Patient Stories | Oncology Buddies your guide to cancer care

Lung Cancer Making peace with my new lifestyle

November 28, 2022 Word for Word Media

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

November 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?

October 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

October 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

October 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

July 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

July 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

June 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

March 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…

Multiple myeloma Albert Kokota – Family – where love never ends

February 4, 2022 Word for Word Media

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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 right ankle and pain between his ribs. He went to his GP who noticed that he was pale and decided to do a blood test. In the meantime, the GP prescribed an anti-inflammatory. With the results of the blood test showing low haemoglobin levels; the GP referred him…

Cervical Cancer Boitumelo Makhathini – Dealing with early stage cervical cancer

December 2, 2021 Word for Word Media

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Mother of three, Boitumelo Makhathini, shares how she learnt she had early stage cervical cancer this year and advocates for young girls to get vaccinated and women to go for regular check-ups. Boitumelo Makhathini (44) is divorced and lives in Randfontein, Gauteng with her three children (22,13,10). In late February this year, Boitumelo started having abdominal pain and was bleeding. “At first, I thought it was just my menstrual cycle, even though it was abnormal bleeding. Then I thought it was a bladder infection so I consulted my GP; he gave me antibiotics and pain killers, however, it continued. I saw him twice…

Lung Cancer Millicent Mavhungu – Grateful for every day

October 1, 2021 Word for Word Media

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Having survived COVID while in hospital after being diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer, Millicent Mavhungu is grateful to her doctors for saving her life. Millicent Mavhungu (48) lives in Vosloorus, Gauteng with her husband, Doctor, and their three children. In November 2020, Millicent’s legs were swollen and sore. She went to her GP and he treated her for arthritis, giving her an injection and oral tablets. She started to work again but felt very weak and had shortness of breath. “I thought it was COVID, but the test results came back negative.” A week later, Millicent collapsed at home and was rushed…