Patient Stories | Oncology Buddies your guide to cancer care

Bile Duct Cancer Nicole Coppin – Six years’ cancer-free

Feb 8, 2023 Word for Word Media

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Single mother, Nicole Coppin, shares her story of having periampullary adenocarcinoma (a bile and pancreatic duct cancer). What is periampullary carcinoma? Periampullary carcinoma is a broad term used to define the group of carcinomas arising from the head of the pancreas, the distal common bile duct, and the first part of the small intestine. Nicole Coppin (46) lives in Edenvale, Gauteng with her 14-year-old son, Joey. In March 2016, it was found that Nicole had a tumour around her bile and pancreatic duct; this was after…

Kidney Cancer Riaan Baatjies – I belong here and now

Feb 8, 2023 Word for Word Media

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When Riaan Baatjies got his warrior-themed tattoo, in 2016, little did he know that for the rest of his life he would be a warrior, facing Stage 4 kidney cancer. He shares how he grappled with mortality but most of all is striving to be a better version of himself. Riaan Baatjies (47) lives in Discovery, Gauteng with his wife, Joselyn, and two children, aged 23 and 18. In October 2017, Riaan was at work when he used the bathroom and urinated blood. “It wasn’t sore…

Of the rare kind Wilma Newhoudt-Druchen – Few and far between

Nov 29, 2022 Word for Word Media

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Wilma Newhoudt-Druchen shares her plight of trying to find other survivors of choroidal melanoma, a rare eye cancer that she was diagnosed with. Wilma Newhoudt-Druchen (59) lives in the Western Cape with her husband. They have two children (24 and 22). Delayed eye test Due to COVID Wilma didn’t go for her eye test screening for new spectacles for two years so this year she decided to go. “The optometrist struggled to find a reading for my right eye but told me to choose a spectacle frame while he tested my husband. He tested my eyes again but still struggled to…

Lung Cancer Making peace with my new lifestyle

Nov 28, 2022 Word for Word Media

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Mother of two, Rene Abdullah, tells us how she handled the loss of her career as a personal trainer after being diagnosed with EGFR positive non-small cell lung cancer. Rene Abdullah (52) lives in Bryanston, Gauteng with her husband and two children. Diagnosis Rene was diagnosed with Stage 2 EGFR positive non-small cell lung cancer in February 2010. “I was in Cape Town on holiday and started having a persistent cough. After two courses of antibiotics, I was still coughing. It was suggested that I have a chest X-ray; a small nodule on the lower lobe of my left lung was found….

Patient Stories Ronél Rabé – Face Value

Nov 28, 2022 Word for Word Media

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Ronél Rabé shares the after effects of having two surgeries and radiation to remove basal cell carcinoma (skin cancer) from her left cheek. Ronél Rabé (58) lives in Krugersdorp, Gauteng with her husband, Frik. They have twin daughters (26). Dry patch of skin In September 2018, Ronél noticed a dry patch of skin on her left cheek. “I thought it was caused from the material of my pillow. For months, I would put cream on and it would clear up but then it would flare up again. Then Frik said it’s looking bad as it was becoming a red sore so told me to go to…

Patient Stories Where are they now?

Oct 1, 2022 Word for Word Media

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We catch up with four of our Cancer Warriors to see where they are now after overcoming cancer.

Lawrence Brittain (31) lives in Johannesburg, Gauteng with his wife. Lawrence was the first Cancer Warrior to be featured on the cover of Oncology Buddies. Since winning a silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics after having Hodgkin lymphoma, he continued his rowing career, picking up great results at local and international level by representing SA every year. The 31-year-old has taken an extended break from professional sport and is trying his hand in business. “I have a carpentry workshop, Simply Divine Carpentry, where we…

Lung Cancer Trish Blackburn – Que sera, sera

Oct 1, 2022 Word for Word Media

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Metastatic lung cancer survivor, Trish Blackburn, tells us why she avoids gloom and doom doctors and how she keeps on pushing on. Trish Blackburn (57) lives in Sandringham, Gauteng with her husband, Chris. They have three adult sons and one grandchild. In November 2020, Trish experienced pain in the area of her kidneys and had shortness of breath. Since COVID was rife at this time, she went for many COVID tests, but they were negative. When the pain became unbearable, she went to hospital and was admitted. After a scan, a lung biopsy was performed. “That biopsy isn’t recommended for sissies,”…

Neuroendocrine Cancer Masesi Ndaba – The breakthrough

Oct 1, 2022 Word for Word Media

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After a year and a half of Masesi Ndaba being in and out of hospital and told there is nothing wrong with her, she was finally diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer. She details this taxing journey. Masesi Ndaba (36) lives in Fleurhof, Gauteng with her partner and two daughters, aged 14 and six. Misdiagnosis after misdiagnosis Masesi first started experiencing chest pains in 2018. Her GP diagnosed it as acid reflux. ‘I was on medication for this for the longest time, but the chest pain only got worse,” she says. “I then got severe headaches and the doctor thought I had a skin allergy as I…

Patient Stories Andreas’ journey of hope

Jul 29, 2022 Word for Word Media

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Andreas Kleynhans was first diagnosed with prostate cancer and then oesophageal cancer. He explains that how you think about your cancer determines your experience, adding that he decided to make something positive of it. Andreas Kleynhans (54) lives in Linden, Gauteng. Prostate cancer In March 2021, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer (Grade 1, slow-growing, small) after a routine check-up as I had an enlarged prostate for a few years already; active surveillance was advised. Seven months later, it had metastasised to my hip bone and was Grade 4. This was devastating news as I learnt that this type of cancer…

Patient Stories Emma-Liegh Riggien – Eternally grateful to be a survivor

Jul 29, 2022 Word for Word Media

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Emma-Liegh Riggien shares how she underwent limb-saving surgery when she was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma at age 15. Emma-Liegh Riggien (28) lives in Hillcrest, Kwa-Zulu Natal. Diagnosed at 15 Emma was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma when she was 15 years old. “For 18 months prior to being diagnosed, I couldn’t straighten my left arm but we never though anything of it until it started to hurt when being pulled straight,” Emma explains. “I was at a Halloween party where we were all dancing and someone pulled my arm straight and it hurt so badly. At about midnight my dad, Philip, took me…

Patient Stories Genevivé Roxmouth – Crown of glory

Jun 1, 2022 Word for Word Media

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With the most magnificent and longest red hair, Genevivé Roxmouth shares her story of finding her crown of glory once diagnosed with synovial sarcoma.

Genevivé Roxmouth (34) lives in Krugersdorp, Gauteng with her second husband, Harry, and her son, Hendrik (12). Diagnosed at 24 In 2012, Genevivé started losing weight and had a cough. “Having a little child, you try and keep the medical aid for them. So, I medicated myself at home by taking cough syrup for about three months, but it didn’t help. I also started getting out of breath. Then one Saturday I coughed up blood….

Patient Stories Lincoln Chipembere – Making every shot count

Mar 24, 2022 Word for Word Media

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Despite Lincoln Chipembere having to delay his wedding due to a testicular cancer diagnosis, he took it in his stride with the extraordinary support of his fiancé. Lincoln Chipembere (29) lives in Midrand, Gauteng. Symptoms Last year May, Lincoln noticed swelling of one of his testicles, so he went to a GP. The doctor asked him if he played any sports to which Lincoln explained he played soccer recreationally, most Saturdays, with his friends. The doctor told him to avoid any sports as he thought it could be bruising and antibiotics were prescribed. However, when Lincoln went back for a follow-up, there was no…