Chenel Botha – With tears and laughter

Chenel Botha shares how her a metastatic vaginal cancer diagnosis has made her family closer, with tears and laughter.

Chenel Botha (49) lives in Alberton, Gauteng with her fiancé. She has two children (from her first marriages) and two grandchildren.

Chenel was diagnosed with vaginal cancer in October 2019. She experienced bleeding which came as a shock as she had a hysterectomy (only her ovaries remained) in 2012. “I had pelvic and back pain but kept brushing it off,” she says.

“I usually go for my annual gynae check-up in January, but it was July and I still hadn’t gone so the bleeding prompted me to make an appointment. A Pap smear was done; an abnormality was picked up and another Pap smear was needed in six weeks’ time. At the time, my mother was ill, and I was concentrating on her and just let the news slide but in my heart, I knew they found cancer. During the six weeks, I never told my family because I didn’t know how to process it.”

After the second Pap smear, Chenel was diagnosed with vaginal cancer and human papillomavirus (HPV). A biopsy was scheduled to find out what stage the cancer was; it was Stage 2B.  “I never even knew what HPV was and when I googled I was horrified it had happened to me,” Chenel recalls.

Complex landscape of feelings

Describing how she felt when hearing the news, Chenel responds, “I felt a sense of numbness and disbelief, struggling to accept the reality of the diagnosis. I kept thinking what did I do wrong? Did I cause this? I was worried about the future and the scariest would be the impact it would have on my loved ones. On the way home, I cried terribly because 

I didn’t know how I would tell them. How could I break their hearts with such terrible news? Every single emotion is woken up: sadness, anger, fear, and disbelief.”

Treatment and side effects

Treatment included chemotherapy, radiation (32 sessions), and two vaginal brachytherapy sessions. 

Chenel explains, “With chemo, I had extreme diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, mouth sores, metallic taste in my mouth, hair loss, and extreme fatigue. After every session, I was given a set of tablets for diarrhoea and nausea. 

I only ate with plastic utensils as stainless steel made the metallic taste worse. I drank lots of water as this flushed the drugs out quicker. Bed rest was essential.”

She continues, “The side effects of radiation were skin sensitivityand my skin became darker. I wasn’t allowed to use perfumed soaps as this causes more burning. More diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach cramps. Brachytherapy was a seesaw of constipation and diarrhoea, bleeding, burning after urination, and tiredness. Unfortunately, nothing was given; I was told to rest.”

Facing the awkwardness

Chenel explains that having vaginal cancer can lead to feelings of awkwardness or unease, both physically and emotionally. “The diagnosis and treatments affects the most intimate part of your body, which is challenging to navigate. Radiation and brachytherapy lead to vaginal narrowing, dryness, and discomfort during intercourse. These changes make sexual activity painful and emotionally challenging. Vaginal dilators were recommended to help maintain vaginal elasticity, reduce pain, and were necessary for future checkups.”

She adds, “I had honest conversations with my partner about these changes. Thankfully, my relationship was strengthened, and it alleviated any misunderstandings.”

Spread to Stage 4

In 2023, after a checkup, Chenel was informed the cancer had spread to Stage 4. Since then, she has had further chemotherapy and radiation to reduce the tumours. She has recently completed her second radiation regimen since the spread.

“When the cancer progressed to Stage 4, my family found a renewed sense of strength and unity. We faced each challenge together; one challenge was facing kidney disease due to complications of the cancer. I had two stents placed in my kidney two months ago. Our support includes both tears and laughter. This journey has brought us closer, teaching us the importance of resilience and love in the face of adversity. Now, as the cancer has spread to other parts of my body (neck and chest), we approach each new hurdle with unwavering strength. Our bond has deepened, and we are better equipped to handle whatever comes our way,” Chenel says.

Biggest lessons learnt

Chenel says, “In the early days I took what the doctors said as truth but as the years pass, I learnt the importance of advocating for my own health. Whether it’s seeking second opinions, requesting specific tests, and being proactive. It makes a significant difference.”

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