Burnell Nagaya – The power of now

After loss and two cancer diagnoses, Burnell Nagaya is focused solely on the power of now and fully appreciating what the present offers.

Burnell Nagaya (45) lives in Alberton, Gauteng with his life partner, Pragashnie, and his daughter, Annsuri (18).

Testicular cancer

A year after Burnell’s wife passed away, in October 2021, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. He experienced a pain running up from his knee into his groin area, so he consulted a GP. The GP felt a lump in Burnell’s testicle and classified it as a hydrocele (fluid-filled sac that causes painless swelling or a lump in the scrotum). The GP referred him to a urologist.

The urologist also thought it was a hydrocele and advised surgery to drain it. “When I woke up, I had both the anaesthetist and urologist standing next to my bed. I was informed that what they thought was a small hydrocele turned out to be a golf-ball-sized cancerous tumour; testicular cancer. My whole testicle was removed,” Burnell explains.

Burnell was referred to an oncologist to start three and a half months of chemotherapy. “I had mixed emotions, but the oncologist reaffirmed that she would get me better, stating that testicular cancer is one of the cancers that is curable. She informed me that there would be days that were going to be rough and I’ll want to run away. She added that she could give me as much treatment as she wanted but at the end of the day, 95% of the fight would be my mind.”

Daughter: main driving force

“Having lost my wife a year before, my focus, motivation, and will power was (and still is) my daughter, who was 12 at the time. I was adamant to do everything I needed to ensure I was still around to care for her,” Burnell explains. “I remember she was shocked and scared when she heard the news, but I promised her, Baby, I will fight.” 

He recalls the bathroom being his best friend during chemotherapy. “It was easier to take my blanket and pillow to the bathroom and sleep there, and the struggle to find a vein everyday was constant. However, the support and encouragement I got from the oncologist and her team in that chemotherapy room was immeasurable. My advice is to never give up on the fight and always find something to fight for.”

Burnell finished chemotherapy and ensured he came for his follow-up appointments. 

“Even though I got this disease, it reaffirmed how grateful we need to be for the time we have got on earth. Every morning my feet hit the ground, I give  thanks that I’m still around. It doesn’t bother me that I only have one testicle; there is much more in life to be appreciative for.”

Thyroid cancer

For three years Burnell was diligent with his check-up appointments and thankfully so as, in August 2024, a full body CT scan and MRI picked up a lump in the left of his neck. 

He was sent for an ultrasound and then  a biopsy. The oncologist informed him that it didn’t look good, though the lump would need to be removed for a full biopsy to be done on it. It was confirmed as a new primary cancer: papillary thyroid cancer.

Burnell says, “The surgeon had a good sense of humour saying, What? The second time? You need to stop now. In times like this, you need to laugh.”

The tumour was removed with clear margins, and no further treatment was needed.

Interestingly, Burnell’s mother was diagnosed with a different type of thyroid cancer a year after his diagnosis. 

Many towers of strength

Pragashnie, who was a family friend, would check up on Burnell and his daughter after the passing of his wife. This led to a romantic relationship and a new support system that he would rely on heavily during both cancer journeys.

“She came with me to the first chemotherapy and has been a pillar of strength in so many ways. Another pillar of support was my friend, Gabriel; he would drive all the way from Florida to Alberton to take me to chemotherapy,” Burnell says.

He goes on to say that his employer and colleagues have become family and stood with him during his loss and both cancers. “Never once was my salary docked or the question of when will you be back but more, we want you back, out of care and love. My ex-manager, Peter Thomas, who  is now more of a family friend, was another tower of strength for me. And, of course, my mother and daughter. Pragashnie (my soul mate) and my daughter are my girls; they are the lights of my life.”

Passionate about music

Burnell doesn’t see himself as a creative person but has played the guitar since he was six years old, with a dream of getting into music full time. Even though he didn’t have the energy to play guitar during chemotherapy, his passion for music will forever be there. He brought everyone to tears singing a beautiful song during the photoshoot.

Being an avid reader, Burnell’s wise, self-aware, and reflective personality is apparent in the way he describes what the colour purple means to him. He sees purple as a means of restoration and a sign to overcome and of strength. 

“We need to remember that the body is meant to diminish and perish. But if we can keep our minds strong, that will take us further. I’m inspired by Eckhart Tolle’s book The Power of Now in that now is where we should be living and appreciate.

Laurelle Williams is the editor at Word for Word Media. She graduated from AFDA with a Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree in Live Performance. She has a love for storytelling and sharing emotions through the power of words. Write to [email protected]