This issue we are excited to have a big focus on haematology. Our cover story is of Pieter Le Roux, who had acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, and how his diagnosis set his path of making beautifulĀ Life connections. To understand this blood cancer, Dr Karen Gunther writesĀ How is ALL diagnosed?
Colin Smith, who had a relapse of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, shares his storyĀ The battle of the two Cs, saying recovery from COVID has been harder. We also learn aboutĀ Living with diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, thanks to Dr Garrick Laudin.
To honour Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and all the children who are no longer with us, Bonni Suckling, writes her beautiful, heart-breaking story,Ā Forever 2442 days old, of her losing her son, Jed, to brain cancer.
Another informative article that deserves a special mention is that of Comfort Maluleke;Ā Originator brands vs genericsĀ gives a clever analogy of a chocolate cake recipe to understand the differences between these medications.
Laurelle Williams
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IN THIS ISSUE
Stop, ground, and refocus
Knowing how to calm yourself through your senses is an easy way to stop your anxious thoughts. Sandra Bollen-Hughes expands on how to: stop, ground, and refocus. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Here or there?Ā The human brain is unique on the animal spectrum [...]
Forever 2442 days old
This is my journey with my son, Jed Brady Suckling; forever 2442 days old. Anaplastic astrocytoma, brain cancer. My son fought for 1071 days of his life. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Bonni Suckling (50) lives in Randburg, Gauteng with herĀ precious fur-babies.Ā The last [...]
The role of adjuvant chemotherapy
Dr Karisha Quarrie, Life Healthcareās Head of Clinical Directorate, explains the significance of adjuvant chemotherapy, a post-surgery therapy, in safeguarding against cancer recurrence and enhancing survival rates. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Adjuvant chemotherapy, alsoĀ known as preventative chemotherapy, stands as a vital component in [...]
Louis Wilson – Life will carry on
A year after Louis Wilson had brachytherapy to treat prostate cancer, he underwent cryoablation to treat a newly diagnosed primary kidney cancer. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Louis Wilson (74) and his wife, Pam, live in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal.Ā In February 2023, Louis was diagnosed [...]
Flippinā Fantastic Flapjacks
This isnāt your average stack of pancakes. Weāre taking fluffy, golden flapjacks to the next level by supercharging them with LIFEGAINĀ® Advanced Nutritional Supplement. Thatās right, these flapjacks are designed to tantalise your taste buds and support your overall well-being. Servings: 4 (1 flapjack per serving) Ingredients: 5 Total time: 10 ā 12 minutes Ingredients [...]
Differentiated thyroid cancer in SA
Dr Hunadi Molabe shares an overview of differentiated thyroid cancer in South Africa. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Thyroid cancer, particularly differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), represents the most common typeĀ of endocrine malignancy globally.Ā DTC includes papillary and follicular thyroid cancers, which generally haveĀ a favourable [...]
Pieter Le Roux – Life connections
Pieter Le Roux shares how his leukaemia diagnosis steered his counselling career into making valuable life connections and how he sees this as what lifeĀ is all about.Ā You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Pieter Le Roux (44) lives in Helderkruin, Gauteng. He is a cat [...]
How is acute lymphoblastic leukaemia diagnosed?
Dr Karen Gunther, a clinical haematologist, explains how acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is diagnosed. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is a malignancy of immature lymphoid cells. These live in the lymph glands, circulate in the blood,Ā and stay in the bone marrow [...]
Living with diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Dr Garrick Laudin unpacks diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma and how such a diagnosis may impact your life. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies What is diffuse large B-cellĀ non-Hodgkin lymphoma? The umbrella term, large B-cell lymphoma, encompasses diffuseĀ large B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (DLBCL) as one of [...]
Colin Smith – The battle of the two Cs
Despite a relapse in 2021, eight years after his initial diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, Colin Smith says recovering from COVID has been worse than his recurring blood cancer. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Colin Smith (70) lives in Johannesburg, Gauteng withĀ his wife. They [...]
Living with immune thrombocytopenic purpura
Dr Zeenat Moorad helps us understand why the bleeding disorder immune thrombocytopenic purpura occurs and the treatment options available. What is immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)? ITP is a rare bleeding disorder that increases with age with a slight female preponderance. Itās characterised by a decrease in the number of platelets in the blood, known as [...]
SEPTEMBER IS PROSTATE CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
Originator brands vs generics
Comfort Maluleke, senior case manager at Campaigning for Cancer, offers guidance in understanding originator brands vs generics when navigating prostate cancer treatment. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Prostate cancer is a complexĀ and challenging disease that places significant emotional and mentalĀ strain on patients. According toĀ the [...]
Rev Kosie Loots – Unapologetically open
Reverend Kosie Loots shares how his faith, family, and friends pulled him through the toughest time of prostate cancer. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Reverend Kosie Loots (76) lives in Randburg, Gauteng with his wife,Ā Christine. They have twoĀ children and three grandchildren.Ā Regular check-ups I [...]
Diagnosis and radiation: what every man should know
Dr Shivona Moodley, a radiation oncologist, explains the diagnostic process as well as the role of radiation in prostate cancer. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Prostate cancer is a malignant disease that starts in the prostateĀ gland. Many patients are asymptomatic at the time of [...]
RESOURCES
In the 2024 Big C Survivorās Guide, weĀ 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 Survivorās Guide booklet.
We still have The Big C Online Directory to help you find any A-Z listing of all things cancer related.