My Story Archives

Multiple myeloma Living with an incurable cancer

March 20, 2019 Word for Word Media

Though Fareed Bruintjies’ (47) story encompasses just about everything that can go wrong in a cancer survivor’s journey, he’s emerged more determined than ever to do battle with his persistent illness. With Fareed’s diagnosis, of multiple myeloma, carrying a median survival rate of four years, he accidentally bumped into a patient who’d survived the same cancer for 12 years in the chemotherapy room. That woman, 11 years his senior, had undergone multiple treatments for 10 years. He realised that there was strength in the support of fellow survivors. Her very existence confirmed the hope he’d picked up on, in…

Cervical Cancer A survivor, through and through

February 5, 2019 Word for Word Media

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Angelinah Matimolane tells us how an asthma attack ultimately led to the discovery of cervical cancer, then how that spread to her stomach, and how 13 years later she is still fighting fit. Angelinah (Angy) Matimolane (47) lives in Soweto with her husband, daughter and three grandchildren. Strong family history of cancer There is a strong family history of cancer in Angy’s family. One member passed away from cervical cancer while another member passed away from lung cancer. Angy’s brother passed away from stomach cancer, in 2016, and, currently her uncle is fighting lymphoma cancer. January 2006 On the way back…

Patient Stories On a mission – Ronnie Nkabinde

December 3, 2018 Word for Word Media

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There is no stopping prostate cancer survivor and CanSurvive director, Ronnie Nkabinde. He is on a mission to take prostate cancer awareness and supports groups to underprivileged areas. Ronnie Nkabinde (66) lives in Crystal Park, Benoni, Gauteng. He is divorced and has four children and four grandchildren. Family history of cancer When Ronnie was diagnosed with prostate cancer, in June 2016, he was not too shocked as both his parents had had cancer. His mother (87) is a cervical cancer survivor; she was diagnosed in her forties and his father was diagnosed with prostate cancer in his eighties. His…

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma This is how I fight my battles – Adri De Bruin

September 26, 2018 Word for Word Media

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Adri De Bruin tells us why strong is the new beautiful, especially when you are diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Adri De Bruin (56) lives with her husband, Jan, in Mulbarton, Gauteng. They have an adult son, who lives in Australia. Diagnosis after family deaths The year 2017 was an extremely difficult year for Adri. Her mom was ill, she had Alzheimer’s, and after a series of complications she passed away in October. Then in November, Adri’s brother-in-law also passed away. At the time, Adri told her sister she felt like someone was strangling her as she was experiencing extreme pressure around…

Bladder Cancer Thirty-one years later after bladder cancer

July 27, 2018 Word for Word Media

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Annie Izzard was given six months to live when she was diagnosed with bladder cancer in 1987. Thirty-one years later, she is fighting fit and even completed The Comrades Marathon in 2000. Annie Izzard (76) lives in Kloof, Kwa-Zula Natal with her husband Michael. She has two stepchildren and five granddaughters. Scotland, 1987 Annie was 45 years old when she noticed blood in her urine. The loss of blood was so bad that one day she passed out. She was rushed to the gynaecology ward at a hospital as it was thought she needed a hysterectomy. Though after numerous…

Childhood Cancer Lives to play

June 1, 2018 Word for Word Media

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We hear how superhero, Lofentse Buthelezi, became the victor over childhood cancer. Lofentse Buthelezi (8) stays in Mondeor, Gauteng with his parents, Sithuli and Masetshego, and his baby sister. On the day of the interview, Lofentse plays outside. He told his father, Sithuli, beforehand that he wants to be outdoors with his friends so Sithuli must rather answer the questions. This is perfectly normal behaviour for an energetic eight-year-old, but most of all it shows that the little superhero is catching up on lost playing time. Diagnosed at age 5 Ironically, it was a fall off the jungle gym, at…

Patient Stories When losses become gains – Andy Grant

June 1, 2018 Word for Word Media

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Andy Grant tells us about losing his mother to leukaemia at the age of 12, losing his lower limb while serving as a Royal Marine in Afghanistan, becoming the fastest one-legged amputee in the world over 10km, and wining gold at the 2014 Invictus Games.

Andy Grant (29) lives in Liverpool, United Kingdom. He has one child, Alba. When Andy was told his lower limb had to be amputated in 2010, due to stepping on an improvised explosive device (IED) while serving in Afghanistan as a Royal Marine in 2009, his mind-set was, ‘It can’t…

Breast Cancer Love of a very rare find – David and Beulah Jankelowitz

March 26, 2018 Word for Word Media

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We speak to married couple, David and Beulah Jankelowitz, about how their marriage survived a breast- and a prostate cancer diagnosis, and after 54 years is still going strong. David (79) and Beulah (76) Jankelowitz live in Krugersdorp, Gauteng. They have three children and six grandchildren and will celebrate their emerald (55 years) wedding anniversary this July. Autumn18 10 Beulah’s breast cancer It is hard to fathom that when Beulah was diagnosed with lobular breast cancer in 1987, at the age of 45, she never knew a thing about the disease. Thirty-one years later,…

Cervical Cancer Sisters fight cervical cancer simultaneously

March 26, 2018 Word for Word Media

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It’s hard to imagine that cervical cancer affected the lives of two sisters in the same year, and in very different ways. Sisters, Alrita Groenewald and Tessa Supra, share their rare but moving story. The younger sister Alrita (41) was given less than 30% chance of survival, while her sister Tessa Supra (46) chose to silently carry the burden of her subsequent diagnosis. Alrita’s cervical cancer diagnosis comes just after giving birth to her third child. In January 2015, Alrita, then six months pregnant, complained to her gynaecologist of excruciating back pain. Prevented from taking strong medication due to…

Patient Stories The voice within – Cynthia Rawcliffe

February 7, 2018 Word for Word Media

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Cynthia Rawcliffe speaks about the highs and lows of her thyroid cancer diagnosis.

Cynthia Rawcliffe (48) lives in Athlone, Cape Town. She has a 19-year-old daughter. Struggling to breathe In March 2014, Cynthia was often short of breath. She would sleep in a sitting position as this eased her breathing. Her GP diagnosed her with asthma. A week later, she was rushed to the hospital. After numerous tests, she was told it was a lung infection caused by her smoking. It was only two days later that one doctor detected a mass in her neck. She underwent a…