women after breast cancer but is the leading cause [...]
How is osteosarcoma diagnosed?
Dr Cathryn Walton helps us understand the diagnostic process of osteosarcoma and treatment options thereof. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Osteosarcoma is a rare malignant tumour of bone that comprises 1% of all cancers diagnosed. Of all the new diagnoses of osteosarcomas, 50% of those [...]
Healing words, say them
Mel Fourie shares insight into the magic of healing words and the profound effect they have on your life. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies It’s estimated that there are more than 7 000 languages in the world, with South Africa celebrating the art of [...]
Chemo ports 101
Dr Daleen Geldenhuys gives us a rundown on chemo ports 101, explaining how they work, who should get them, and the insertion and removal process. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies A chemotherapy port (chemo port) is a small device placed under the skin in the [...]
What is chemo belly?
Dr Sarita Retief explains what chemo belly is, what it could be caused from, and how it would be treated. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Chemo belly is a non-medical term for discomfort, bloating, and abdominal distension that some people experience when having chemotherapy. [...]
What is better – UV clothing or sunscreen?
The simple answer is both; Dr Rakesh Newaj, a dermatologist, goes into detail explaining the protective factors of UV clothing and sunscreen You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Protecting yourself from sun exposure is crucial for reducing the risk of skin cancers and minimising photoaging. To [...]
RESOURCES
The Dec 2024-Jan 2025 issue is time to Rest, Breathe, and Receive. And this is just what our Super Survivor, Julieth Motsomi, has decided to do as she goes into retirement at the end of the year. After losing three family members in a space of six months, Julieth had to face a breast cancer diagnosis. She shares that There is life after loss and cancer.
The 2025 Big C Survivor’s Guide: How is it diagnosed?
This year we have focused on the diagnostic procedures of various cancers (solid tumours, blood cancers, and childhood cancers) to help you understand what tests will be done, why they are done, and which doctors are likely to do them, as well as the referral pathway. Our hope is that this will outline what you can expect.
Check out other Big C Survivor Guides
We still have The Big C Online Directory to help you find any A-Z listing of all things cancer related.