Faieza Arnold says she had to create a new normal in her life after being diagnosed with breast cancer.
The volunteer for Reach for Recovery, a non-profit organisation that helps breast cancer patients and their families, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004 and was declared cancer free in 2009.
She was part of a wellness morning run by the Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa) at the St George’s The Martyr Anglican Church in Silvertown on Saturday.
During the event, Cansa social worker Abeeda Steenkamp spoke about breast cancer warning signs, including lumps under the arm and in the breast, texture changes, thickening, dimpling, changes in shape or size of nipples or breasts, tenderness, discharge, rash or swelling, or one breast suddenly being slightly larger than the other.
The mornings are held once a month in various areas to educate the public about breast cancer.
“We are doing this to raise awareness. Early detection saves lives. It’s important for the public to know that we offer psycho-social services face to face or over the telephone and also go out to schools and speak about the dangers of tobacco, vaping, and hookah,” said Ms Steenkamp.
Cansa volunteer Mamakopo Mathebula said the programme also debunked myths about cancer.
“Depending on which area you live in, some people think only white people or only black people or only coloureds can get cancer, but everyone can,” she said.
Ms Arnold said Reach for Recovery sold prosthetic bras for R80 to patients at public hospitals and they also supported patients while they were in and out of hospital because cancer could be a lonely journey.
The organisation also provides breast-cancer patients with a bag to put their drainage-collection bag into following a mastectomy, a temporary breast prosthesis and an under-arm pad.
Ms Arnold said her struggle with cancer had left her depressed and anxious and she had found it hard to cope with the chemotherapy, which had caused nausea and hair loss among other side effects.
“I thought I was going to die. My body couldn’t handle it. I told the doctor that I couldn’t do the chemo anymore, and we gave it a break, but when I went for my fourth session, I felt worse. I couldn’t walk. It’s like my mind couldn’t put the one foot in front of the other.
“The doctor said I was suffering from anxiety and gave me depression tablets, but it made me worse. She told me to remain in a horizontal position. I just wanted a normal life, but I didn’t realise that I needed to create a new normal.
“I tried to focus on just living, but I was so depressed. I asked the doctor how long I had to live, but she didn’t know, and I was okay with dying – that’s how sick the treatment made me.
“There is no normal after cancer: you must create your own normal. I want to tell people to reach out for help. You have to balance your life and live a quality life. Build up your spirituality, eat well, exercise (I did some running), talk to people, help yourself, change your mindset. You don’t need to be positive all the time. Cry if you must.”