We are so excited to present the Feb-March issue. Our theme is The language of love and as we know “Love makes the world go round” and when facing a cancer diagnosis, love can make all the difference. We see this in Albert Kokota’s story, Family – where love never ends, how his family stood by him once diagnosed with multiple myeloma.
To help us understand exactly what multiple myeloma is, Dr Lucille Sarah Singh explains The maladies of multiple myeloma. Staying with haematology, Dr Philippa Ashmore answers the question Is there hope for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia patients?
The second winners of the Exceptional Nurse competition have been annouced. Congratulations to Sister Sinah Mokale and breast cancer survivor, Lizzy Kodisang. Their energetic love for each other translates beautifully in Ntja – my dog, my buddy.
It was a great honour to interview Prof Lynette Denny who was awarded the Order of the Baobab last year. Read more about her achievement in Cervical cancer researcher awarded.
We also look at ovarian cancer with Dr Trudy Smith educating us on the Advances in treating ovarian cancer. Plus, a helpful ovarian cancer patient journey.
Hope you enjoy this issue as much as we enjoyed putting it together.
Laurelle Williams
[email protected]
Cover photo by LuciaB Photography | Facebook @luciabphoto
Venue: French Toast – Visit frenchtoast.co.za
IN THIS ISSUE
Ovarian Cancer Patient Journey
Here is a patient journey to help show you what your treatment may look like if you are diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Click here to download a PDF of the ovarian cancer patient journey. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies References American Cancer Society (ACS). [...]
Albert Kokota – Family – where love never ends
Having solid family support when diagnosed with cancer goes a long way. We hear how Albert Kokota’s family supported him when he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Albert Kokota (57) lives in Rustenburg, North West Province with his wife, Naomi. They have three children and two grandchildren. At the beginning of last year, Albert experienced swelling in his [...]
Advances in treating ovarian cancer
Dr Trudy Smith tells us more about how ovarian cancer is diagnosed and the new advances in treatment. Ovarian cancer (OC) is the third most common cancer of the reproductive organs, following cervical and uterine cancer. It usually affects women between the ages of 50 and 70 and although possible, rarely affects women below age [...]
Cervical cancer researcher awarded the Order of the Baobab
Prof Lynnette Denny, Head of Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Groote Schuur Hospital and University of Cape Town, was awarded the Order of the Baobab last year November. We find out what this means to her and more about her research. Prof Lynette Denny (64) lives in Greenpoint, Cape Town. Order of the Baobab [...]
The maladies of multiple myeloma
Dr Lucille Sarah Singh sheds lights on how multiple myeloma affects the body and why indefinite follow-ups are needed. Mention breast or lung cancer and people generally know what it means: a cancer starting in the breast or in the lungs. However, mention multiple myeloma (MM) and most people have no frame of reference. Is there an organ [...]
HPV vaccination in SA
Prof Lynette Denny advocates that HPV vaccination has the capacity to eliminate cancers associated with HPV and will save literally millions of lives thus it should be strongly supported. There are multiple types of human papillomavirus (HPV) that have been identified over the years (more than 200) but most types are associated with benign disease, [...]
Is there new hope for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia patients?
Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is at the forefront of immunotherapy. With these new and emerging treatments, substantially more effective therapies both upfront and at relapse are becoming a reality, both internationally and in SA. Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is an aggressive cancer of the blood and bone marrow that if untreated results in death in a matter [...]
Pam Chetty – From caregiver to teacher
Pam Chetty speaks about being an oncology and haematology nurse and her passion of sharing knowledge with colleagues. Pam Chetty (55) lives in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. She is divorced and has an adult son. At the age of 16, Pam knew she was going to care of the sick. “I lost a loved one to cancer and that [...]
Ntja – My dog, my buddy
Senior oncology nurse, Sister Sinah Mokale, is the second winner of our Exceptional Nurse competition. She was nominated by Lizzy Kodisang, a breast cancer survivor. They each win a two-night midweek stay for two at Sun City’s Cabanas Hotel, including breakfast. The patient Lizzy Kodisang (45) lives in Ennerdale, Gauteng with her husband. They have two children and [...]
We learn how nutritional support can help manage side effects during cancer treatment.
RESOURCES
The Feb/March issue of Buddies For Life features Andre and Hillary Frans’ and how the love for each other was reignited when Super Survivor, Hillary, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Cecile Booth unpacks The five love languages and how they play a role in the support you get from family and friends. Lara Noik writes another brilliant piece The world of fear and the world of love. Breast cancer survivor, Babette Labuschagne, speaks candidly about What not to say to a breast cancer patient while Dr Dirk Steyn elaborates on Bone health in breast cancer patients and Discovery Health educates on The ins and outs of the oncology benefit.
Word For Word Media are proud to present a new navigational concept, The 2022 Big Survivor’s Guide, to assist you, the patient, through the strenuous times and guide you through all the humps and bumps and prepare you with the many questions you need answered. Let’s walk and talk through diagnosis, treatment and survivorship.
We still have The Big C Online Directory to help you find any A-Z listing of all things cancer related.